Our Board...
Joe Letsche
President and CEO
Yes...this nonprofit is my baby. It's an extension of my love and passion for nature.
For most of my early adult life, I worked any convenient job to support my habit of traveling the U.S. in search of cool ecosystems and a deeper understanding of natural processes and wildlife. (Southern swamps are my favorite, but a Maine coniferous forest in winter is a close second.) I've served as a canoe river guide on the Little Manatee River in South Florida, a Naturalist and Animal Tracking Instructor for various entities including Ohio State Parks, Coyote Trails School of Nature, and Hocking College, a Field Tech in Herpetology and contributing author to "A Field Guide to Track and Sign of Reptiles and Amphibians", and Nature Preserves Manager and then Executive Director for the Ross County Park District. I lived in Ross County for 21 years, and then moved to New Richmond, Ohio in 2023 when I married an amazing lady named Dr. Marie-Dominique Filippi (A research biologist working on hematopoietic stem cell metabolism at Cincinnati Children't Hospital.) My goal is to create an effective and sustainable nonprofit that advocates for the waterways of the Scioto River long after I'm gone!
Scott Hogsten
Treasurer
Here's something crazy...Scott and I grew up in the same small village in Southern Ohio, way down on the Ohio River (South Point, pop. 3800), hunting bugs in the same creek, but 10 years apart. We never met until 30 years later at a wildlife conference when Scott was living in Columbus and I was living in Chillicothe.
Professionally, Scott has built a career in information technology, where his strengths in problem-solving and adaptability shine. Whether troubleshooting complex systems or helping others navigate technology, he brings the same focus and patience that fuel his explorations outdoors. And if I had to pick the top ten naturalists of all time that I know, he would be on that list too. And that's no joke. Go ahead and test him...I dare you. He's an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and contributes to stream quality monitoring and local conservation efforts. He's also an accomplished and published macro photographer, specializing in insects and flowers. Beetles and aquatic macroinvertebrates are his main gig and his images portray the intricate details of the natural world, inspiring appreciation and stewardship of the environment. Thank you Scott for lending us your brain!
Penny Cooper
Vice President
Penny is a professional dabbler in the natural world. She grew up, stayed here, and then proceeded to raised her family in the hills and hollers of Highland county. When she's not leading the quality control department at a local automotive supply company (her place of gainful employment for just under 30 years), she's looking for any excuse to be out in the forests of southwestern Ohio. Kayaking, photography, hiking, trail riding, fishing, and foraging for mushrooms, are all activities that help her fulfill a deep need to connect with nature. Working with the OMDL (Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab) on the Ohio Mycoflora Project to collect, identify, describe, and catalog, the diverse fungi presence in the region, along with her affiliation with the Lower Scioto River Conservancy, is her way of trying to give back a little for the abundance she has received. (Awww. That's cool. I promise that she actually told me this. :)) And something I didn't know about her...she did a stint in the Ohio Air National Guard, achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, and even had the opportunity to fly a fighter jet! (I think the pilot just let her steer for like 15 seconds, but still an awesome experience!)
And Penny is one of the smartest people I know, which is why I was really happy that she agreed to be on the board!
Martin McAllister
Secretary
This cat has worked in the field of conservation for over 40 years! He obtained his undergraduate degree in Natural Resources from Shawnee State Community College in 1983 and for much of his career was employed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a naturalist, land manager and administrator. Martin retired from ODNR in 2014 as the Southwest District Manager for Ohio State Parks and State Nature Preserves. In this capacity he directed management of 14 state nature preserves and 13 state parks in southwest Ohio. He is currently semi-retired and works part-time with The Nature Conservancy as the Community Engagement Specialist for their 23,000-acre Edge of Appalachia Nature Preserve in Adams County. Additionally, Martin serves on the board of the Ohio Scenic River Association and the Friends of Scioto Brush Creek, Inc where he was founder and past president. He was also instrumental in establishing the Adams County Travel and Visitor’s Bureau to promote tourism. And let me tell you...he is highly respected among those who know. And if he doesn't know something, which is unlikely, his wife Jody probably does!
Our Fellows...
Monica Ginther
Professionally, Monica worked in Social Services Administration for most of her adult career, but now I think she's just kind of messing around, considering an early retirement, and focusing on her adorable family!
Raised on a farm where Paint Creek was in her backyard, she fell in love with rivers, creeks, and all things water at a young age. Growing up with a forest ranger sister in a family deeply rooted in conservation, she’s spent 50+ years exploring Ohio’s outdoors, picking up litter, and soaking in nature. Now she keeps the vibes flowing behind the scenes with the Conservancy—sharing photos, videos, Instagram stories, and lending a hand at volunteer cleanups to protect our rivers and waterways. She's the strong, silent type, and her significant contributions are very much appreciated!
Deven Atkinson
Did you know that trail design, construction and maintenance is an art and a science? In my opinion trails are to parks what the Mona Lisa is to the Louvre. And Deven is Leonardo da Vinci.
Deven retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a software programmer for the nation's VA Medical Centers. After which he worked as the Trail Team Supervisor for the Ross County Park District. He has also served on the Buckeye Trail Association's board of trustees while supervising the Buckeye Trail from Tar Hollow thru Pike Lake State Parks. Most recently he has maintained and built trail at Tar Hollow, Scioto Trail and Great Seal for Ohio State Parks.
He's also a musician, author and lover of all things nature. Thank you Deven for sharing your expertise with us when we need it!
Seth Rankin
Seth Rankin received a fish and wildlife degree from Hocking College in 2009 and has served in a variety of conservation roles for state and federal agencies as well as private wildlife and land management organizations. His former professional roles include biologist and land stewardship director. He has owned and operated his own business (Conservation Contracting LLC) since 2018 where he assists landowners in implementing conservation practices on their property. He is a licensed commercial pesticide applicator, drone operator and prescribed fire manager in Ohio. In addition, he served our great country for six years as a cavalry scout in the Ohio Army National Guard.
Seth has always given more than his fair share to the community and the planet through his volunteer work and his generous guidance to those who seek it. His contributions and guidance to this nonprofit are invaluable!