NVSWCD is governed by a five-member Board of Directors. Three directors are elected in a general election every four years, and two, including a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent serving Fairfax County, are appointed by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.

The NVSWCD Board of Directors meets the fourth Tuesday of every month to discuss district business. The meetings are usually held in a hybrid format virtually on Teams and in-person in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, on the 9th floor. Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. (unless announced otherwise) and are open to the public. To be notified about upcoming board meetings, and to receive meeting access information, please sign up for our Board of Directors mailing list here. 

The NVSWCD Board of Director’s Technical Review Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month, starting at 10:00 a.m. For recent board meeting minutes, please see: NVSWCD Board Meeting and Committee Minutes.

Our staff carries out the goals set forth by our Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 Dana Barakat serves as a committed leader and political consultant, currently co-chairing the Arab American Caucus within the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. With a Master of Arts in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from George Mason University, Dana brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for community service to her role. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Arabic, Dana is a native of Fairfax County and an alumnus of Fairfax County Public Schools, where she developed her multilingual skills. Her professional background includes extensive experience in government relations, strategic planning, community engagement, and fundraising for political campaigns. Dana has also worked with international NGOs such as the Bethlehem Development Foundation, advocating for human rights and access to opportunities for all. At NVSWCD, Dana is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and policies that benefit the environment and the community. Her commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and effective advocacy are pivotal in her efforts to foster impactful change and to enhance the quality of life in Northern Virginia. Email Dana Barakat.

 

 Rhonda Bitterli grew up in the desert Southwest and developed an interest in the environment at an early age. She attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. After completing an M.S. degree in Soil and Water Science, she joined a geothermal commercialization team, then had stints in domestic and international agriculture and hazardous-waste-site evaluation. As a researcher with the Congressional Office of Technical Assessment, she participated in a study of municipal solid waste. She has edited numerous National Academy of Sciences reports produced by the Water Science and Technology Board. She also volunteered with Dig It! The Secret of Soils exhibit in the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, where she interacted with persons from all over the world to enhance their understanding and appreciation of soils and the role soils play in everyday life. She is a longtime resident of Fairfax County and is very interested in supporting conservation efforts in the county. Email Rhonda Bitterli.

 

 Scott J. Cameron is an appointed Director and chairs NVSWCD's Legislative Committee. He is active in the Legislative Committee of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Cameron previously served as an Associate Director for NVSWCD and served as an elected Director in 2015 and 2016.  He has a uniquely broad governmental perspective, having worked as both a career civil servant and political appointee in the federal government at the Department of the Interior, as staff to the Governor of California, and as a Congressional staffer.  Cameron is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and a Member of the Virginia State Water Control Board. He earned an MBA from Cornell University, where he concentrated on energy and water resources economics. He has a BA in Biology from Dartmouth College. Email Scott Cameron.

 

Christopher E.  Koerner is an environmental scientist and engineer with over 40 years of experience cleaning up toxic waste sites around the world. He is a Diplomat in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and a past chair of the local Great Falls Group of the Sierra Club.  He also serves as chair of the Fairfax County Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance Exceptions Review Committee, and received the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award in 2001 for his work on remediating sedimentation in Lake Martin caused by upstream construction.  He has undergraduate degrees in Chemistry from Colby College and in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and a Master’s in Business Administration from George Mason University. Email Chris Koerner.

 

Adria Bordas (Director-Extension) is an appointed Director and has served in the position reserved for a Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent on the NVSWCD Board since 2002. She is the chair of NVSWCD's Technical Review Committee.  Bordas is the Fairfax County Unit Coordinator and Horticulture Extension Agent. In this capacity, she focuses on several diverse program areas which include pest detection and diagnosis of plant and insect problems, water quality and nutrient management, and invasive pest management. She is an Education Advisor and member of the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Landscape and Nurserymen's Association and facilitates two Master Gardener Volunteer programs in Fairfax County. Email Adria Bordas.

