Board of Directors

Check out a video interview with Kathy Snavely here:
Kathy Snavely, President

A former professor of entrepreneurship, Kathy makes her living as a personal chef.  She has loved being in the water for as long as she can remember.  As a child, she wandered to the nearby creek to play, when she wasn’t spending summertime at the pool with her family.  While attending Houghton College, she found her solace at Letchworth State Park, near the spectacular waterfalls.  Kathy spent two weeks several summers volunteering for Children’s Surf & Sand Mission, offering children’s programming on the beaches of New Jersey and South Carolina.  An Athena Award recipient, she’s volunteered with many central PA non-profit organizations and helped establish the Agape Family Shelter in Lebanon.  Kathy earned her M.Ed., Training & Development at Penn State’s Capital College in 1994.  When founding Riverkeeper Carol Parenzan asked her to serve on the board, Snavely relished the opportunity to help preserve and protect Central Pennsylvania’s greatest resource (and largest contributor to the Chesapeake Bay).  No matter your political persuasion, faith or profession, we share a need for clean water.  She dedicates her service to MSRKA to her eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and the great-great granddaughter arriving in February. Send Kathy an email directly by clicking here.
(Terms August 2015-2018; 2019-2021)
​Check out a video interview with Dr. Joseph Simons here:
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 video interview with Ann Fisher here:
Ann Fisher, Secretary/Treasurer

Ann Fisher (Ph.D., University of Connecticut) retired from Penn State University, where she taught environmental economics and conducted research on people’s perceptions of water quality, their willingness to pay for environmental improvements, and the potential impacts of climate change on the mid-Atlantic region. 

Earlier, she worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency headquarters, developing methods to estimate the value of environmental improvements and how to communicate effectively about the risks of pollutants.  Her work experience reflects her passion for a clean environment--especially clean water because it is crucial for healthy ecosystems and for healthy people. 

She is a long-time member of Trout Unlimited, and enjoys fishing in the Susquehanna watershed and elsewhere.  She also likes to tend the landscaping around her home, and to play autoharp and mountain dulcimer in the Susquehanna  String Theory band. You can email Ann Fisher directly by clicking here.
​(Terms: 2017-2019; 2020-2023)
Check out a podcast interview with John Oast here:
​John "Toast" Oast

John "Toast" Oast is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia and currently resides in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.  Oast is the founder of the Pennsylvania Kayak Fishing Association (PKFA.org) and the Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association (WKFA.org) in Virginia.  He is the publisher of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine, LLC and its online platform, SusquehannaFishing.com.  His popular Fishyaker Youtube video series has received over 5,500,000 views.

“Toast,” often referred to as a “pioneer of the sport of kayak fishing” and “the MacGyver of kayak fishing,” is a member of the NuCanoe Pro Staff and an Okuma Fishing Tackle Influencer.  He is also a pro staff member for FishLab Tackle, Soft Steel USA fishing line, GoFish Cam cameras, and YakAttack.  Oast's kayak fishing exploits have been featured in various regional and national publications, videos, and television shows, and he travels extensively competing in kayak fishing tournaments and promoting the sport, as well as acting as a spokesperson for multiple Pennsylvania regional visitor’s bureaus. Oast is proficient with both fly and conventional tackle, and can often be found fishing for any of the Chesapeake Bay's abundant species of fish, or floating Pennsylvania's rivers and lakes for bass, crappie or anything else he stumbles upon.

When not on or around the water, Oast is a career law enforcement officer, has worked as a youth crime and gang investigator, and law enforcement instructor, and has served as a Sunday school teacher, scoutmaster, and American Red Cross instructor.
​Check out a podcast interview with Jolene Connelly here:
​Jolene Connelly

Jolene Connelly is a middle school English teacher who resides in Selinsgrove, PA.

​She is a former level 3 America Canoe Association river kayak instructor, with paddling experience ranging from quiet lakes to Class IV whitewater. In addition to being a life-long angler, Jolene teaches Hunter-Trapper Education courses for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. She is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation. 

Jolene is a huge advocate of engaging young people and women with outdoor opportunities, and is an instructor for the  HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program.
​​Check out a podcast interview with Bill Ryan here:
​Bill Ryan

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Soils Science at Penn State, Bill’s passion for environmental stewardship was shaped at a young age while exploring the forests and streams of the Moshannon State Forest where his family’s cabin was built. After serving two enlistments in the Marine Corps, Bill returned to Central Pennsylvania to study environmental science, completing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Management at Penn State in May of 2020. While working towards his undergraduate degree, Bill gained experience in agricultural and watershed conservation planning and outreach through his employment with Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center. During this time, he saw first-hand the effectiveness of educational outreach and community partnerships in the effort to improve local water quality and reduce negative impacts on our environmental systems.

In addition to his studies, Bill is a singer/songwriter performing regularly in the Centre region as part of the group “Caledonia”. Their original music celebrates the beauty and culture of Pennsylvania.

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Student board members

Check out a podcast interview with Morgan Thomas here:
Morgan Thomas

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:
Danielle Tryon

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.