Michael C. Collins

Executive Director

540-672-2542

Michael Collins has been the Executive Director of The American Climate Partners since 2012, when he led the merger of Conserv with Public Policy Virginia, Inc. (PPV), a non-profit organization focused on the use of biomass for combined heat and power.

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Jeff Waldon

Director, Rapidan Institute

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Mary Dennis

Administrative Manager

Mary Dennis lives Orange County, Virginia, where she and her husband have a small farm growing produce for market and seed stock for organic seed catalogs. For the previous 15 years, she worked in the nonprofit sector, most recently in administrative operations at the Pew Charitable Trusts and The Wilderness Society, both in Washington DC. In past lives, she also worked in client services for small technology companies in Northern Virginia and Ohio and, at the beginning of her career, managed an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. She has a BA in English literature and creative writing from the Ohio State University, an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and has visited all 50 states.

Dan Paparella

Program Manager, SoilKeepers and Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

Attracted to ACP for the diverse work they are doing in relation to restoring nature, building resilient communities, and mitigating climate change, Dan hopes that he can utilize and expand upon his knowledge and skills in landscaping, agriculture, and environmental stewardship to help further ACP’s mission. Since graduating from the University of Massachusetts with his B.S. in Environmental Science, in May 2019, Dan has spent his time learning and performing organic farming, gardening, and landscaping work, substitute teaching, and performing outreach to expand public recreational opportunities in the Upper Delaware River region.

Caleb Pellmann

Agriculture and Wildlife Habitat Services Manager, SoilKeepers

Virginia born and raised, Caleb joined ACP in Spring 2022.  In his time at ACP, Caleb hopes to improve the resiliency of his home of Orange County by connecting residents with the local systems that maintain and improve the health of our area.  Since graduating from William and Mary with a B.S. in Biology, Caleb has pursued fine woodworking, architectural salvage, and green design.  At home Caleb and family cultivate a ¼ acre no-till vegetable and seed garden where they focus on soil health as the basis of nutrition.  In his free time Caleb can be found canoeing on Mine Run, juggling or skateboarding. 

Paul Hepler

Estate and Residential Lawn Services Manager, SoilKeepers

Paul joins us this year with experience in landscaping, lawn management, and a focus in organic gardening techniques. During his time working in this industry, he has owned and maintained his own business operation working with many residential homeowners and estate owners throughout Virginia. He is excited to join our ranks and learn more about using organic and regenerative techniques to restore our soils and maintain our climate.

Justin Agee

Field Technician, SoilKeepers

Born and raised in a small town in Missouri, Justin has always had a love for the outdoors and adventure. This love turned into a passion for worldwide experience and knowledge, which led Justin on a journey of military service for nine years, during which he worked as a military intelligence electronic warfare specialist (electronics geek), providing him the opportunity to travel to many of the 50 states, as well as internationally to South Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and other undisclosed locations. Upon completion of service, Justin pursued his dream of becoming a fisheries biologist. He earned a BS in Biology with an emphasis in Fish and Wildlife Management from Augusta State University in Georgia in 2011, then found himself on many fishing boats in and around Alaska working for the National Marine Fisheries Service. After that experience, Justin’s persistent endeavor for knowledge, education, and adventure led him to Virginia, where he wants to spread the love, knowledge,  and appreciation of the outdoors.

Wilder Meade

Project Manager, StreamSweepers

Wilder joined the StreamSweepers crew in 2019, first as a Sweeper, then as an On-Water Manager. In 2023, he is now the Project Manager, overseeing our clean-up program in Southwest Virginia. While at Eastside High School in Wise County, he volunteered in many extracurricular clean-up projects in Southwest Virginia. This year, he is responsible for a maintenance sweep of the Clinch River in Russell County and the assessment and clean-up of the river in Tazewell County.

Andy Satterwhite

On-Water Manager, StreamSweepers

Andy joined the crew in 2021. He is a graduate of Rappahannock Community College and is currently pursuing a degree in Biology from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.  He strives to promote good stewardship of our natural resources through community involvement and hard work.   

Clinch River StreamSweepers

2022 Crew Members

Standing in front of the truck (from left): Larry Phillips, Gavin Birkhimer, Tristen Fultz, Andy Satterwhite, Wilder Meade. In the truck bed (from left): Isiah Alty (seated), Haili Phillips, Alex Ward, Bryona Ward, Christina Moyer. 

Mary “Maddie” Gordon

Special Advisor, StreamSweepers

Maddie worked for StreamSweepers from 2017 through 2022, leaving to devote more time to her family’s business ventures: Greystone Manor, an assisted living facility located in Castlewood, and Clinch Life Outfitters in St. Paul.

Richard “Buzz” Van Santvoord

Special Advisor, Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

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Myron Neuhauser

Special Advisor, Farm Fields and Grasslands

Myron Neuhaser has significant experience in farm management consulting, operations, agronomy, and urgent-operations management including animal care, maintenance and repair. Born and raised in South Dakota, he has worked throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern US regions.

Staff photos atop the Rapidan Mill courtesy of Evan Clinthorne.