Hancock SWCD Staff & Board of Supervisors
 
                                          
                       
Hancock SWCD/ODNR/NRCS Staff-Suite E. & F.
Voice Mail Numbers Dial 419-422-5438 + ext.

Gary Tuttle-District Technician/Tillage Specialist (1979) ext. 126

Jean Ann Derr-Administrative Secretary (1985) ext. 122

Mary Williams-NRCS District Conservationist ext. 124

Leisha Billenstein-NRCS Soil Conservationist ext. 125

Meghan Clement-District Technician/Water Quality Coordinator ext. 146

Dominic Goshe-WLEB Conservationist ext. 127

Brandon Ewing-District Technician/Group & Urban Project Co-ordinator ext. 125

Frank Gibbs-NRCS Soil Scientist ext. 139

Paul Chester-NRCS Engineer ext. 138

 

Hancock SWCD Board of Supervisors
Dave Reese, Chairman- Dave joined the Board of Supervisors in 2006.  Dave and his wife Jan, own and operate Kaleidoscope Farms, a 24 acre choose and cut Christmas tree farm in Union Township.  Their 4 sons and 2 daughters-in-law are active participants in the farm operation.  Dave recently retired after 35 years of teaching vocational agri-buisness/entrepreneurship and coaching very successful soil judging and Envirothon teams at Liberty-Benton.  Dave has installed tile and waterways, planted windbreaks and 6 acres of CRP riparian buffers on his farm.  Dave has served the Hancock SWCD as at-large member of the Maumee Valley RC&D for several years and serves on the Findlay/Hancock County Chamber of Commerce agri-business and farmer's market committees.  Dave is also a director of the Ohio Christmas Tree Growers, a member of the National Christmas Tree Growers, and he and his wife are active members of the Rawson New Hope United Methodist Church.

Ron Cornwell, Vice Chairman - Ron joined the Board of Supervisors in 2006.  Ron farms 400 acres in Jackson Township along with his brother.  They practice no-till farming on all of their crops and implement many conservation practices on the farm.  Ron has been in the drainage business for over 40 years, a Farm Bureau trustee representing Jackson Township, Board of Directors for the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors of America, Board of Directors for Blanchard Valley Farmers Co-Op, serves on the zoning appeal board for Jackson Township and is an instructor in Laser Surveying at the Overholt Drainage School.  Ron is a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and the American Society of Agriculture Engineers.  Ron spent 4 years at Tiffin University earning a major in Accounting.

Richard Gassman, Fiscal Agent - Richard is currently the Fiscal Agent and has served on the Board since 1990.  Previously he has served as Chairman from 1999-2001.  Richard farms over 750 acres in Biglick and Washington Townships.  Richard is a Biglick Township Trustee and a member of the Farm Bureau. Richard and his wife Diana have farmed for over 35 years. They have three daughters and attend West Independence United Methodist Church.

Hodd Moorhead, Member - Hodd has four children, Thomas, Joseph, Merewyn, and Miranda. A lifelong resident of Hancock Co., and a fourth generation farmer, Hodd farms in Liberty and Blanchard Twps., along with his two brothers, Reed and Gregg, under Moorhead Farms Inc. Hodd and his brothers have participated in many conservation projects including; field tile, water ways, filter strips, conservation reserve, and the planting of 2,000 hardwood trees. Hodd believes that farming and conservation go hand in hand. We must be proactive in establishing sound environmental practices so that the farm ground and water remain viable for future generation in Hancock Co. Hodd has served on the following political and service organizations; the Liberty-Benton Board of Education (past president), The Liberty Township Board of Zoning Appeals (past chairman), The Liberty Township Tax Incentive Advisory Committee, The Liberty Township Tax Increment Financing Committee, The Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Services (A.D.A.M.H.S.), and the Hancock County Republican Central Committee.

Karen Oberst, Member - Karen is the first female supervisor in the District's 6o year history! Karen is a graduate of Murray State University in Western Kentucky with a degree in agriculture and biology. She has devoted her career and personal life to both. She worked in nature and living history education for the Hancock Park District where she also oversaw the 1847 Historic McKinnis Farm at Litzenberg Memorial Woods. She worked for the Environmental Protection Agency prior to starting a family and also for the University of Findlay as an instructor in Nature Interpretation and Zoology Lab.  Karen, her husband and two sons operate a 68 acre grass based farm where they are currently grazing beef cattle and dairy heifers. Karen and two partners also participate at the Findlay Farmers Market as a vendor and she has participated as a Market Committee Member. Karen belongs to Good Hope Lutheran Church.

 

Hancock SWCD Associate Supervisors
Earl Marshall
Jill Ensign-Heidlebaugh
Ken Bryan
Michelle Gilb
Jeff Horn
Jerry Wolford
Kevin Flanagan
Dwayne Bauman
Duane Fry
 
Hancock SWCD Program Volunteers
Without volunteers our district would not be successful!  Thank you to all those high school, college, and adult volunteers that help to make our programs a success each and every year.  If you are interested in helping out at the district please contact Jean Ann Derr @ 419-422-6569 for more information.  We are always looking for responsible, energetic volunteers who are eager to help with education programs, fair programs, office filing, pictures and more.