Board of Trustees at Connecticut River Conservancy Board of Trustees We are continually rewarded by the generous gifts of time and skill from members of the CRC Board of Trustees. All are seasoned experts in fields ranging from the environment and education, to legal, corporate business, and finance. The dedicated folks on our Board offer us the know-how and long-range thinking that helps keep CRC moving in the right direction. We cannot thank them enough. Board Members are listed in alphabetical order by first name. Bob Dryfoos Trustee Retired computer software architect & experienced in board leadership. Read More Christine Palm Trustee Former State Rep. in CT & legislative champion for the environment & working families. Read More Janki Darity Trustee 15+ years of experience in regulatory compliance and ethical responsibility. Read More Paul Detwiler Trustee Experienced in law, energy policy/research, and environmental remediation. Read More Tony Judge Trustee Former broadcasting executive and radio, television, & film producer, and wildlife nonprofit board vice-chair. Read More Bob Sproull Trustee Computer scientist, rower, and experienced conservationist and board manager. Read More David Deen Trustee Former CRC River Steward + 30 years as a VT legislator advocating for river protections. Read More Leslie Harris Trustee, Board Chair Nonprofit administrator for 25+ years, orchard manager, and outdoor enthusiast. Read More Stephen Gephard Trustee, Vice Chair Fisheries biologist and consultant, formerly with CTDEEP for 42 years. Read More Candace Damon Trustee Creates sustainable urban redevelopment strategies in cities across North America. Read More Geoffrey Habron Trustee Former professor of Fisheries/Wildlife; current focus on equitable climate resilience. Read More Michael Simpson Trustee Environmental Scientist & Professor Emeritus at Antioch University New England. Read More Tim Lewis Trustee, Secretary Avid paddler and conservationist retired after a career in manufacturing. Read More Honorary Trustees Raul de Brigard Land Use Consultant Higganum, CT Ed Gray Author Lyme, NH Susan Merrow Environmental Lobbyist East Haddam, CT Jim Okun Principal, O'Reilly, Talbot, and Okun Ellington, CT Ronald Poltak Retired, Executive Director, NEIWPCC Auburn, NH John Sinton Retired, Professor of Geography, Land-Use and Environmental Planning, Human Ecology Florence, MA Annette Spaulding Retired, Spaulding & Harris Tax Service Bellows Falls, VT Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Staff at Connecticut River Conservancy CRC Staff We are very fortunate to have a talented staff stewarding CRC's work. Meet the people behind the mission. Executive Director Rebecca Todd She/Her, rtodd at ctriver.org, (413) 834-9457 For over 30 years Rebecca has advised organizations, individuals, and businesses in matters related to environmental, educational, contractual, employment, and non-profit management. Prior to joining Connecticut River Conservancy in October 2023, Rebecca served as General Counsel for Antioch University, as Associate Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Washington in the Education and Ecology divisions, and litigated cases for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc. (now Earthjustice) and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. related to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and hazardous waste laws. Rebecca also teaches environmental law, legal advocacy, and other subjects nationally and internationally. In addition to these professional accomplishments, Rebecca grew up in the Connecticut River watershed, has raised a family while stewarding farmland along the river in New Hampshire, and is cultivating a new passion for the sport of rowing. Staff Members Alphabetical by first name Alix Kaplan Content Coordinator akaplan at ctriver.org 413-834-7953 They/Them Read More Angela Chaffee Grant Strategist & Writer achaffee at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 204 She/Her Read More Caitlin Maguire NH Restoration Project Manager cmaguire at ctriver.org 603-703-5192 She/Her Read More Donna "Lucky" Riggs Finance Assistant driggs at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Kathy Urffer Director of Policy and Advocacy kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 She/Her Read More Lauren Zielinski Stream Restoration Specialist lzielinski at ctriver.org 603 325-7022 She/Her Read More Mary McCaughey Development Coordinator mmccaughey at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Nina Gordon-Kirsch River Steward in Massachusetts ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 She/Her Read More Sam Stegeman Operations Manager sstegeman at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 200 He/Him Read More Susan Heitker Chief Development Officer sheitker at ctriver.org 413-490-9197 She/Her Read More Amanda Major Outreach & Events Coordinator amajor at ctriver.org 413-253-6855 She/They Read More Ansel Appleton Staff Accountant aappleton at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 He/Him Read More Charles Soucy Stormwater Project Manager csoucy at ctriver.org 802-490-9701 He/Him Read More Fritz Gerhardt Conservation Scientist fgerhardt at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 219 He/Him Read More Kelly Beerman AIS Program Manager kbeerman at ctriver.org 802-318-1390 She/Her Read More Mallory Strider Interim Director of Finance mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 She/Her Read More Melissa Langley Water Quality Program Manager mlangley at ctriver.org 413-450-8739 She/Her Read More Rebecca Budd Restoration Program Manager rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 She/Her Read More Stacey Lennard Events Manager & Source to Sea Cleanup Coordinator slennard at ctriver.org 413-325-5995 She/Her Read More Amber Lively River Steward in Connecticut alively at ctriver.org 860-681-3194 She/Her Read More Bay Holmes AmeriCorps Member bholmes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/They Read More Diana Chaplin Director of Communications dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 She/Her Read More Kate Buckman Aquatic Ecologist kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 She/Her Read More Laura Herbert Staff Accountant lherbert at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Marilla Harris-Vincent River Steward in New Hampshire mharrisvincent at ctriver.org 603-503-0419 She/Her Read More Nicole Reigle Assistant Director of Development nreigle at ctriver.org 413-325-3737 She/Her Read More Ron Rhodes Director of Programs rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 He/Him Read More Stefanie Farrington Aquatic Ecology Program Associate sfarrington at ctriver.org 603-703-5657 She/Her Read More Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

