District Directors are volunteers nominated by local, countywide organizations and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Their responsibilities range from policy creation to supporting efforts of district staff and their partner agencies to provide quality administrative, technical, and educational assistance to all county residents who request it.
  • Chairman / Farmer Director - Ray Warriner
Ray is a fourth generation farmer at Agawam Farms at Elk Lake. Currently they grow hay and raise replacement heifers. Over the years many conservation practices have been installed on this beautiful farm. Ray has two daughters and a son with whom he loves to spend time. As a hobby he enjoys antique tractors especially John Deeres.
  • Public Director - Curt Hepler 
Curt has a wide range of experience for the district as he taught at Blue Ridge school district for 37 years until retirement in 2001. Curt purchased his farm in 1981 and started his beef herd at that time to over 150 head presently. He is in partnership with his son Brian and Grandson Ben at Hepler Beef. They are proud to provide quality, full flavored Beef to their valued customers. Curt practices best management practices and is a valuable member of our board.
  • Commissioner Director - MaryAnn Warren 
MaryAnn became our Commissioner Director in January 2004, and has a keen interest in our district.  Prior to her election as Commissioner, MaryAnn served as director of the Chamber of Commerce for 6 years.  MaryAnn and her husband Tom have two sons, Brad and Matt.  MaryAnn also volunteers for The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
  • Farmer Director - Jim Kessler
After 40 years as the Service Forester in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, Jim has found lots of ways to stay busy. This Penn State graduate is on the board of directors for the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Woodbourne Sanctuary, Cooperative Extension, and Camp Lackawanna. A Rotarian and Master Gardener, Jim is very active in the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association. Jim and Jan Kessler have four grown children. Besides operating Kessler’s Christmas Tree Farm, Jim enjoys travel, hunting, cross country skiing and woodworking.
  • Farm Director - Brian Severcool
Brian comes to the District with a career in logging. He has been active in the forests for 32 years. Brian and his wife Charlotte have two daughters-Kelly and Tracy. In his spare time he restores vintage Fords. He has a special weakness for 1958 to 1964 models. 
  • Public Director - Bill Bayne 
Bill was born in Philadelphia PA and raised in South Jersey in a township that went from 2,000 population in 1950 to 17,000 in 1970. He spent much of his childhood summers in rural McKean County PA. Bill started building his house in 1972 and moved to Liberty Township full time in 1976. Bill has been a Township Supervisor for over 20 years. Has worked on several “Dirt and Gravel Road” Projects. He has worked with the Conservation District, DEP, Army Corp. on several bridge and creek projects. He has been part of many programs and committees such as the Township Recycling Program, “SWAC” (solid waste advisory committee) and RESWAP (Recycling Solid Waste Panel), and the Susquehanna County Forest Landowners Association. Bill went to all six school districts in Susquehanna County and two in Wyoming county to talk to 3rd-7th grade students about Forestry and Conservation issues. Bill enjoys gardening, cutting firewood and being outdoors.
  • Public Director - Andrew Gardner 
Andrew has been a resident of the Borough of Thompson, Susquehanna County since 1988, when he and his wife moved from Brooklyn, New York. He has been on the Stewardship Committee of The Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve (TNC) in Thompson Township since 1989, and is currently Chairman of that committee. Over the years the Committee has created boardwalks, new trails, an observation tower, two parking lots, in addition to a regular trail maintenance program and regularly scheduled guided walks. The Stewardship Committee in conjunction The Nature Conservancy is currently planning the Native Tree Project in which specimens of all native trees will be planted in abandoned hay fields along PA 171 just north of the Borough of Thompson. He is also on the committee for the “Cronlund-Slocum Conservation Fund” that annually presents awards to promising high school graduates who are going into environmental sciences. He has served on the Council of the Borough of Thompson for 25 years and is currently President of the Council. During his tenure on Council he was involved with the planning, preparing and implementation of the Borough’s ACT 537 wastewater management plan, resulting in the installation of the current 30,000 gallon SBR treatment plant that serves most of the Borough today. He is currently on the steering committee of the Susquehanna Clean Air Network (SCAN), and a member of the Thompson Boosters. The Borough of Thompson was a recipient of a grant from the Urban Forestry Project several years ago and was able to plant 75 trees over a two-year period. All but two trees are thriving today. Andrew is an avid vegetable gardener has had an organic garden since 1989.
  • Public Director - Bill Burke
  • Farmer Director - Ben Hoover​

Associate Directors

  • Edgar Warriner
Edgar grew up on Agawam Farms at Elk Lake driving John Deere 2-Cylinder tractors and throwing hay. His late father Bob was, and now his brother Ray is very active in applying conservation practices to this beautiful farm. He, along with his wife Lisa, founded Elk Advisors Group; a firm that specializes in small business advising, executive coaching, and leadership development. Edgar also serves on the boards of The Susquehanna County Library, The Montrose Club, Montrose Little League, and the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce. Edgar has three sons and one daughter and very much enjoys spending time with them in their various activities.
  • Doug Wood
Doug is a lifelong county resident. After working 24 years at IBM, in 2005 he started a lawncare business. Interest include hunting, fishing, and raising beef cattle. He recently started managing his forest property for timber harvest.
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  • Lillian Theophanis 
Lillian served as Manager of the conservation district for 29 years. Lillian developed many of the partnerships for the district. Lillian is also a founding member of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, as well as an active member of PACD.
  • Denny O'Reilly Jr
  • ​Matt Neenan