Leadership

Board of Directors

Chairman
John Guttmann
Shareholder
Beveridge & Diamond, PC
Washington, DC

Vice Chairman
Francis Grant-Suttie
Global Conservation Senior Executive
Potomac, MD

Treasurer
Bert Swain
Dembo Jones, P.C.
Rockville, MD

Secretary
Anthony Stacy
Booz Allen Hamilton
Alexandria, VA

Gay Barclay
Potomac, MD

Paul Bremer
Professional Ski Instructor
Okemo Ski Resort
Chevy Chase, MD

Steve Chaudet
Arimo Associates, Inc.
Arlington, VA

Sherif Ettefa
Partner
KPMG
Chevy Chase, MD

Mary Ann Fisher
Bethesda, MD

Sandy Grace
Vice President, US Regulatory Strategy and Policy
National Grid
Bethesda, MD

Marc Grossman
Vice Chairman
The Cohen Group
Arlington, VA

Paul Juola
Vice President, Legislative Affairs
Lockheed Martin
Alexandria, VA

Paul B. Krogh
CEO/Principal
K2 Construction Consultants, Inc.
Bethesda, MD

Robert Mertz
Bethesda, MD

Michael Mitchell
Mike Mitchell Photography
Potomac, MD

Ed Ryan
Global General Counsel (Ret.)
Marriott International, Inc.
Washington, DC

Cory Van Horn
Chief Solutions Officer
High Five Tourism Solutions
Rockville, MD

Jonathan Warner
Owner
Warner Commercial
Dickerson, MD

Lauren Riviello
President & CEO, C&O Canal Trust
Williamsport, MD

Staff

LAUREN RIVIELLO

(she/her)
President & CEO

Lauren joined the Trust as the director of development in February 2021, from Boston, where she most recently served as Executive Director of the Brookline Arts Center, a visual arts center committed to bringing the community meaningful experiences in the arts. She has over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and became the Trust president and CEO in April 2023. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from The Institute for Nonprofit Practice at Tufts University. Lauren returned to West Virginia, where she grew up exploring the C&O Canal at Lock 38. She lives in a 120-year-old home in Charles Town, with her husband and daughter. Lauren enjoys learning about native plants and landscaping, and is deeply passionate about the arts, education, food, and nature.

Jane Neff

JANE NEFF

(she/her)
Office Administrator

Jane came to the Trust with more than 25 years of experience coordinating business processes in the manufacturing industry. She earned a degree in Information Technology from Hagerstown Community College where she graduated with top honors. Her skills span a wide array of business functions that include network administration, database administration, and accounting. In her free time she enjoys biking the canal and gardening at her home in Boonsboro.

Aidan Barnes

AIDAN BARNES

(they/them)
Director of Programs and Partnerships

Aidan has been the Director of Programs and Partnerships since March 2020, overseeing the implementation and function of programs, volunteer service projects, and events in the Park. Originally from Michigan, Aidan has a background in outdoor education and facilitating programs with youth, non-profit, and corporate groups. They also spent nearly two years teaching English in Taiwan. They have a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, good books, and campfires with friends. They live in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Becky McCarty

BECKY MCCARTY

(she/her)
Program Associate

Becky joined the Trust in May 2023. After graduating from Millersville University with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies, she began her career with the C&O Canal as an intern for the National Park Service. As an Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, she worked closely with both the NPS and C&O Canal Trust to support the Volunteers-In-Parks and Canal for All programs. She also collaborated with the NPS Office of International Affairs to welcome a volunteer from Chile for the Summer 2022 season. Community service comes naturally to Becky. She volunteers her time on the weekends to care for cats and kittens at her local animal shelter. When it’s time to rest and recharge, Becky likes to travel (8 countries and counting), read and collect postcards.

Alexia Tiches

(she/her)
Volunteer Coordinator

Alexia joined the Trust in January. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Environmental Studies from Kenyon College. While in college, she did volunteer work in a nature conservancy, participated in a student-led farm, and acted as an environmental blog intern. She started her career with the Forest Service at Mount Saint Helens in Washington and comes to the Trust with passion and enthusiasm for community service. She is a proud plant-mom, artist, baker, and roller-skater.

