Board of Directors

Marissa Crames, President
Marissa Crames was raised on Long Island, NY. She was lucky enough to spend her summers in the Shawangunk Mountains of upstate NY. During these times she developed a deep love for all thing wild and free. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Business she relocated to central Pennsylvania.
She is currently lives in Selinsgrove and is the factory manager of a local perfume and cosmetics company. In her free time she volunteers with the BSA and helps coach her son's little league baseball team.
Marissa is a strong believer that children should be outside, exploring and learning. The health of our waterways is essential to this philosophy.
Marissa Crames was raised on Long Island, NY. She was lucky enough to spend her summers in the Shawangunk Mountains of upstate NY. During these times she developed a deep love for all thing wild and free. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Business she relocated to central Pennsylvania.
She is currently lives in Selinsgrove and is the factory manager of a local perfume and cosmetics company. In her free time she volunteers with the BSA and helps coach her son's little league baseball team.
Marissa is a strong believer that children should be outside, exploring and learning. The health of our waterways is essential to this philosophy.
Check out a video interview with Dr. Joseph Simons here:
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Dr. Joseph Simons, Vice President
Joseph Simons III is a father of three amazing young men. He has a bachelor of Science degree from Wilkes University and a Doctor of Optometry degree from Salus University. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves fly-fishing, camping, kayaking, hiking, scuba diving, nature photography and writing electronic music and soundtracks on keyboards/synthesizers under the name HOLOMIND. He is a conservationist and a champion of our most precious commodity; cold, clean, clear water. This is a cause he holds dear to his heart. Water is Life and water that supports native brook trout, he considers as holy water. Dr Simons also serves on the Stanley Cooper Trout Unlimited Board and EPCAMR Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandon Mine Reclamation Board. Email Dr. Simons directly by clicking here. (Term: July 2019-2022) |
Check out a podcast interview with Kelly Caudle here:
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Kelly Caudle, Treasurer
Kelly Caudle is a native of Allentown, PA. While growing up she loved being outdoors and exploring local creeks and lakes with friends and family. She spent 27 years living in the Charlotte, NC, area and always missed the natural beauty of her home state. After visiting relatives in the Susquehanna River Valley, she and her family decided to return to Pennsylvania and moved to Winfield, PA in 2019. She is currently a member of the R.B. Winter Chapter of Trout Unlimited and is a former member of the Rocky River Trout Unlimited Chapter based in Charlotte, NC. While living in North Carolina, she volunteered with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and participated in Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program. Kelly is looking forward to actively participating in the MSRKA’s goal of providing clean water for everyone. She is also eager to learn more about the environmental issues impacting water quality and aquatic life. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Gettysburg College and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She currently works part-time in retail. In her spare time she enjoys admiring and exploring the natural beauty of the area and honing her nature photography skills. |
Check out a podcast interview with Morgan Thomas here:
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Morgan Thomas, co-Secretary
Morgan Thomas is a student at Susquehanna University majoring in Ecology and Environmental Science. She became involved with the MSRKA this past summer through an internship and continues to be engaged with the association as a student board member. In the future, she hopes to work in environmental conservation and/or education and is very excited to explore that field further through her work with the MSRKA. Outside of the classroom, Morgan is on her school's swim team and also enjoys gardening and art. You can email her directly by clicking here. |
Check out a podcast interview with Danielle Tryon here:
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Danielle Tryon, co-Secretary
Danielle Tryon is a sophomore Earth & Environmental Science and Biology double major at Susquehanna University. She became involved with MSRKA as an intern this past summer and continues to be involved as a student board member. In the future, Danielle hopes to pursue a career doing research and environmental education. Aside from her academics Danielle also is a sustainability project leader, rides on Susquehanna's English Equestrian team and enjoys traveling. You can email her directly by clicking here. |
Check out a podcast interview with Doug Fessler here:
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Doug Fessler
Douglas Fessler is father, husband, IT professional and environmentalist residing in Sunbury, PA. He has an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology coupled with a plethora of industry certifications that he has acquired over his 20 years in the Information Technology sector. With this repository of knowledge, he strives to find new ways to use technology to help and monitor the environment. Douglas was born and raised in central Pennsylvania where he spent his life fishing, hiking and exploring. Over the years he has developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and advocates for clean water for all living things. He is currently a member of the Susquehanna River Cleanup Project committee. He has actively participated in various environmental initiatives ranging from waterway cleanups along the Susquehanna River to cave rehabilitation projects in the hopes of restoring some of the unique ecosystems native to central Pennsylvania. In his free time, Doug enjoys exploring National and State Parks and other natural locations with his family. |
Cheryl Terpak
Cheryl is a native of Moosic, Pennsylvania where she first learned to fish with her family at local lakes and streams. She earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology and Master's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Scranton. After finishing her studies, she moved to Central New Jersey where she lived for 14 years. During that time, she enjoyed hiking and fishing throughout the state with her husband (and eventually her two children). In 2012, Cheryl and her family had the opportunity to move to Williamsport, Pennsylvania where she currently resides. She and her family quickly fell in love with the local lakes, rivers, streams and hiking trails. She and her family especially enjoy visiting different Pennsylvania State Parks to hike and fish. Cheryl works as an Environmental Manager for a local organization. She is excited to combine her love of the outdoors with the knowledge she has gained in her current job as a volunteer for the MSRKA. She believes that education is the key to achieving clean waterways both locally and throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. You can contact her directly via email by clicking here. |
Walt Bingaman
An avid outdoorsman, Walt Bingman has been an instrumental part of our HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) kayaking and fishing day programs since they began in the summer of 2021. He volunteers with numerous programs and initiatives, has a longstanding history with the National Wild Turkey Federation and brings his experiences in organizing events, fundraising and advocating for our natural resources to our board. He and his wife, Sherry, live in rural Shamokin Dam. You can contact him via email by clicking here. |
Check out a podcast interview with Andrew Bechdel:
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Andrew Bechdel
A native of central Pennsylvania, Andrew Bechdel is currently a ‘Susquehanna Sentinel’ for Centre County where he resides. Andrew earned his B.S degree in Recreation Management (Outdoor Track) with a minor in Environmental Studies from Lock Haven University. As an undergraduate, he studied the impacts of degraded riparian vegetation and nonpoint and point source pollution on the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay watershed. Following college, Andrew served two full time terms as an AmeriCorps member – once as an Environmental Educator with the Student Conservation Association/Hudson Valley Corps and again as the Trails Assistant for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership. He is currently a trainee with Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with whom he hopes to volunteer his time and expertise to conservation agencies in the Centre County region. In his free time, he is a nature nerd and avid outdoorsman who enjoys studying forest ecology, hunting mushrooms, bird watching, hiking and backpacking, fishing and rock climbing among other outdoor pursuits. Andrew hopes to utilize his background with environmental education and non-profits to help the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association with connection to new partners and deliver high quality programs for the public. You can contact him via email by clicking here. |