LGNC Staff
The day-to-day operations of Lehigh Gap Nature Center are managed by Executive Director Chad Schwartz, Office Administrator Anna Costello, and Education & Outreach Coordinator Riley Davenport.
Chad Schwartz
Executive Director
Education: B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies, Muhlenberg College
Chad Schwartz has spent his life studying and exploring the natural world, and enjoys sharing his passion with others through his work at LGNC. In his free time, Chad can often be found outdoors birding, hiking, and fishing, or at home painting PA Dutch hex signs and researching genealogy. He is also the Youth Coordinator and 2nd Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. You can contact Chad at chad.schwartz@lgnc.org
Anna Costello
Office Administrator
Education: B.A. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Anna has loved and worked outdoors for as long as she can remember. After almost a decade on the West Coast, she moved back East to be closer to family and became involved with LGNC. She is very excited to work for LGNC as Office Administrator. Anna loves observing and sharing her knowledge of nature with others, is a new but avid whitewater kayaker, and is often gardening. You can contact Anna at anna.costello@lgnc.org.
Riley Davenport
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Education: B.S. Art Education, Kutztown University
While Riley got her start in education teaching art, her lifelong passion for animals and the environment led her to the world of conservation and environmental education and she has never looked back. Riley has a background in animal husbandry with non-releasable raptors and curriculum development. In her spare time, she loves to hike, bake for friends and family, and travel. You can contact Riley at riley.davenport@lgnc.org
LGNC Board of Directors and Board of Advisors
Diane Husic, Ph.D.
President
Profession: Executive Director of the Center for the Environment, St. Lawrence University
Brandon Fogal
Vice President
Profession: Co-owner and Board Member, Pocono Whitewater, Skirmish USA, and Pocono Biking
Dan Kunkle, Hon. Ph.D.
Treasurer, Director Emeritus
Jennifer Lansing, Ph.D.
Secretary
George Beam, P.E.
Board Member
PPL Corporation, Allentown, PA
Cynthia Berger
Board Member
Profession: Science Communicator, Volunteer Field Biologist
Alec Bodzin, Ph.D.
Board Member
Lehigh University
Dennis J. DeMara
Board Member
Profession: Northeast Supervisor, DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (retired); Conservation Outreach Coordinator, Wildlands Conservancy
Brandon Everett
Board Member
Profession: Horticulturist
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery
Anais Martinez
Board Member
Profession: Environmental Advocate/ Community Builder
Terry Master, Ph.D.
Board Member
Profession: Distinguished Professor of Biology, East Stroudsburg University (retired)
Jerry McAward
Board Member
Profession: President, Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Lehighton Outdoor Center
Board of Advisors
Anita Collins, Ph.D.
Profession: USDA bee geneticist (retired)
Holly A. Heintzelman, Esq.
Profession: Private attorney
Towlene Jackson
Profession: Owner, KULA Children’s Center
Roland Kushner, Ph.D.
Profession: Professor of Business, Muhlenberg College
Christian F. Martin IV
Profession: Chairman and CEO, Martin Guitar (retired)
Carl Oplinger, Ph.D.
Profession: Professor Emeritus of Biology, Muhlenberg College (retired)
Dan Poresky
Profession: Founder/Owner, Dan’s Camera City (retired)
David Shaffer
Profession: co-CEO, Just Born Quality Confections
Melissa Starkey, Ph.D.
Profession: Marketing and Communications Manager, Mt. Cuba Center
Sue Tantsits
Profession: Co-owner Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery