Coalition Leads
Each jurisdiction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has a role to play in the restoration effort. In order to ensure our members from the Bay states are not only coordinating their work but able to discuss state specific issues and threats, the Coalition created the coalition lead structure. Each state in the watershed has a lead who is responsible for convening and organizing work around our Coalition priorities, while also looking for new and emerging issues that may need Coalition support. Our leads work hard to ensure that our members are not only knowledgeable about Bay issues, but engaging with the larger membership to help solve them.
You can find your coalition lead below.
Delaware
Maryland
Laura Miller, Delaware Nature Society
(302) 239-2334 Ext 131
laura@delawarenaturesociety.org
Laura joined Delaware Nature Society’s Advocacy Department in October 2017 after graduating from the University of Delaware. She uses her background in animal science, wildlife conservation, and environmental advocacy to conduct outreach and education with the Clean Water: Delaware’s Clear Choice campaign.
New York
Ben Alexandro, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
845-596-9634
balexandro@mdlcv.org
Ben joined Maryland LCV in 2015 and is well versed in Chesapeake Bay, watershed, and conservation science and policy issues. Before joining Maryland LCV, Ben coordinated the Potomac Watershed Partnership with the Cacapon Institute and worked on stormwater and green infrastructure issues with the Environmental Finance Center.
Pennsylvania
Danny Lapin, Ostego County Conservation Association
607-547-4488
planner@occainfo.org
Danny Lapin joined the OCCA staff as environmental planner in June 2014. He has an abundance of experience in water resource management, economics, environmental policy and planning. Danny has his master’ in environmental policy and is passionate for advocacy.
Leslie Orzetti, Ostego County Conservation Association
607-547-4488
director@occainfo.org
Dr. Orzetti joined OCCA as Executive Director in 2016 and has worked in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for over 20 years. Dr. Orzetti has had a plethora of experience in restoration, conservation and education. She attended the University of Dayton where she earned her B.S and M.S in Biology, and George Mason University where she earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy.
Virginia
Taylor Nezat, PennFuture
717-214-7935
nezat@pennfuture.org
Taylor Nezat is a native of south central Pennsylvania and serves as PennFuture’s Campaign Manager for Watershed Advocacy. Taylor leads high-impact campaigns around water issues affecting Pennsylvania’s environment in the Susquehanna and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.
Pat Calvert, Virginia Conservation Network
804-803-1897
pat@vcnva.org
Pat Calvert is the Policy & Campaigns Manager for Clean Water & Land Conservation at VCN. Offering experience as an environmental educator, Riverkeeper and avid angler, Pat cultivates powerful, diverse and highly-coordinated movement to strengthen the Commonwealth’s irreplaceable natural resources and communities.
West Virginia
Tanner Haid, West Virginia Rivers Coalition
304-886-2665
Tanner Haid is the Eastern Panhandle Field Coordinator for WV Rivers Coalition. He offers experience in community outreach, hands-on conservation, and coalition building. His bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, paired with years of experience as a raft guide on the Shenandoah River, drives his passion for environmental protection and outdoor recreation.