The SWCS Board of Directors consists of one director elected by SWCS members from each of SWCS’s regions in the United States (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast). Additionally, four At-Large Directors and two ex officio nonvoting Emerging Leader members are appointed to serve on the Board of Directors by the Board itself. The SWCS CEO also serves as an ex officio nonvoting member.
Regional Directors represent the interests of all SWCS members, with specific responsibilities to the members and chapters within their respective regions as required by the Board. At-Large Directors and Emerging Leader members ensure the Board represents a broad range of public policy and natural resource knowledge while maintaining connections with federal, state, and provincial agencies; other societies; and environmental, agricultural, conservation, and other groups.
We are pleased to welcome our new Emerging Leader members, who bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our Board. Their involvement enhances our commitment to innovation and leadership in the field.
Amanda Gumbert
Dr. Amanda Gumbert is an Extension Specialist for Water Quality in the Forestry & Natural Resources Department at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment (M-G CAFE). She leads a small but mighty team of extension professionals who provide technical assistance, education, and outreach programs on...
Leonard Jordan
Leonard Jordan has spent more than four decades building a portfolio focused on conserving our natural resources. Having worked across the nation, Jordan has worked with several interest groups, government agencies and non-profit organizations to ensure that our environment is protected. His passion is to work with the American public,...
Carrie Vollmer-Sanders
Carrie is a sixth generation farmer, passionate about collaborating with forward-thinking farmers, convening diverse thought-leaders, and addressing environmental challenges while maintaining focus on business objectives. She received the White House Champion of Change Award in 2014 for her leadership in developing the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program while at The...
Krista Kirkham
Krista Kirkham is an Aquatic Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Illinois. Krista has been with TNC for 17 years and serves as the lead water quality technician for the Mackinaw River Program. She works closely with agricultural and university partners to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of constructed...
Jay Fuhrer
"Joining the SWCS board is an exciting opportunity, as the organization represents a path forward for natural resource management. I've always considered Conservation the foundation of sustainable agriculture, and look forward to supporting the SWCS's mission." As a long time Conservationist growing up in the Dakota’s on a small grain...
Claire Hambrick
Claire Hambrick works at the intersection of food, land, and community, building programs and partnerships that support more regenerative, equitable, and connected food systems. Her background spans agriculture, education, and policy, with a focus on systems thinking, agroecology, and community-based farming initiatives. She currently works with MESA, supporting global exchange...
Chad Klotzbach
Chad Klotzbach is the CEO of Alleghany Services, a second-generation agricultural water management company based in western New York. Alleghany Services has approximately 50 employees and more than 40 years of experience serving farms and rural landscapes across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. A licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Chad focuses on...
Colby Moorberg
Colby is an associate professor of soil science in the Kansas State University (KSU) Department of Agronomy. He teaches Soils, Soils Laboratory, and Soil and Water Conservation. He is also a coach for the KSU Soil Judging Team and serves as the faculty advisor for the KSU student chapter of...
Rose Mumbi
Rose is a Research Scientist at ISG Inc, Minnesota. In her role she helps clients develop sustainable water resource strategies by translating complex environmental data into clear, actionable recommendations that support planning, policy, and ecosystem health. Her expertise includes water quality monitoring, soil health, environmental data analysis, project management, and...
Jamie Ridgely
Jamie Ridgely brings to the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Board of Directors a rare combination of deep conservation roots and forward-looking private-sector leadership. Raised in rural Iowa, she remains closely tied to agriculture and land stewardship, farming alongside her husband and three daughters on their family’s century farm....
Rod Snyder
Rod Snyder is focused on building consensus at the intersection of agriculture and environmental policy, as well as strengthening supply chain sustainability initiatives. From 2021-2024, he served as Senior Advisor for Agriculture to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where he established and led EPA's first-ever Office of...