Steering Committee
Michele Burns
Tecumseh Land Trust Ex. Dir.
Michele joined the TLT staff in August 2008 and took over as Executive Director in 2021. She managed special fundraising events, educational outreach, and much of the land preservation projects in her capacity as associate director. She is looking forward to leading the organization. Michele earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in natural resource management from the University of Kentucky and Colorado State University, respectively. She and her husband, John, returned to Yellow Springs after buying John’s family farm. They have a 24 acre fruit, vegetable, and livestock operation and make maple syrup. They live on the farm with their three children.
Andy Dickerson
Cardinal Land Conservancy Ex. Dir.
info@cardinallandconservancy.org
Andy has a long history of conservation work that includes being the Director of Science for the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and a founding member of the Valley View Foundation. He has worked with farmers to capitalize on the conservation benefits of the farm bill, is a prescribed fire burn boss as well as a bird and prairie enthusiast. As a trained facilitator and conservation business planner, Andy hopes to win friends and influence partners as he works to protect land at home in SW Ohio.
Rob Krain
Black Swamp Conservancy, Ex. Dir.
Rob joined the Conservancy in 2007, serving first as its conservation director before becoming executive director in 2013. He holds a degree in environmental policy and analysis from Bowling Green State University and an executive certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University. Rob lives in Toledo, and in his spare time enjoys kayaking, camping and American roots music.
Ellie Ewing
Captina Conservancy, Ex. Dir.
Ellie has served as Executive Director of Captina Conservancy since October 2019. Before coming to the Conservancy, she worked for seven years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Ellie grew up on a small dairy farm in northeast Ohio, and has since lived in Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and parts between. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and hanging out with her greyhound, Henry.
