Scenic Rivers Welcomes Two New Board Members

John Elstner and Amelia Matthews join the board; Out-going vice president Edmée Geis concludes eight-year term

The Scenic Rivers Board of Directors voted to elect John Elstner and Amelia Matthews at the June 2024 Board Meeting.

At the same meeting, the Board thanked long-time member and out-going vice president Edmée Geis for her commitment, creative energy, generosity, and years of service to Scenic Rivers. Geis concluded her full eight-year board term at the June 2024 meeting and is stepping away in accordance with Scenic Rivers’ board term-limit policy.

John Elstner, MBA, is an entrepreneurial leader and small business value advisor who has contributed strategic and operational leadership to many growth-oriented businesses and non-profit organizations including Chesapeake Regional Tech Council, Chesapeake Innovation Center, Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, and the National Association of Environmental Professionals. A trained hydrogeologist, John has fifteen years of experience in the environmental consulting industry developing environmental compliance and site remediation solutions for government and corporate clients. A Pittsburgh native, John migrated to the Chesapeake Bay in 1988 as a young environmental scientist and is grateful for the opportunity to have lived in nine different waterfront properties on both sides of the Mid-Chesapeake estuary.

Amelia Matthews is a Transactions Specialist with The Conservation Fund. She joined The Conservation Fund in 2007 and assists in acquiring lands across the United States for open space, farmland protection, working forests, wildlife protection, recreation areas, and cultural conservation. Amelia graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Amelia is a member of the Maryland Bar, a sustainer with the Junior League of Annapolis, and a Board Member of the Greater Annapolis Ballet. She lives in Annapolis with her husband Steven and their 4-year-old daughter Hendley Rose.

Welcome, John and Amelia!

Scenic Rivers board members include Joan Renner, Board President; Elizabeth Rosborg, Vice President; John Butler, Treasurer; Kirk Mantay, Secretary; Joe Ports, At Large Member of the Executive Committee; Phil Dales; Kristen Maneval; Liam O’Meara; Lily Openshaw, Sara Ramotnik, and Paul Zanecki.