Board of Directors

John Lehmkuhl

President

John earned degrees in wildlife biology (Humboldt State University), wildlife ecology (University of Montana) and a PhD in forest science (University of Washington).  As a U.S. Forest Service research wildlife biologist, he has worked at both the Olympia and Wenatchee forestry sciences labs, and has had adjunct faculty appointments at EWU, WSU, and UW.  John and his wife, Katherine March, have been active CDLT members since 2002.  John has served on the CDLT Lands Committee for a decade.  John is an active horseman and long-time member of Appleatchee Riders, as well as an all-round outdoor enthusiast. At his Squilchuck canyon log home, newly retired John is most likely to be out in his barn/shop, or at his leather-working bench. As a board member, John will help guide CDLT land stewardship, applying his understanding of wildlife and the ecology of the Pacific NW ecosystems.

“I want to contribute to the excellent work of the CDLT in conserving urban & rural wildlands, which are essential to the high quality of life that we enjoy in north central Washington.  My education and experience with wildlife and wildland ecology and management, and my long-time involvement with the horse community, I hope will add important dimensions to the CDLT Board.”
 

Suzanne Hartman

Vice President

Suzanne Hartman is a 30-year communications professional and dually accredited by both the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. Suzanne is Manager of Communications for the Chelan County PUD. She has over twenty years of public relations/public affairs agency experience. She had her own public relations firm for 10 years focusing on environmental PR and sustainability. She successfully sold the firm to a national agency and worked for that agency creating one of the top five national environmental PR practices. She also worked on Capitol Hill in D.C. for Sen. Warren G. Magnuson and Rep. Howard Pollock of Alaska; and she worked for four years in television at two local Seattle network affiliates.

More than two-thirds of my life has been spent exploring and studying the mountains, waters, canyons and plateaus of our beautiful state. To say that I am a conservationist doesn’t quite capture my reality, but it’s close. The Land Trust answers two key questions for me: “Why do I care; and What does it mean to me?” This is a journey I am looking forward to taking with you.

Steve Jacobs

Secretary/Treasurer

Steve Jacobs has lived in the Wenatchee Valley area since 1984 and moved to Leavenworth in 2002. Steve and his wife, Juli, love the outdoors and what it has to offer. They enjoy hiking, camping, running and cross country skiing. Steve is a CPA and semi-retired from Confluence Health and served as Controller and CFO for Central Washington Hospital and Vice President of Finance for Confluence Health. Steve has served on various boards including United Way and the Women’s Resource Center and currently serves as the public member of the Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority.

“We are fortunate to live in this special place and it is vital that this wonderland is preserved for current and future generations. The mission and activities of CDLT support this and I am honored to serve as a Board Member.”

David Visser

Past President

David Visser maintains a legal practice with an emphasis on trust and estate matters, business matters, and civil litigation. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Seattle Pacific University and a graduate of the Washington State Bar Association Law Clerk Program.

"I grew up hiking and biking in the Wenatchee foothills, where I developed a love for nature and open spaces.  I observed the transactions and growth of the CDLT over the past decade from a distance while attending college in the Seattle area and starting my career as an attorney.  During that time, I developed an appreciation for the strategic and collaborative manner in which the CDLT has approached its mission and ultimately achieved its successes.  After 13 years in the Seattle area, I returned to Wenatchee with my family in 2012.  I became involved with the CDLT on a work project last spring as a way to give back to the trails that I use, and from there increased my involvement by joining the stewardship and trails committees.  I want to help the CDLT achieve its objectives because the success of the CDLT translates to success in developing healthy communities and preserving natural areas for future generations to enjoy"

John Zanol

Board Member

John is part of a fourth generation Wenatchee Valley orchardist family. Growing up, John roamed the dry hills above Orondo and fished in many lakes and rivers with his dad and grandpa. John attended Wenatchee Valley College and graduated from Gonzaga University and the University of Washington School of Medicine. After a residency at the University of Missouri, he worked in Missouri hospitals as an emergency room physician and as a clinical instructor. As a medical director, he frequently brought disparate parties from multiple levels together to find solutions to meet common goals--skills he brings to the CDLT board. Prior to retirement and their move back to Wenatchee in 2010, John and his wife Jane joined CDLT in 2008. He is now a daily user of the foothills trails and, as a new retiree, is an avid canoeist, angler, and hiker.

