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; extended via board vote to end of 2022)
​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 Kelly Caudle here:
​Kelly Caudle

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 Doug Fessler here:
​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.
​Marissa Crames

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.
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Marissa is a strong believer that children should be outside, exploring and learning.  The health of our waterways is essential to this philosophy.

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.