Meet Our Team

Meet LGNC’s Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers.

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

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

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

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.

Diane Husic, Ph.D.

President

Profession: Executive Director of the Center for the Environment, St. Lawrence University

Brandon Fogal

Brandon Fogal

Vice President

Profession: Co-owner and Board Member, Pocono Whitewater, Skirmish USA, and Pocono Biking

Dan Kunkle, Hon. Ph.D.

Dan Kunkle, Hon. Ph.D.

Treasurer, Director Emeritus

Profession: Biology Teacher (retired); Executive Director, Lehigh Gap Nature Center (retired)
Jennifer Lansing, Ph.D.

Jennifer Lansing, Ph.D.

Secretary

Profession: Ecologist and Owner, Cardinal Directions, LLC
George Beam, P.E.

George Beam, P.E.

Board Member

Profession: Electrical Engineer
PPL Corporation, Allentown, PA
Alec Bodzin, Ph.D.

Alec Bodzin, Ph.D.

Board Member

Profession: Professor
Lehigh University
Anita Collins, Ph.D.

Anita Collins, Ph.D.

Board Member

Profession: Honey Bee geneticist, USDA (retired);
Prof. of Entomology, Penn State University

Dennis J. DeMara

Dennis J. DeMara

Board Member

Profession: Northeast Supervisor, DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (retired); Conservation Outreach Coordinator, Wildlands Conservancy

Brandon Everett

Brandon Everett

Board Member

Profession: Horticulturist
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery

Terry Master, Ph.D.

Terry Master, Ph.D.

Board Member

Profession: Distinguished Professor of Biology, East Stroudsburg University (retired)

Jerry McAward

Jerry McAward

Board Member

Profession: President, Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Lehighton Outdoor Center

Melissa Starkey, Ph.D.

Melissa Starkey, Ph.D.

Board Member

Profession: Marketing and Communications Manager, Mt. Cuba Center

Board of Advisors

Keith L. Bildstein, Ph.D.
Profession: Ornithologist

John Dickerson
Profession: Plant scientist

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)

Donald A. Molde, M.D.
Profession: Physician (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

Sue Tantsits
Profession: Co-owner Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery

Maria Tranguch
Profession: Professional Planner, Arborist