 

DISTRICT STAFF

 Willie Woode (he/him), Executive Director, is responsible for the overall operational and administration of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. He also reviews rezonings for Fairfax County and develops conservation plans for suburban horse farm operators. He also provides technical advice to homeowners and consultants on pond management and soils and serves as the agency’s administrator for the Potomac Watershed Roundtable.

 

Eden Anderson (she/her), Urban Conservation Specialist, supports the Conservation Assistance Programs and assists in addressing drainage and erosion concerns.

 

 

 

Scott Baron (he/him), Urban Conservation Specialist, advises homeowners on landscape options for resolving drainage and erosion issues and coordinates NVSWCD's annual Seedling Sale.

 

 

 

Heather Colter (she/her), Urban Conservation Specialist, supports the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, which includes providing technical assistance to residents and financial reimbursements to help prevent localized flooding, maintain faulty private stormwater management facilities, and stabilize erosive conditions along streambanks within private properties.

 

 

 

Meghan Cunha (she/her), Urban Conservation Specialist, supports the Conservation Assistance Programs and assists in addressing drainage and erosion concerns.

 

 

 

Stacey Evers (she/her), Urban Agriculture Specialist, supports Fairfax County community center gardens and leads the Urban Agriculture Roadmap Work Group, whose mission is to facilitate more local food production. 

 

 

 

Trish Feth (she/her), Communication and Program Specialist, responds to requests for information from the public, supports the operations and communication/education teams, and provides administrative support for Board of Directors meetings. She also organizes the Green Breakfast speaker series and serves as the point of contact for registrations for Potomac Watershed Roundtable meetings.

 

Judy Fraser (she/her), Urban Conservation Specialist, coordinates the Conservation Assistance Programs. She also assists in addressing drainage and erosion concerns.

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Lacquement (he/him), Urban Conservation Engineer, reviews site development plans for Fairfax County. He also advises homeowners and developers on land management issues such as erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, drainage problems, stream restoration/stabilization, and soils.

 

 

Heather Hunter Nickels (she/her), Agriculture Water Quality and Conservation Specialist, administers our Virginia Agricultural Cost Share program and advises on agricultural best management practices. She is a certified Nutrient Management Planner, Conservation Planner, and a licensed pesticide applicator who brings experience in fruit and vegetable farming, native plant propagation, and invasive species management.

 

Ashley Palmer (she/her), Communications and Education Specialist, coordinates volunteer, education, and outreach programs including the Sustainable Garden Tour, storm drain labeling, volunteer stream monitoring, Envirothon, and watershed model trainings. She is also the point of contact for the Watershed Calendar (NVSWCD newsletter) and our website.

 

Dan Schwartz (he/him), Soil Scientist, is a member of the soil survey update team and provides soil information to the public and agency staff. He also helps organize county-wide watershed clean-ups in the fall and spring.

 

Heather Shackley (she/her), Operations Manager, manages the Conservation District's accounting program, financial records, human resources, payroll, benefits and general office operations. She collaborates with other staff to ensure efficient board support, office operations, communications, and special programs.  She serves as the agency's records management officer and Freedom of Information Act officer.

 

Sophia Wood (she/her), Urban Conservation Specialist I, supports the Trapa bispinosa Early Detection and Rapid Response Program and assists in non-native invasive species management.

 

 

 

Taylor Beach (she/her), Environmental Educator, coordinates the Rain Barrel Program for the Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Partnership.

 

NVSWCD is also supported by many interns. 

 Rebecca Grossi (she/her), Bonner Leader Intern, joins us from the Bonner Leadership program at George Mason University and works primarily with volunteer, education, and outreach programs. The Bonner Leadership Program is a national 4- year experiential learning program that provides access to college education through community service and leadership training.

 

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) STAFF

Casey Dietzen Iames, District Conservationist, administers the NRCS conservation programs that provide financial and conservation planning assistance to agriculture in Fairfax County (and Fauquier, Prince William, and Loudoun Counties). She also provides technical expertise on watershed projects including dam rehabilitation and streambank stabilization.  Reach Casey directly at 540-316-6518 or casey.iames@usda.gov.