"I am delighted and honored to participate in CDLT's operation and future. I moved back to our beautiful valley for my family and the land."

Chris Stahler

Board Member

Chris Stahler came to Wenatchee in 1969, joining the Wenatchee Valley clinic as a general, vascular, and chest surgeon. He retired from active practice about fifteen years ago but continues to work part-time assisting in surgery. He has been active on several Boards, including North Central Washington Community Foundation, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, and Wellness Place. Concerned about issues regarding the hills and valleys surrounding our community, he became active with CDLT. Chris is currently serving his second term as a Board member.

Geordie Romer

Board Member

Geordie Romer lives in Cashmere, and has been a real estate agent in Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee since 2004. Previously he spent nine years as backcountry ranger with the National Park Service, most of it in the North Cascades. As a North Central Washington Association of Realtors board member, he worked zoning and land use planning issues. His academic background in environmental policy, wilderness experience, and real estate knowledge bring a unique perspective to CDLT. Geordie is serving his second term on the CDLT Board of Directors.

“Following Aldo Leopold’s rules for intelligent tinkering – ‘save all the pieces’ - finding and saving our ‘important pieces’ is an exciting and noble goal.”

Bruce Williams

Board Member

Bruce Williams fell in love with this area while backpacking in the Enchantments in 1971. Today he, his wife Gro Buer, and their daughter live in Leavenworth where they enjoy the natural beauty, the many outdoor activities and the strong sense of community. Bruce is a retired CEO, lawyer and Peace Corps Volunteer and served nearly 20 years on the board of the Cascade Land Conservancy (now “Forterra”).

"I support CDLT because it conserves our natural environment and builds community, literally and figuratively finding common ground among diverse stakeholders. I am excited to serve on CDLT’s board to help our region protect outstanding natural landscapes, enhance world class outdoor recreation and maintain a strong economy"

Jack Mynatt

Board Member

When Jack was a college professor, he and his family spent 25 summers in Leavenworth, hiking, backpacking, and climbing. Jack has carpentry and electrician skills, used in building two homes. As a PhD psychologist, he taught advanced statistics and research design, authored psychology textbooks, and served as a principal investigator on research grants. After retiring from Bowling Green State University, he became a permanent Leavenworth resident, taking up skiing and kayaking, and joined the CDLT in 2011. The CDLT Board will benefit from Jack’s mathematical and analytical abilities.

“I first came to Leavenworth in 1974 to backpack the Enchantments. I fell in love with the land - the mountains, the rivers, a bit later the shrub-steppe. How can you stand at the top of Windy Ridge on a sunny winter day, look at the Cascades in one direction and the Columbia River in the other, and not feel blessed? But as I've lived in the Wenatchee valley, I've come to love our community, this remarkable group of smart, accomplished, dedicated people, as much as I do the land. How can you be around them and not feel blessed? For me, being on the CDLT Board is a way to give something back for being lucky enough to live here.”

Bill Gaines

Board Member

Bill Gaines resides in Leavenworth with his wife Susan and daughter Emily. They have lived in the Wenatchee Valley for about 25 years. Their daughter was born and raised in this fantastic area and she often tells them how fortunate she feels to call this place her home, and how much she enjoys the people and outdoors that are important to our quality of life. Bill is a scientist working in the field of resource conservation. He was a wildlife biologist with the US Forest Service for 27 years, and is now the Executive Director of the Washington Conservation Science Institute, a small natural resource research firm. As a practicing conservationist, Bill understand the importance of education, collaboration, and communication, all grounded in a strong science understanding.

"I have witnessed the growth of the CDLT, from a small grassroots organization to one of the premiere land trusts in our region, if not the country. This has occurred because of the strong and visionary leadership of directors, board members, and staff. The CDLT has, and will continue, to make significant contributions to our quality of life. I consider the opportunity to serve on the board of CDLT as a means of giving back to the communities of the Wenatchee Valley that have meant so much to our family and to future generations.”

Anne Hessburg

Board Member

Anne Hessburg is an environmental planner for Grette Associate, where she works with shoreline and critical area land use permits. She enjoys making development projects work by helping people coordinate and design their projects in a way that complies with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. As Anne describes it, it is a “win-win situation.” A Leavenworth resident, she is a Planning Commissioner for the City of Leavenworth and serves on the Board of the City’s Residential Advisory Committee. Her professional role and personal involvement in environmental issues provide a rich context for understanding the demographics and stewards of our counties. Anne is serving her second term on the CDLT Board of Directors.