sstegeman at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 200 He/Him < Back Sam Stegeman Operations Manager Sam joined CRC in 2024, and he is likely to be the person to answer your call to the office or greet when you visit the CRC Headquarters in Greenfield. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in Environmental Studies. Prior to CRC, Sam served nine years as the Executive Director of the Vermont Wilderness School in Brattleboro and five years on the program team at Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) in South Deerfield. Sam spent his adolescence in the Westport River watershed of southeastern Massachusetts, and since 2006 he and his family have lived alongside the South River in Conway. He got to know CRC through volunteering for water quality monitoring, and today is thrilled to bring his affinity for nonprofit development to such a great organization with such a fun and dedicated staff. sstegeman at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 200 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

kbeerman at ctriver.org 802-318-1390 She/Her < Back Kelly Beerman AIS Program Manager Kelly joined the CRC team in May 2025 as the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager. She is responsible for directing, coordinating, and executing CRC’s work regarding hydrilla, water chestnut, and all aquatic invasives throughout the Connecticut River watershed. This includes current community education & outreach initiatives as well as designing and implementing future projects. Kelly is particularly interested in collaborating with local river and lake communities within the watershed. Before coming to CRC, Kelly was a director of conservation for a Vermont non-profit, a manager for two Vermont AIS prevention programs, a summer camp program manager & administrator, an environmental & wildlife educator, a research student studying cooperative invasive species management between landowners, and a lifeguard. Kelly holds an M.S. in Forestry with a focus on community collaboration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.A. in Environmental Studies & Anthropology from Juniata College. She lives with her partner, son, and two dogs on the Vermont side of the Upper Valley. Kelly loves paddling and hiking with friends & family and playing roller derby for Twin State Derby. kbeerman at ctriver.org 802-318-1390 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

cmaguire at ctriver.org 603-703-5192 She/Her < Back Caitlin Maguire NH Restoration Project Manager Caitlin Maguire is a conservation professional with a background in wildlife research, habitat restoration, and environmental education. Her work has taken her from collaborative conservation efforts in southern New England to remote field settings in northern Maine, where she gained extensive hands‑on experience working at the intersection of wildlife, people, and landscapes. Originally from Rhode Island, Caitlin ran and operated restaurants and events across Southern New England for 17 years. She then began work with Roger Williams Park Zoo on conservation research and species recovery initiatives, supporting monitoring, habitat management, and reintroduction efforts for federally and state‑listed species including the American Burying Beetle, New England Cottontail and the Timber Rattlesnake. Caitlin also spent several years living and working off‑grid in the North Maine Woods as a Conservation Ranger while employed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Technology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management from Unity Environmental University. Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys exploring rivers and forests through hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting. She has traveled the Allagash Waterway, completed all of New Hampshire’s 4,000‑footers and still enjoys cooking, gardening, foraging, and preserving food. cmaguire at ctriver.org 603-703-5192 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

