Pete discovered his passion for working with soil while working with a community based non-profit called the New Community Project in Harrisonburg Virginia, as a student at James Madison University. From there, he went on to attend a semester with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia, and study natural building and homesteading in the mountains of Vermont and New York.
Staff and Board Listing
For general inquiries email pec@pecva.org or call our headquarters office at 540-347-2334.
Dana Melby
Dana joined The Piedmont Environmental Council in October 2018. She is serving as the Gilberts Corner Farm & Land Manager, working at Roundabout Meadows Community Farm to create a more inclusive, equitable food system in Loudoun County.
Tubbs, Sean
Sean Tubbs joined the PEC as a field representative in June 2018 following a long stint covering land use and transportation for Charlottesville Tomorrow. In that role, Sean helped citizens understand the impact of decisions made by government officials in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Particular interests include transportation systems, monitoring water quality and the intricate details of zoning. In his new position, Sean is looking forward to using his knowledge to help promote smart growth principles that will strengthen our communities.
Evan McCarthy
Evan joined the Piedmont Environmental Council in July of 2018. He currently serves as a field representative in Loudoun and Clarke with the majority of his work focusing on various land use issues. Prior to PEC, Evan worked for a civil engineering firm as a Right of Way Manager overseeing utility easement acquisition on the Dominion Strategic Underground Project.
Donaldson, Cindy
Cindy Donaldson joined PEC staff in the spring of 2018. Prior to working at PEC, Cindy served as the Director of Finance and Human Resources for the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational & Conference Center in Front Royal, VA. She brings over 20 years of accounting experience to her positon, 15 years of which are working for non-profit organizations. Prior to being employed at the 4-H Center she worked for an animal adoption/rescue organization which also focused on humane education.
Claire Catlett
Claire Catlett joined PEC in the spring of 2017. Prior to working at PEC, Claire lived and worked for eight years in the Southwest, dedicating her studies and work towards the conservation and protection of our Western rivers. Claire holds degrees from Roanoke College (B.A. French, International Relations), and University of Denver (M.A. International Development, Sustainability and Environment). She has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Gila Resources Information Project in Silver City, New Mexico; Western Hardrock Watershed Team in Albuquerque; and Friends of the Verde River Greenway in Cottonwood, Arizona.
Cross, Robin
Robin Cross joined PEC in January to serve as the Fellowship Coordinator for 2017. The previous fall and winter, Robin volunteered at PEC and absolutely loved it! As a volunteer, she supported a wide range of projects throughout the organization and gained valuable experience in the conservation and non-profit world.
McCarthy, John
John W. McCarthy joined PEC staff in January 2017. John retired from local government in June of 2016 after 28 years as Rappahannock County Administrator.
Meet George and Jean, Our New Co-Chairs
PEC is excited to introduce the newly elected co-chairs of our Board—George Ohrstrom II of Clarke County and Jean Perin of Fauquier County!
A Conservation Ethic — A Profile of Marie Ridder
To say that Marie Ridder, 88, is an accomplished woman is an understatement—and as I drove to meet her for our interview, I was both excited and nervous. Marie has been a highly successful journalist and editor who would later devote her career to social and environmental issues.