District Staff
Kate Norris, District Manager
Kate Norris has been
employed by the Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District since
1999. She began working with the Conservation District as a Conservation
Specialist. Combining her expertise in horse farm management with an
interest in natural resource conservation she subsequently led a very
successful outreach program in the horse community. In November 2002 she
was promoted to District Manager at the Conservation District where she
continues her work in the agricultural community while ensuring the
District meets its broader mission. In December 2002 the Virginia
Association of Conservation District Employees recognized her innovation
and leadership by awarding her the employee of the year award. Kate lives
with her husband Pete on a small, environmentally friendly, horse property
in Gainesville.
Jeannie Heflin, Office
Manager
Jeannie joined the staff in June, 2005. She and her family live
on the family farm in Haymarket, where they raise beef cattle and operate
a small-scale fresh vegetable market garden. Jeannie's background is
in office management with an emphasis on finance. Jeannie enjoys
gardening and is a Master Gardener with the Virginia Cooperative Extensive
Service through the Fauquier County program.
Joan Patterson, Education Specialist
Joan
became Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District’s Education
Specialist in January of 2008. The previous year she joined PWSWCD as an
Education and Outreach Specialist. In this her current position, she is
responsible for developing and implementing educational programs for
school children, teachers, youth groups and other citizens. The focus of
the education programs are natural resources conservation. Joan brings to
this position her extensive experience as a volunteer on National Wildlife
Refuges both here in Virginia and in Oregon. As a volunteer she works
toward conserving, restoring and maintaining urban wildlife refugees for
the benefit of wildlife and enjoyment of the community now and into the
future. Joan and her husband, Phil, are busy with their daughters, Maggie
and Kenna, who attend Prince William County schools.
Kelly Jimenez, Outreach and Education Specialist
Kelly joined the District in March
2008 as the coordinator for the Adopt-A-Stream program and an
Environmental Education program presenter in Prince William county
schools. Her background in Environmental Education includes working as a
naturalist in Glacier National Park, MT and nature centers in California
and Pennsylvania. She has also worked for the National Wildlife
Federation and the Wildlife Rescue League.
For the past several years Kelly
has home schooled her two daughters. Kelly enjoys recycling everything
she possibly can and dreams of living “off the grid” and riding a bike
across the USA someday.
Beata Coss, Conservation Specialist, II
I joined PWSWCD in
March, 2005 as a Conservation Specialist. My educational background covers
a M. S. degree from Hungary in the area of Agribusiness and Economy
specializing in Foreign Trade and Marketing. Living in Virginia
horse country, I was interested in knowing more about the local
agriculture and environment. That interest led me in 2002 to
volunteer for the District and work as a Conservation Specialist Aide.
During this time I recognized the challenges and the beauty in this area
and I became deeply inspired to join the group. I am a horse
enthusiast, rider and carriage driver in my free time. I am also a
big fan of dogs and cats. My other hobbies include crafting, designing,
and horse archery.
Nicole Ethier, Conservation Specialist, I
Nicole has been with PWSWCD since September, 2006.
She became interested in environmental conservation at the age of 11
when a local developer built homes behind her house while committing
several violations. Nicole earned her bachelor of science degree from
James Madison University in Integrated Science and Technology. Her work
with PWSWCD includes assisting local landowners with their land
management issues and organizing educational seminars for local
residents. Nicole’s interests include writing, cross-stitching, and
scrap booking. She also has a mini-lop bunny named Harley.
District Board of Directors
Steve Danziger, Chairman
Steve is a Senior Program Manager of Technology
Diversification for BAE Systems in Manassas and the former Director of
Operations for Micron Technology in Manassas. Steve has a BS in
Physics from Queens College, City University of New York and a MS in
Physics from Pennsylvania State University.
Steve is a member of Virginia Joint Commission Science
and Technology (Nanotechnology), the Prince William Service Authority
Board of Directors, Didlake Foundation Executive Board, and the IEEE
Science/Technology Public Policy Subcommittee. He was a former
member of the Prince William Park Authority, member of United Way of
American's Public Policy Board, President of United Way of Virginia,
Chairman of Prince William United Way Executive Board.
Steve holds over thirty patents and co-authored
publications on technical and management topics. He enjoys
swimming, tennis, reading and travel.
Matt Brooks, Vice-Chairman
Matt has a BS from Old Dominion University and a MS
from Virginia TECH. Matt is an Environmental Engineer, working in
the Water Treatment and Reuse field for the Upper Occoquan Service
Authority (UOSA). Before joining UOSA, Matt was employed by the
Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Lab in Manassas.
Matt is a member of the American Water Works
Association, Water Environment Association, Appalachian Trail
Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited.
Matt is married, has three children and enjoys
backpacking, camping, fishing and golfing.
Paige Thacker, Secretary
Paige is the Horticulture Agent for Virginia Cooperative
Extension in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.
She has a BS in Ornamental Horticulture and a MS in Career and Technical
Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Her work experience includes 11 years as Propagation Manager for a large
wholesale perennial nursery in Southwest Virginia. She has been
with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) since 2002 and in the Prince
William Unit since 2003.
The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) program at
VCE-Prince William provides environmental and pesticide safety education
for homeowners, volunteers and the green industry. Over 150 Master
Gardener volunteers assist ENR program staff with providing sustainable
landscape management practices that homeowners can implement in their
landscape.
Paige grew up in Prince William County. She enjoys
gardening and time with friends and family.
Austin B. Haynes, Jr. , Treasurer
Austin is a student at Grand Canyon University, and
the owner of Christopher Real Estate in Manassas. He is an Eagle
Scout and has served the local community with the Boys and Girls Clubs
and Boy Scouts. He has chaired the City of Manassas Recreation and
Parks Committee and is a former Planning Commissioner.
Austin lives in Nokesville, is married with two
children and they enjoy their horses and goats.
L. Ben Thompson
L. Ben Thompson was nominated to fill the vacated position
of Alexander P. Lucas, III on the Board of Directors of the Prince William
Soil and Water Conservation District on October 16, 2008. The nomination
was approved by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board on November
21, 2008. His term will expire on January 1, 2012.
Mr. Thompson served as the
Brentsville District Supervisor for the Prince William County Board of
Supervisors for eight years. Mr. Thompson is a member of the American
Legion, Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyal Order of Moose the
Dairy Shrine Club, Friends of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre,
Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department and the Committee of 100. He is a
former member of the Board of Directors of the Prince William Boys and
Girls Club, Prince William County representative to the Potomac
Rappahannock Transportation Committee, Committee on Noise Abatement for
National and Dulles Airports, Virginia Municipal League General Laws
Steering Committee and the Virginia Association of Counties Finance
Steering Committee.
Mr. Thompson received his Bachelor
of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Illinois and later
attended the University of Maryland for Graduate Studies in
Agriculture/Economics.
Mr. Thompson is a veteran of the
United States Navy, a graduate of the Reserve Naval Academy at Columbia
University, New York, and served in the South Pacific.
Mr. Thompson has a distinguished
federal career as Agricultural Attaché in the domestic and foreign
agricultural services with American Embassies in Mexico City and New
Zealand. Since retiring from the federal government, Mr. Thompson has
been self-employed as a Realtor.
Mr. Thompson lives in Dunbarton.