mharrisvincent at ctriver.org 603-503-0419 She/Her < Back Marilla Harris-Vincent River Steward in New Hampshire Marilla joined CRC as the NH River Steward in January 2025. Prior to joining CRC, she worked as a research assistant helping develop an environmental health literacy and water education program on the Crow Reservation in Montana. Marilla holds a M.S. in Water Resource Policy and Management from East Central University. During this program she traveled to Lake Victoria in Kenya to participate in an intensive Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) program, deepening her knowledge in water and wastewater infrastructure systems, indigenous water technology, sustainable water practices, and international water law. She also received a B.A in Psychology and Environmental Science & Policy from Smith College. When not working, you can find Marilla outside hiking, skiing, gardening, and experimenting with fermentation. She lives in New Hampshire's Upper Valley with her husband, Jack, and their two dogs, Apple and Smokey mharrisvincent at ctriver.org 603-503-0419 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 He/Him < Back Ron Rhodes Director of Programs Ron joined CRC in 2011 as the northern NH & VT River Steward, before transitioning in 2020 to leading our Restoration Program where he spent most of his time removing old dams, planting trees, and working with landowners and partners to implement river restoration projects. Ron has served as the project manager for 29 aquatic organism passage projects, opening more than 425 miles of habitat. Now, Ron is the Director of Programs where he leads CRC’s various aquatic and riparian habitat programs (Aquatic Invasive Species, Migratory Fish, Recreation & Access, Restoration, and Water Quality Monitoring) throughout the watershed in NH, VT, MA and CT. rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

lzielinski at ctriver.org 603 325-7022 She/Her < Back Lauren Zielinski Stream Restoration Specialist Lauren joined the CRC staff as a Stream Restoration Specialist in July 2024. She has a BSc in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University and an MSc in Ecohydrology from UNESCO-IHE (now IHE Delft) in The Netherlands. She has worked in river science, watershed management, and environmental flows since 2010 and collaborated on projects across the United States and Africa. Some of her highlights include conducting environmental monitoring for stream restoration projects in Lake Tahoe, completing field work in Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park to determine environmental flows in the Mara River in Kenya and Tanzania, leading the first ever environmental flow assessment in the Ouémé River Delta in Benin, and coordinating training courses on water accounting in several countries in Northern Africa and the Near East. Lauren grew up in New Hampshire admiring the beautiful landscapes and waterways, but it wasn’t until she discovered stream restoration during an AmeriCorps internship did her appreciation for water really blossom. Now she works on all aspects of stream restoration, from grant funding and project management to engineering and construction oversight. When she’s not in the water, you can usually find Lauren hiking and camping in the woods or traveling the globe in search of adventure. lzielinski at ctriver.org 603 325-7022 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 She/Her < Back Kathy Urffer Director of Policy and Advocacy Kathy joined CRC in 2017. Prior to moving to Vermont, Kathy was Special Projects Manager and Operations Director for Hackensack Riverkeeper in New Jersey. In addition to managing the staff and day to day finances of the organization, she developed and ran their river cleanup program, assisted with their canoe and pontoon boat eco-cruise programs, managed stream restoration projects, and fish advisory, outreach and education projects. More recently she has served on the Board of the Southeastern Vermont Watershed Association, the Windham Regional Commission, and has worked on education projects related to wastewater treatment. Kathy holds a M.S. in Natural Resource Management from Antioch New England University, a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers, and is a former Vermont Leadership Institute Fellow from the Snelling Center for Government. She is a self-taught amateur botanist and herbalist and enjoys re-learning about the natural world through the eyes of her two children. kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

< Back David Deen Trustee David spent 19 years as a CRC River Steward and 30 years as a Vermont legislator, focusing on public policy and advocating for river protections. For most of his legislative career, he’s been on the Natural Resources/Water Resources committees. He helped found and now serves as chair of the VT/NH Connecticut River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and is a founding incorporator of the Vermont Community Foundation. He serves on the Vermont Climate Council, the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. David holds a M.S. from Antioch New England Graduate School and has been a NH licensed flyfishing guide for 20+ years, teaching people to fish while simultaneously teaching them the basics of healthy rivers. He tries to fish whenever he can. CRC@ctriver.org

