MEET THE STAFF
Kathy Phillips
Executive Director Assateague COASTKEEPER Kathy Phillips, a Worcester County, MD resident since 1971, came to ACT in 2007. She has extensive experience in advocacy and coalition building.
Trained and certified in water quality monitoring and pollution response, she has been providing a ‘voice’ for our coastal waters since 2006. |
Billy Weiland
Communications Billy joined ACT in the fall of 2017. A native of coastal Maryland, he holds a B.S in Earth and Atmospheric Science from Salisbury University, and an M.S in Geology, with a focus on Climate research from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Always in the water, with a passion for protecting coastal environments and connecting with nature, he oversees ACT's communications.
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Verena Chase
Coast Kids Director Verena has worked for ACT since 2005. She coordinates monthly events and the Nature Explorers summer camp, teaches environmental education classes, and manages the Coast Kids membership. Verena holds an MS in Environmental Protection from FH Bingen, Germany.
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Nicole Maskell
Administrative Manager Nicole joins Assateague Coastal Trust with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Baltimore and has several years of admin experience.
She oversees financial and administrative duties as well as assists with programs and events. |
MEET THE BOARD
im Rapp -President
Jim currently serves as director of the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center in Eden, Maryland. Prior to holding this post, he was the director of the Salisbury Zoo. Jim is the past president of the Assateague Coastal Trust, Wicomico Environmental Trust, Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. Jim enjoys birding and paddling in Delmarva's natural areas, where he has lived for 40+ years. He currently resides in Baltimore, where he enjoys exploring the city’s urban parks and trails with his daughter.
Roger LeMaster - Vice President
Roger is a Washington tax attorney and former association executive with extensive administrative, political and legal experience acquired through years of service with the U.S. Senate, major associations and leading law firms. Roger also maintains a second home on Chincoteague Island where he is actively involved in community service.
Eric Vinson - Treasurer
Eric has just joined the ACT Board in June 2019. A CPA, he is the owner of Vinson and Company, CPA in Berlin, MD and is passionate about the coastal watershed, enjoying sailing, diving and fishing. He brings many years of non-profit financial management expertise to the Board.
Tom Bickerstaff -Board Member
Tom is a retired regulatory life insurance actuary who brings years of managerial accounting experience to the ACT board. He enjoys sailing, kayaking and woodworking. Tom is also a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader at Community Church at Ocean Pines and additionally is a member of the Snow Hill Rotary Club in Rotary District 7630. He and wife Marian reside in Ocean Pines, MD.
Fred Stiehl – Board Member
Fred lives in Ocean Pines, Berlin, MD and is an Environmental Attorney, recently retired from the EPA. He currently serves on the Worcester County Water and Wastewater Advisory Board, in a member of the Ocean Pines Association Marine Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Ocean City Power Squadron, having served as a past Commander. Fred is an avid recreational boater and fisherman, enjoying the bounty of the coastal watershed.
Karen Hunter – Board Member
Originally from the Washington, DC area, Karen combined a successful career in finance along with investing her time in many charitable organizations. Karen has been involved in raising funds for the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, as a volunteer in Art Programs for the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, and as part of an Advisory Board member to Cornerstone Montgomery. Karen and her husband recently retired to Ocean City, MD. She is passionate about the Arts and the Environment with a strong commitment to clean and healthy waterways in and around the Eastern Shore.
Tom Janasek – Board Member
Tom resides in Ocean Pines and is General Manager of AC Beverages, an Eastern Shore draft beverage system provider. He has worked on oyster gardening projects in the West River near his second home in Shady Side, Md.. Additionally he serves as Chairman of The Ocean Pines Environmental and Natural Assets Advisory Committee. He has an abiding love of the local waters and, as the weather permits, can be found on the water virtually every weekend.
Kim Check – Board Member
Kim is a long time ACT supporter. She is currently the Director of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center and oversees the operations, facilities, and staff. She has 16 years of experience working for federal agencies and nonprofit organizations in the mid-Atlantic region with an emphasis on conservation and education. Currently a resident of Chincoteague Island, she spends her free time conducting bird research at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and kayaking the coastal bays.
Jim currently serves as director of the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center in Eden, Maryland. Prior to holding this post, he was the director of the Salisbury Zoo. Jim is the past president of the Assateague Coastal Trust, Wicomico Environmental Trust, Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. Jim enjoys birding and paddling in Delmarva's natural areas, where he has lived for 40+ years. He currently resides in Baltimore, where he enjoys exploring the city’s urban parks and trails with his daughter.
Roger LeMaster - Vice President
Roger is a Washington tax attorney and former association executive with extensive administrative, political and legal experience acquired through years of service with the U.S. Senate, major associations and leading law firms. Roger also maintains a second home on Chincoteague Island where he is actively involved in community service.
Eric Vinson - Treasurer
Eric has just joined the ACT Board in June 2019. A CPA, he is the owner of Vinson and Company, CPA in Berlin, MD and is passionate about the coastal watershed, enjoying sailing, diving and fishing. He brings many years of non-profit financial management expertise to the Board.
Tom Bickerstaff -Board Member
Tom is a retired regulatory life insurance actuary who brings years of managerial accounting experience to the ACT board. He enjoys sailing, kayaking and woodworking. Tom is also a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader at Community Church at Ocean Pines and additionally is a member of the Snow Hill Rotary Club in Rotary District 7630. He and wife Marian reside in Ocean Pines, MD.
Fred Stiehl – Board Member
Fred lives in Ocean Pines, Berlin, MD and is an Environmental Attorney, recently retired from the EPA. He currently serves on the Worcester County Water and Wastewater Advisory Board, in a member of the Ocean Pines Association Marine Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Ocean City Power Squadron, having served as a past Commander. Fred is an avid recreational boater and fisherman, enjoying the bounty of the coastal watershed.
Karen Hunter – Board Member
Originally from the Washington, DC area, Karen combined a successful career in finance along with investing her time in many charitable organizations. Karen has been involved in raising funds for the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, as a volunteer in Art Programs for the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, and as part of an Advisory Board member to Cornerstone Montgomery. Karen and her husband recently retired to Ocean City, MD. She is passionate about the Arts and the Environment with a strong commitment to clean and healthy waterways in and around the Eastern Shore.
Tom Janasek – Board Member
Tom resides in Ocean Pines and is General Manager of AC Beverages, an Eastern Shore draft beverage system provider. He has worked on oyster gardening projects in the West River near his second home in Shady Side, Md.. Additionally he serves as Chairman of The Ocean Pines Environmental and Natural Assets Advisory Committee. He has an abiding love of the local waters and, as the weather permits, can be found on the water virtually every weekend.
Kim Check – Board Member
Kim is a long time ACT supporter. She is currently the Director of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center and oversees the operations, facilities, and staff. She has 16 years of experience working for federal agencies and nonprofit organizations in the mid-Atlantic region with an emphasis on conservation and education. Currently a resident of Chincoteague Island, she spends her free time conducting bird research at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and kayaking the coastal bays.
