Board of Directors & Volunteers

PictureBkC Board Members Fall 2016
PictureOpen Position- Executive Director














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PictureJen Braucher - Board Member
Jennifer Braucher hails from a long line of volunteerism and family involvement in not for profit causes.  A New Jersey transplant, Jen's commitment to not for profits and her give back attitude make her a valuable addition to the board. Her expertise in accounting coupled with Human Resource Management and a CPA ensure BkC's operational and financial policies and procedures are on the mark. 
PictureLorraine Merghart Ballard - Board Chair













Lorraine's involvement began with producing the first Battenkill Runs Through It Festival in 2011 and began contributing her independent consulting firm's event planning and fundraising services to "move BkC's mission forward". She currently serves as the Board Chair. 
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Prior to her work in the not for profit sector, she worked as a corporate investment banker focusing on international media & entertainment companies.  She holds an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in International Affairs from the Elliot School at George Washington University in Washington, DC.  
Lorraine's love of the Battenkill entails any and all activities related to the lands and waters of the Battenkill watershed.
PictureKimberly Neilson - Board Member
Originally from Queens, NY, Kimberly now calls East Greenwich her home, with a property that sits along the banks of the Battenkill.  A 25-year veteran of the Life Insurance industry, Kim currently works in Product Development for Prudential Life Insurance Company.  With a background in insurance, mathematics, and marketing, Kim brings an acute analytical mind and decades of product development and marketing experience to BkC, as well as a passionate desire to conserve the river which flows through her backyard. 
 
When not working, Kim enjoys pickleball and pampering her two cats, Leon and Bella. 
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Greg Edinger, Volunteer, Advisor for Ecology & Botany
PictureDan Albano - Advisory Board














Having spent thousands of hours studying belted kingfisher breeding biology along the Connecticut River while conducting his doctoral research at UMASS-Amherst, Dan feels a special affinity for riverine habitats. His bird watching presentations, summaries of our water quality testing and sharing his knowledge with the youth make him an invaluable board member. 

Dan has lived in Argyle for over 10 years and works as the director of environmental affairs for a utility scale wind energy developer.

By using his back ground in ecology and natural history, he has made numerous contributions to BkC's mission of clean water, open space for all and a healthy Battenkill watershed.
 PictureDeb Vincent-Evans - Board Member
Deb hails from the Troy area but came to us via our Discover Your Battenkill Program where she took on the challenge of supervising our middle school participants for 3 days of river skills, fun and floats. 
Her natural energy, activism and enthusiasm made her a natural to recruit for the BkC Board. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion fit perfectly with BkC's mission of "Clean Water and Open Space for All!" 
PictureJim Ballard - Stewardship Volunteer
A long time BkC member and supporter, Jim served as board member & helped facilitate events while providing a better focus on local issues including initiating "The Battenkill Runs Through It" River Festival.

An AIA registered NY State architect and LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accredited professional, his contributions to local planning, preservation and environmental issues are numerous.

As a life long trout fisherman and a naturalist, love of the Battenkill is in his genes as he strives to promote the river and the importance of cool, clear water. 
Battenkill Conservancy - Preserving & Enhancing the Battenkill Watershed