sfarrington at ctriver.org 603-703-5657 She/Her < Back Stefanie Farrington Aquatic Ecology Program Associate Stefanie is passionate about aquatic conservation and endangered species protection, with an emphasis on freshwater mussels. A major focus of her career has been creating tangible outcomes to guide restoration and management decision-making, while also providing transparency to the public and improving efficiency without sacrificing data quality. She received her M.S. and B.A. from Clark University, where she studied the population genetics of freshwater pearl mussels in central and western Massachusetts. Stefanie has held several roles with non-profit, municipal, state, and federal agencies focused on the conservation of rare wildlife and wetlands protection in Massachusetts and the northeast United States. She received her PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2026, where she was part of the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and a Pathways Trainee with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At UMass, Stefanie worked on several applied research projects developed in partnership with key stakeholders including conservation organizations, government agencies, natural resource professionals, and policymakers. These projects included benthic mesohabitat mapping and characterization for species distribution modelling in large rivers, field- and laboratory-based ecological mussel-host fish assessments, and a range-wide synthesis of conservation and management needs for the yellow lampmussel. When not in the lab or the river, Stefanie enjoys playing board games, doing all kinds of crafts, and spending time outdoors. sfarrington at ctriver.org 603-703-5657 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

< Back Chief Financial Officer Position classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt Application deadline: September 14, 2026 Start date: November 1, 2026 Office location: Greenfield, MA with possibility for some remote work Health benefit eligible: Yes Retirement benefits eligible: Yes Supervisor: Executive Director Salary: $90,000 – $105,000 Position Description The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. The Chief Financial Officer will provide oversight, coordination, and execution of all financial duties and responsibilities for a growing non-profit. Improve and oversee accounting and control systems. Advise the Executive Director on investment, risk, liquidity, and audit issues. Staff the Board Finance Committee and serve on the Senior Leadership Team. Support the growth and success of the organization through leadership, strategic advice, and commitment to the mission. Primary Responsibilities Prepare and/or oversee all analyses of financial conditions. Report regularly to the Executive Director, Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Board on the financial health of the organization. Provide strategic financial advice and direction over both short and long-term planning horizons. Guide the development of the budget, tactical plans, NICRA, and performance metrics required to achieve orderly growth. Manage all financial statement audits and single audits as required. Review and manage tax returns prepared by tax service provider. Oversee and evaluate investment portfolio performance. Assist ED in managing organizational risk, including regulatory compliance issues and the timely filing of local, state, and federal reports. Maintain the chart of accounts for all programs and grants. Evaluate and improve the systems that support the financial functions of the organization. Design and maintain a system of accounting policies, procedures and controls that are understood and supported by all relevant staff. Assure all expenditures conform to restrictions of GAAP and Connecticut River Conservancy By-laws and policies. Manage the closing process and the recording of all financial transactions, including a general ledger, cash receipts journal, disbursements journal, payroll journal, accounts receivable and any other documentation necessary to accurately reflect financial activity. Assure that accounting of funds complies with state and grant regulations (including allowable costs, governmental auditing rules, and subrecipient monitoring and management). Supervise the four-person Finance Team. Exercise excellent independent judgment and initiative. Other work as assigned. Qualifications We understand that many people who may be impacted by biased hiring standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC applicants, may only apply if they meet every requirement listed in a job posting. If you are interested in this opportunity and believe you meet most of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply. CPA, MBA, or significant experience as a senior accountant, auditor or controller. Experience in successfully managing large and complex state and federal awards and contracts. Experience with single audits. Ability to clearly explain financial information to staff, board and the general public. Experience in non-profit finance administration. Experience in Human Resources. Being of good cheer and in possession of a sense of humor. Salary and Benefits CRC provides medical, dental and vision benefits, ample paid time off, and up to a 3% match for retirement. Office Location Greenfield, MA with possibility for some remote work. Application Instructions To apply for the position, use the form below to upload your cover letter and resume as a combined PDF. Please name your file with your first and last name. Application Deadline September 14, 2026 Overview of the Organization The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and its tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation events, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports efforts for resilient and life-filled rivers from source to sea. We are uniquely positioned to leverage local, state, regional, and federal resources as the only science-based nonprofit working throughout the entire watershed. Our values of collaboration, integrity, purpose, and adaptability guide our ongoing work to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Together through community engagement and education, we’re helping to ensure healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org . The Connecticut River Conservancy is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and will engage in an inclusive recruiting and hiring process. It considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Apply Now First name Last name Email Phone Applying for Choose an option How did you hear about this job? 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