Amy Mathews Amos
Amy Mathews Amos has spent her career at the interface of environmental science, policy, and science communication. She earned her B.S. in natural resource management from Cornell University, and her graduate degrees in environmental science and public policy from Indiana University. She has worked for Congress at the U.S. Government Accountability Office evaluating government environmental programs, for nonprofit conservation groups advocating for strong federal policies, and as a consultant to conservation groups and charitable foundations. She fell in love with West Virginia during a visit to Canaan Valley after the 1993 east coast blizzard and first moved here with her husband in 2003. While serving as Board Member and President of Shepherdstown’s American Conservation Film Festival, she recognized the power of storytelling to bring about change. And so, in 2010 she returned to school part-time to earn her M.A. in science writing at Johns Hopkins University. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Scientific American, High Country News, Wonderful West Virginia, and many other outlets.
Stephen Annand
Secretary
Steve Annand is a litigation attorney with over 45 years of experience in a variety of legal fields, including business disputes, tort litigation and environmental law. He is a graduate of West Virginia University, has a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law and a Masters of Law in Environmental Law from the George Washington University National Law Center. Steve’s environmental law practice has ranged from representing citizens’ groups and individuals in pursuing environmental claims, to representation of small and large businesses in addressing environmental concerns. He is an avid outdoorsman, including a hiker, cross-country skier, mountain climber, and sailor. He has an abiding interest in preserving and enhancing the environment, and in responding to issues associated with climate change in order to preserve our planet for ourselves and for our posterity. Steve is committed to promoting positive environmental goals and solutions, both professionally and personally.
Neal Barkus
President
Neal is a native West Virginian, having grown up in Charleston. He holds a B.A from University of Virginia and a J.D. from Washington & Lee School of Law. He has served in leadership positions in many nonprofits, including the United Way of the National Capitol Area, Friends of Music and Shenandoah Horse Park, Inc. He writes a blog called Panhandle Progressive on political and environmental issues. Neal and his wife Alice live on a small farm outside of Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Ed Bowes
Ed Bowes is a Charleston WV native, WVU graduate, and retired engineer, with over 35 years of service in the electric utility industry. His experience includes a wide range of management and senior technical positions in the areas of renewable energy, environmental projects engineering and construction, and power station operations and management. Ed also served as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Virginia, teaching preparatory classes for the Professional Engineering Examination. In his retired life he enjoys performing and composing music, travel and many outdoor activities He maintains an active interest in renewable energy and the evolving power industry.
Eli Hall
Eli is an undergraduate student at Shepherd University studying Political Science, Environmental Studies and Global Studies. Having grown up in the Kanawha Valley, he has a keen interest in ensuring a future for West Virginia that couples economic prosperity with protection of our state’s beautiful natural environment. Eli currently resides in Shepherdstown but has plans to attend a graduate school where he can foster the necessary skills to implement sensible, environmental policy in West Virginia that ensures everyone has a seat at the table.
Bill Howard
Treasurer
Bill Howard is the executive director of The Downstream Project, a conservation communications nonprofit, where he supervises a production team of six creative and technical professionals and serves as the principal liaison with project partners. With more than 30 years of experience in web and multimedia development, Bill specializes in using storytelling and strategy to advance conservation outcomes. A longtime resident of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Bill has lived there with his wife, Libby, since 1981. He is an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman and is deeply engaged in civic and nonprofit leadership. Bill currently serves on the board of Waterkeepers Chesapeake as secretary and on the board of the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown as Environmental Service Chair. He is a charter member and past president of the Rotary Club and a founding board member of Chesapeake Commons, where he previously served as board chair. Bill is a graduate of Saint Albans School in Washington, D.C., and studied developmental biology and pre-med at Tulane University.
David Lillard
David Lillard lives near Shepherdstown, W.Va. He supports nonprofit conservation organizations through alliance building and communications strategies. He serves on the board of directors of the Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle and the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation, and is a cofounder of the American Conservation Film Festival and the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, where served as executive director in the early 2000s. David developed a passion for conservation as a teenager through frequent backpacking trips in the Appalachian Mountains, and remains an avid hiker and paddler. He spends as much time as possible enjoying West Virginia’s rivers and public lands. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College in Boston.
Charles F. “Chazz” Printz, Jr.
Chazz Printz is a partner with Bowles Rice LLP, where he practices business litigation and employment law. He was born and raised in the Eastern Panhandle and first interacted with nature as a Boy Scout. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and earned a law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law. He served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the National Conservation Training Center and is currently active on the Boards of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle and the Shenandoah Community Health Center. He and his wife live on a conservation-protected farm near Shepherdstown, but often escape to their cabin on Backbone Mountain in Tucker County, from which they also enjoy the outdoors.
Kasey Russell
Kasey Russell brings experience in environmental and conservation policy in West Virginia, with a background spanning advocacy, legislative engagement, and civic leadership. She previously worked with the West Virginia Environmental Council and remains deeply committed to advancing conservation outcomes through effective public policy and political engagement. Kasey currently works with WV Strong, where she focuses on strengthening leadership and recruiting reasonable, mainstream people to run for office. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her three Labrador retrievers, hiking, kayaking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