Arden Shaer 

(he/him)
Canal Quarters Manager

Arden joined the Trust in February 2024. He is a graduate of Hood College and has a degree in archaeology. After college, he worked as an archeologist in a cultural resource management firm before working with the National Park Service at Petersburg National Battlefield. While in Petersburg, Arden established two volunteer programs that managed archeological site monitoring and invasive species removal on Civil War earthworks. Arden loves anything to do with the outdoors and is especially fond of hiking. He strongly believes in the preservation of historic properties and their utilization as interpretive tools for education. In his free time, he enjoys working on carpentry projects, gardening, boxing, and reading.

Donald Street

DONALD STREET

(he/him)
Canal Quarters Operations Coordinator

Don became involved with the C&O Canal Trust as a volunteer quartermaster for the Canal Quarters program in 2016, and was hired as Canal Quarters Operations Coordinator in October 2021. He previously served as a volunteer with the C&O Canal Bike Patrol and the Maryland City (Anne Arundel County) Volunteer Fire Department. In his role as CQ Operations Coordinator, Don handles maintenance issues and visitor concerns for the seven historic lockhouses in the Canal Quarters program, coordinating with National Park Service Maintenance, volunteer Quartermasters, and other service providers. He also responds to after-hours problems reported via the emergency hotline and assists with other Trust programs. Don is an avid gardener, woodworker, tinkerer and outdoors enthusiast, and is very active with local sustainability efforts in his hometown of Poolesville, Maryland. He retired from the Federal government in 2017 after 27 years of military and civilian service.

Emma Horne

(she/her)
Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Intern

Hello, my name is Emma Horne and I recently started working with the C&O Canal Trust this August! I will be interning here for a year through the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps program. I graduated from Salisbury University this May with a B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. I am a lover of spending time with friends and family, animals, watching movies, traveling, hiking, and I feel happiest when I am in nature- which is what drew me to the Trust.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity through my work to inspire others to appreciate the Canal as much as I do, especially through the upcoming Canal For All programs.

Tymber Compher

TYMBER COMPHER

(she/her)
Marketing & Communications Manager

Tymber joined the Trust in April 2020. She is a freelance writer and editor with a specialization in nonprofit communications. A graduate of Antioch College, Tymber has a B.A. in Literature and the Human Condition. She has previously worked with Tecumseh Land Trust in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia where she created social media content and organized community events. In her spare time, Tymber enjoys hiking, reading, and playing with her cats, Theo and Franklin.

GRACE KEARNS

(she/her)
Marketing & Communications Associate

Grace joined the Trust in January of 2023. She is a recent graduate of Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and a minor in Graphic Design. While at Shepherd, she worked with the Student Success Center hosting events, crafting social media posts, and assisting students new to the center. In her free time she enjoys going for walks in the Park, special effect makeup, and staying up-to-date on recent media trends.

KALINA SWEIGERT

(she/her)
Development Associate

Kalina joined the Trust in February 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Hood College and a master’s degree in Communication Studies from Shippensburg University. Kalina brings eight years of experience in grant management, non-profit fundraising, event planning, and program administration. She loves to learn new things and is a strong proponent of lifelong learning. As an outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys walking, biking, and hiking at various parks in the tri-state area with her husband, Chris. Together they live on a farmette with their horses and cats.

Allison Harten

(she/her)
Development Associate

Allison joined the Trust in February 2024. She is a graduate from the University of Delaware and has a degree in Environmental Studies. Previously, Allison has worked for Delaware Nature Society and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed where she worked in education, communication, and community engagement. Growing up, Allison spent every summer camping in state and National Parks around the country. She is excited to now be working with individuals and communities to support and celebrate our National Parks. In her free time, Allison enjoys reading, kayaking, and volunteering in the community.

JUSTIN MAWDSLEY

(he/him)
Development Associate

Justin joined the development team in January of 2023. Currently living in Frederick, MD, he comes to us with over a decade of nonprofit management and fundraising experience. After graduating from Christopher Newport University with a B.S. in Biology, Justin spent many years working with Fairfax County Park Authority, Boy Scouts of America, and various other nonprofits in the D.C./Metro area. Justin is an avid life enthusiast, outdoorsman, and mountain biker interested in exploration, education, and community enrichment. You’ll likely find him in the garden or on his bike, coaching or riding when he’s not at work. He’s a big believer in community action and loves to dream big.