Joe Anderson is the president of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University, and is a program manager for CSC in Lexington Park, Maryland. Joe came to St. Mary’s County from Connecticut in 1974 as a Vista volunteer, and has devoted much of the last 30 years to community service. He served as a St. Mary’s County Commissioner (1998-2002) and is a past member of the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission.
Captain Will Gates holds the title of “Maritime Curator” at the Historic St. Mary’s City Museum, but is better known for his main responsibility as the Master (skipper) of the replica ship Maryland Dove. He has served in this capacity since 1989, having previously worked on the Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and for several years in the educational windjammer trade. He apprenticed as a rigger at Mystic Seaport, and was later schooled in archaeology, but soon discovered that, as the bumper sticker says, “I’d rather be Sailing!”
John Giusti received a Masters in International Studies from American University. He is a certified financial planner and career transition counselor. John is a frequent cast member at Three Notch Theater where he has portrayed a variety of characters. Excelling in comedy, John's portrayal of Gallileo in "Babu's Burgers," (by Keith William) provided the right balance of authenticity and imagination in a geographical and time displaced farce with characters Benjamin Franklin, Hitler, Genghis Khan, and Jesus. When not on stage, John can be found tending his oysters under his pier or hiking the local trails.
Richard Holden received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and completed the course work for a Masters in Education at Loyola in Baltimore before becoming a professional photographer. He was recently presented the Arthur B. Hansen Award by US Sailing for his part in the rescue of a fisherman off the coast of Florida. Racing in the Governor's Cup was his introduction to St. Mary's County. In 2002, Richard became a county resident. He now lives on the St. Mary's River in sight of the finish line of the race.
Suellen Keiner received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She has worked as litigator, solicitor, counsel, and consultant for a variety of environmental and civil rights organizations. Currently, she serves as Chief Operating Officer for The State of the USA and she serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Isreal’s Environment and the Institute for Conservation Leadership, among others.
Patrick Murphy lives on the St. Mary's River and enjoys growing oysters at his pier. He and First Mate Jean love to get out on the water to watch the sunset.
Karen Nutter is from an Air Force familty whose roots are on the Tred Avon River in Maryland's Eastern shore, where her grandparents taught her the joys of the water. Whether out on their boat or walking along the shore, playing pirates, catching minnows with a bell jar, a string and pieces of bread or learning about the inhabitants of the marsh and river, Karen always connected with the natural environment. She and her husband Jim lived in Pennsylvania for twenty seven years. However, they have returned to water and love living on and helping to care for the St. Mary's River. Karen serves on the St. Mary's Caring (our local soup kitchen) board and is a member of the St. Mary's County Garden Club.
Bob Paul is the Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of Science and has been at St. Mary’s College of Maryland since 1977. He received a Ph.D. in Zoology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. His specialty includes aquatic ecology and the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to land use and ecological problems. Since 1999, Bob has co-directed the St. Mary’s River Project, a long-term, federally-funded water quality monitoring study of the St. Mary’s River and its watershed. He serves on the St. Mary’s County Watershed Commission, and the Lower Potomac Tributary Team.
Paula Riner is a student in the class of 2012 at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Her interests include aquatic biology, paddle trips on St. Mary's River, and playing the trumpet.
Todd Rudolph received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis. He enjoys the fruits of the St. Mary's River since he moved to Lexington Park from Chicago. He is a lifelong environmentalist, a trait passed down by his outdoorsman father. He enjoys fishing in the St. Mary’s River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Patricia Samford received a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, majoring in historical archaeology. She is currently the Director of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard, Maryland. Her research has dealt with the archaeology of free and enslaved African Americans in the American South and in cultural resource management. She enjoys gardening, kayaking on the St. Mary’s River and reading.
Elaine Szymkowiak received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland. Since 1981, she has served as Biology Laboratory Coordinator and instructor in scanning electron microscopy at the College. She is the advisor to the student club, Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). Elaine has an avid interest in conservation issues and a life long love of nature. She enjoys spending free time on outdoor activities including hiking, nature study, sailing, skiing and gardening.
Sue Veith received a Bachelor of Science in architecture and a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. Sue served as a Critical Area reviewer and then as the Environmental Planner for St. Mary’s County, the position that she still fills today. She is certified as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and skilled in using GIS for site review and planning analysis . She serves as the vice-chair of the state’s Coastal Watershed Resources Advisory Committee. She loves sailing, gardening, and just “being outdoors.” Sue serves as a non-voting member of the Board.
Scott Taylor studied at Pennsylvania College of Technology and currently works at his family's business, Taylor Gas Company. He lives with his wife, Karen, and their daughter, Olivia, on the St. Mary's River and next door to his grandmother, Loretta Taylor. They grow oysters at their pier and enjoy beautiful sunsets.
David Waring received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Economics, and History from Western Maryland College. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, he has been a real estate professional since graduating. David has been involved with Maryland’s Tributary Strategies Teams for the past 10 years and currently serves as Vice Chair for the Lower Potomac Trib Team. Public outreach and education have been in the forefront of David’s efforts in Annapolis.
Bob Lewis received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Music Composition from the State University of New York, as well as certificates in arts administration, personnel management, and communications technology. He was recognized in 2006 as the Environmentalist of the Year by the Potomac River Association. Bob holds four awards for service from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In 2006, Bob chaired the Cultural Diversity Task Force for the county superintendent of public schools. This past fall, Bob graduated from the Institute for Conservation Leadership, Executive Director Leadership Program. In February 2009, Bob was recognized with the Lower Potomac Tributary Team River Hero award.
Lindsay Tempinson joined the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association in December 2008 as the Program Director. Prior to moving to Maryland she worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in the Waters Protection Program. She received degrees in Fisheries & Wildlife and Agricultural Journalism from the University of Missouri. Lindsay is currently enrolled in a masters degree program at the University of Maryland's Horn Point Laboratory. She was also active in several organizations whose mission was to improve water quality. In her spare time she enjoys photography and hiking.