“Land conservation, environmental sustainability and outdoor recreation are part of my everyday life. My values and ethics mirror those outlined in the CDLT mission.”

Jennifer Korfiatis

Board Member

Jennifer owns a freelance marketing and public relations agency in Wenatchee, and works with a variety of companies throughout the Pacific Northwest. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Wenatchee Valley College where she teaches business, entrepreneurship, and marketing classes, and is a partner in AdventureWenatchee.

“My family spends a great deal of time enjoying the Wenatchee Foothills. I enjoy trail running, my husband is a mountain biker, and my son hikes. As a family, we are so grateful to the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust for their efforts in developing and maintaining this wonderful system, and I believe my involvement with the Board of Directors is one way we are able to give back and help this organization grow.”

Celeste Barry

Board Member

Coming Soon!

Ron Feld

Board Member

Ron has been a Registered Nurse since 1982.  He currently teaches medical assistant students as an adjunct instructor at Charter College in East Wenatchee. Ron also owns Sunbreak Greetings, a greeting card distributorship, which he has operated for 20 years. Prior to moving to Wenatchee Ron served on the Board of the Skagit Land Trust for nine years. Ron also practiced as a certified mediator – including serving as director of Skagit County Mediation services for five years. Ron has a Master’s degree in Education (Western Washington University), a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (Wayne State University) and a Bachelor’s of Arts in History (University of Michigan). He has been married to Lorna Klemanski for 35 years. 

“I passionately believe in the land trust movement and the work of our CDLT. I support our mission to ‘engage communities in conserving, caring for, and accessing the natural lands and waters that sustain North Central Washington.’ I seek to maintain and enhance our organization’s commitment, collaboration and effectiveness in securing, stewarding, and leaving a legacy of land, and a conservation ethic, to future generations.”

Cody Gillin

Board Member

Cody Gillin was born and raised in Wenatchee where his family has roots dating to the early 1900s. He earned degrees from Western Washington University and Virginia Tech and spent time traveling in Latin America before returning to the area in 2014. He and his wife Maura spend much of their free time enjoying the diversity of landscapes found in North Central Washington. Cody manages fish restoration and water conservation projects for Trout Unlimited.

“Serving the CDLT through board and committee membership is an expression of my conservation ethos. Lands and waters are the lifeblood of this community; they nourish crops, provide electricity, sustain fisheries and wildlife, and enrich the lives of all who experience their power and wonder.”
 

Scott Volyn

Board Member

Scott Volyn has maintained a legal practice with an emphasis on civil litigation in Wenatchee for 26 years.  His practice includes trial activity in district, superior, appellate, and federal courts.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in European History/English Literature from Walla Walla University/Whitman College, a graduate degree from Washington State University, and a law degree from the University of Idaho.  In addition, Scott has served and continues to serve as a college professor for over 28 years, currently teaching courses in business law, juvenile justice, and Arrest, Search and Seizure at Wenatchee Valley College.

"For many years I have joyfully trudged over the trails of North Central Washington, training and competing in trail races and ultramarathons. Over the years I’ve noticed the growing community interest in trail use and development.  I’ve developed an interest in and admiration for the work of the Land Trust as they have continued to balance the needs of a growing and active population with the ongoing value of providing access while protecting the fragile and unique natural resources which make our region one of the most beautiful places on the globe. I want to be of service to the CDLT both to assist it in reaching the long term goal of balancing preservation and use as well as to “give back” as the CDLT has indirectly provided a tremendous benefit to myself and my family.”
 

Todd Kiesz

Legal Counsel

Born in Eugene, Oregon, Todd earned his law degree from the University of Washington and joined the Wenatchee firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn and Aylward in 1996. His practice areas include estate planning, real estate, corporate and commercial law. Together with his wife Amy and their four children ages five through eleven, he enjoys being part of this community and has been actively involved in different community charities and events through the years. His favorite outdoor pursuits include skiing, biking, running and windsurfing. Todd was awarded special recognition at our 2011 Annual Dinner for his outstanding effort navigating CDLT through the legal issues of complicated land transactions. He has served as Legal Counsel for the Land Trust since 1998.

“I very much enjoy the opportunity to be involved in our community helping to secure the natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.”