Executive Committee
Matt Moses – President
Matt is President and CEO of USA Raft and has generously helped SAHC with rafting adventures on the Nolichucky River in connection with SAHC’s Lost Cove property, including a raft-out-the trash volunteer cleanup of SAHC’s property. Matt focuses on helping others experience the beauty of our region by getting people out on the rivers and trails in the area. Mattspends his personal time on (and off) a stand up paddleboard on the local rivers.
Jeff Needham – Vice President
Jeff lives in Kingsport and is retired from Eastman Chemical Company. He is passionate about the environment and SAHC’s mission. He brings to SAHC strong leadership, analytical, and strategic planning skills, plus close ties with community leaders in Kingsport. He has been a champion of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work.
Nancy Edgerton – Treasurer
Nancy previously served on SAHC’s board, including a term as President, and has continued to volunteer on our Governance Committee. She and her husband Ron are dedicated participants in our hikes, outings and special events. Nancy is a talented photographer and cellist, and she serves on the Asheville Symphony board.
Tom Williams – Secretary
Tom recently retired from Duke Energy as its Director of Corporate Media and Executive Support. He and his wife Laurie especially appreciate the conservation easements SAHC holds on land in Fairview. Tom is enthusiastic about helping SAHC with communications, development and engagement
Sheryl Aikman – At-Large
Sheryl recently served as Vice-President of Development with the Community Foundation of WNC. Over the years, she has helped structure and administers SAHC’s long-term investment funds at the Community Foundation. Sheryl previously served on the Blue Ridge Public Radio board.
Sarah Davis
Sarah is a landscape designer with expertise in southern Appalachian plants. She is especially interested in assisting SAHC with their Stewardship and Land Management activities.
Joe DeLoach
Joe is a longtime passionate SAHC leader. He previously served on SAHC’s board in the 1990s and early 2000s, and has served as Board Chair. He serves as a Technology Fellow with Eastman.
Mary Fanslow
Mary works with Eastman and served on SAHC’s board from 2001 to 2007. She is passionate about the Highlands of Roan and has been a continued leader of conservation. Mary is also closely involved in Girl Scouts.
Miranda (Randy) Hunter
Randy is a long-time, active member of the French Broad River Garden Club, and enjoys studying horticulture and applying the science to her garden. On behalf of the French Broad River Garden Club, Randy helped assemble and coordinate the nomination of SAHC for the 2020 Garden Club of America’s national Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal, a rewarding process that secured the award on SAHC’s behalf.
Pam Kelley
Pam retired from Eastman, where she served as Director of Global Credit. Her background is in the Accounting and Credit Management division. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking and biking. After learning of SAHC’s work, she looks forward to being involved and supporting its mission.
Popsie Lynch
Popsie lives in Fairview on farmland that has been in her family for several generations and worked with SAHC to protect part of her property through a conservation easement. She has a career background in writing, editorial work, and graphic design. She is a passionate gardener and enjoys travel and sharing her farm with her seven grandchildren.
Larry (Pender) Pender
Pender retired from NYU, where he served as an administrator. He and his wife, Tanya Marie founded Pathways to Parks a couple of years ago to encourage and support inclusivity and access for all people, especially people of color; to enjoy hiking and outdoor recreation. He enjoys many outdoor activities including cycling, hiking and tennis. Pender has been a dedicated member and looks forward to supporting SAHC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative
Rich Preyer
Rich served two years as SAHC’s Americorps Member for Public Education and Outreach. He earned a Masters in Environmental Education from Antioch University in New Hampshire and is currently a Youth Education Associate with the NC Arboretum. Rich is enthusiastic about our Connecting People with Land program and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative.
Chris Soto
Chris retired as senior editor and content manager with the Land Trust Alliance after 17 years, where she managed the award-winning quarterly magazine, Saving Land. Before the Alliance, Chris managed publications at the Wildlife Habitat Council and American Farmland Trust. She and her husband are dedicated participants in SAHC events and outings and are active with the East Tennessee birding community.
Allison Williams
Allison is an information staffer with USDA national forests in SC. She previously worked with Cherokee National Forest and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Allison is a leader in increasing outdoor recreation access for people of color and career opportunities in public lands.
