Board of Directors

PHOTO: WEISER 2022 (Board and Staff at “Tidal Alert” film screening – From Left to Right – Kelly Burkey, Riley Lewis, Lisa Rider, Lee Ferguson, Rick Kearney, Ryan Bethea, Katie Tomberlin, Suzanne Wheatcraft)

Officers


Jan Farmer, President (Surf City, NC) – Topsail OFE Coordinator, Advocacy Team, Grants Task Force, Events Planner

Jan is a native North Carolinian, growing up on the shore of Lake Norman, and has lived in the Topsail Island area for more than a decade, A graduate of UNC-Wilmington, she has been interested in environmental policy and planning, with a special interest in waste management and clean water, especially along the coast.
Jan has been a member of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and has served on the board of directors since 2020. In addition to CCRW, she volunteers with several other organizations along the coast to work collaboratively to protect our coastal environment, advocate for clean water and healthy habitats & encourage
 others to become involved.
Jan “believes in stewardship of our environment, not ownership of it.” 
In her spare time, she enjoys paddling all the things, gardening, beekeeping, spending time with her husband, family & pets and traveling.

The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery, not over nature, but over ourselves.” – Rachel Carson


Tancred Miller, Vice President (Morehead City, NC) – CAMA Policy & Planning Manager, NC Division of Coastal Management, Event Planner


Susan Land, Treasurer (Morehead City, NC)- North Carolina Justice Center, Deputy Director


Joel Dunn, Secretary (Emerald Isle, NC) – Retired University Administrator/Computer Scientist, IT and Renewable Energy Advisor

I was born and raised in eastern NC, spending much time on the family farm in Pitt County. I left Pitt County to go to school in Chapel Hill, and stayed in the Triangle for my working career. I live in Emerald Isle after retiring from the UNC system where I worked managing large technology teams and teaching Systems Analysis at UNC-CH. In addition to being board secretary and technology advisor for Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, I’m chair of the Sierra Club Croatan Group and an outings leader for the Sierra Club. I’ve been an outdoorsman and conservationist since tagging along with my dad hunting, fishing, scouting, and just walking in the woods. I was a scout and scout leader. I’ve hiked and backpacked in diverse areas such as the Appalachian Trail, the Grand Canyon, and the Alps. I was a white water paddler, a rock climber, and a fly fisherman. I volunteer with the Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and other organizations because I want the planet my grandkids and others inherit to afford them the opportunity to experience the outdoors as I have. I’m passionate and knowledgeable about renewable energy and EVs. From my career I bring skills in virtual collaboration, management of distributed projects, and a deep understanding of technology.


Members at Large

Ryan Bethea (New Bern, NC) – Oysters Carolina Owner, Shellfish and Aquaculture Advisor

Rachel Carter (Sneads Ferry, NC), Financial Planner, 401K Insurance Expert, Professional Photographer

Lee Ferguson (Durham, NC) – Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Research Advisor, PFAS Advisor

Sterling Gillikin (Newport, NC) – CCRW Volunteer

Sammy Johnson (Richlands, NC), Financial Planner

Rick Kearney (Otway/Raleigh, NC) – Retired Professor, NC State, Human Resources Advisor, Board Lead for Water Quality for Fisheries Program

Tom Mattison (Jacksonville, NC) – Riverkeeper Emeritus, Wastewater Advisor

Katie Tomberlin (Newport, NC)- Advocacy Team, Policy and Lobby Advisor

Suzanne Wheatcraft (Pine Knoll Shores, NC) – Retired Hydrogeologist, Former Board President, Grant Task Force, and Advocacy Team.