Ohio Wetlands Association
Board Members and Officers
Alex Anderson
Board Member
Alex Anderson is a full stack developer with experience in higher education Information Technology (IT) and a consultant at private companies developing IT solutions for infrastructure, operational security, inventory management, and system integrations.
Wendy Baker
Board Member
Wendy Baker is the education/ outreach coordinator for Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District. She provides environmental education programs and support for all grade levels of the schools in Defiance County- public, parochial, and private.
Matt Cochran
Board Member
Matt Cochran has over 24 years of experience specializing in all aspects of wetland and stream restoration, including feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed design, construction oversight and compliance monitoring..
Mark Dilley
Ambassador &
Past President
Mark Dilley serves as Chief Scientist at MAD Scientist Associates, bringing over 30 years of expertise in wetland science, field biology, ecology, and environmental studies.
Theresa Dirksen
Board Member
Theresa Dirksen is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Director for Mercer County and the Mercer SWCD Engineer.
Dr. Stephen Jacquemin
Board Member
Dr. Stephen Jacquemin has held a lifelong interest in nature and environmental conservation. He holds a BS in Biology from Ohio Northern University as well as a MS and PhD in Environmental Science from Ball State University.
Kurt Keljo
Board Member
Kurt Keljo was a watershed coordinator and then watershed resource specialist at Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District from 2011 until his retirement in 2021.
Laura Manns
Board Member
Laura Manns is educator who is committed to engaging youth in authentic, place-based learning opportunities. Laura’s focus is to ensure conceptual understanding of content and to foster critical thinking skills.
Joyce Marzano
Treasurer, Acting Secretary, & Board Member
Joyce Marzano has over 20 years of professional experience working in wetlands throughout the Midwest. Currently, Joyce manages wetland and stream restoration projects throughout Ohio.
Mick Micacchion
Ambassador &
Past Vice President
Mick Micacchion is retired from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, where he played a pivotal role protecting wetlands in his home state of Ohio.
Ray Stewart
Ambassador &
Past Vice President
Ray Stewart was a founding member of the group Friends of Wetlands in 1991. In 2011 Ray became President, establishing the group as a formal non-profit under the name Ohio Wetlands Association.content and to foster critical thinking skills.
Gabriella Valerius
Board Member
Gabi Valerius holds a BA in Pre-professional Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MPH in Veterinary Public Health from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Robert Verb
Board Member
Dr. Robert Verb currently serves as a professor of Environmental and Field Biology at Ohio Northern University where he teaches classes in botany, freshwater ecology, natural history, geology, and biogeography.
Our Mission