BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOE CHILDERS

Joe Childers, Chair of the Board of Directors for KRC, graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law and has over 30 years of legal experience with specialties in environmental, mineral, and civil rights litigation. He has been successful in winning some of Kentucky's most notable cases, including unmined mineral taxation, the notorious "broad form" mineral deed, and surface owner's rights against natural gas companies. He currently lives in Lexington with his wife and two children.

BETSY BENNETT

Betsy has practiced environmental law in Kentucky since 1994. Betsy brings her extensive experience to the KRC Board. She serves as the conservation chair for the Kentucky Chapter of the Sierra Club and is a board member on the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence. Betsy has also served on the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission, the Olmsted Conservancy, and RiverFields. Betsy is a proud mother of two and a grandmother of six.

ALISON BROTZGE-ELDER

Born in Louisville, Alison Brotzge-Elder is happy to found herself back in her hometown and on the Board of KRC. She currently is a Social Media Lead at Humana and has extensive experience in both public relations and journalism. She spent six yeas as a producer for The Weather Channel where she witnessed first-hand the power of Mother Nature on countless occassions. Alison is a graduate of Boston University. She and her husband are avid gardeners. They have won multiple Kentucky State Fair ribbons for their produce. They live in Louisville their two children, dog and cat.

"I am passionate about protecting and enhancing the environment of my home state. After spending years covering climate change for The Weather Channel, I returned to Kentucky and decided to get involved in broader work to bring economic justice to my fellow Kentuckians. For too long, the people of our Commonwealth have born the brunt of environmental and economic exploitation. KRC is on the frontline, fighting for the people directly impacted by that exploitation and standing up to protect our natural resources. I am proud to be a part of the Board and get involved in their work."

SARAH LYNN CUNNINGHAM

Sarah Lynn has been an environmental activist for a half-century. (She's older than she looks and got started young!) Sarah Lynn Cunningham is a professional environmental engineer and environmental educator who graduated from the University of Louisville with degrees in environmental engineering, environmental history, and environmental education. She has worked with the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Jefferson County Board of Health, and Kentucky Division of Water. She is the co-founder of the Louisvillle Climate Action Network in 2007, where she seves as its Executive Director. Sarah Lynn is also a Board member of the Kentucky Conservation Committee.

ROY CRAWFORD

Roy Crawford grew up and lives in Whitesburg where he spent much of his youth hiking, camping, caving, and climbing on nearby Pine Mountain. He has served on the boards of the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, the Pine Mountain Settlement School, the Pine Mountain Trail Conference, and Headwaters, Incorporated, among others. With a degree from Georgia Tech, he spent his last few working decades before retirement practicing forensic engineering. In normal times he is in five music groups and his additional interests include reading, swimming, cycling, kayaking, and traveling. His personal crusade is coal truck safety.

"I believe everyone should live in health, safety, and a clean environment. Without those it’s impossible to enjoy anything else."

ABBEY TUDOR FLETCHER

Raised on her family farm in Madison County, Abigail Tudor Fletcher is a proud Kentucky native and intimately aware of the need to protect and preserve the environment. Abigail graduated from Centre College in 2016 with a sociology & anthropology major and studio art minor. At Centre, Abigail was a Bonner Scholar and developed a deep passion for social justice and community service. After graduating from Centre, Abigail went to the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. Currently, Abigail is an associate attorney at Sitlinger Law in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to Kentucky Resources Council, Abigail also serves on the Board of Directors for the New Leaders Council – Kentucky Chapter.

"Environmentalism is intersectional. I was drawn to join the KRC Board because I deeply resonated with the organization’s belief that environmental and energy decisions and policies should be informed by humility, justice, and prudence."

ARNITA GADSON

Arnita is a steward for those with environmental concerns. Formerly serving as the Executive Direcor of the Environmental Quality Commission in Louisville, she has managed Louisville's air pollution by securing funding that established a state-of-the-art laboratory at the University of Louisville to measure air toxins. Her achievement prevented human suffering and contributed to the Louisville economy by protecting the health of each citizen. Arnita is currently the Executive Director of the West Jefferson Community Task Force.

Arnita serves on the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute Sub-Committee.

JIM HAYS

London-native, Jim is an alumni of Sue Bennett College and Cumberland College, with a degree in aquatic biology. Jim has an extensive career in environmental biology research. Now Jim is the Horse Lick Creek Bioreserve Director. Jim continues to be dedicated to serving the Commonwealth and appreciates the importance of environmental stewardship.

DR. LAUREN HEBERLE

Dr. Lauren C. Heberle is the Director of the Center for Environmental Policy and Management and Associate Professor of Sociology. Dr. Heberle is also the lead investigator for the Community Engagement Core of the University of Louisville Superfund Research Center. She teaches environmental and social policy courses and urban sociology. Her expertise is in community participation in environmental decision making. Her areas of research include urban redevelopment, environmental policy, environmental justice, community engagement, and sustainable development. Dr. Heberle has a PhD in Sociology from Rutgers University and a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She grew up in Richmond and Louisville, Kentucky.

"I want to learn more about state-wide environmental issues and offer up my expertise in community engagement in environmental decision making."

TIM HEINE

After graduating from medical school at the University of Louisville, Tim completed a residency in Anesthesiology at Duke University. Eventually returning home, Tim has continued the full-time practice of anesthesiology in both private practice and an academic setting. Developing a deeper understanding of biological and cultural anthropology [as well as the science of regional and global climate change] over decades of reading and listening to others, Tim returned to the classroom several years ago to add more structure to his educational journey. In 2019, he received an MA-Anthropology from the University of Louisville. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the ACLU-KY, Tim resides in Louisville with his wife, Caroline. They have two children, Sarah and Kiernan – he needs them to know that his generation must engage in the great environmental justice challenges that lie ahead.

"When asked about why he wanted to join the KRC Board, Tim shared a quote from Amanda Gorman: 'We relish the view; We witness its round green and brilliant blue, Which inspires us to ask deeply, wholly: What can we do?'"

JEANNE MARIE HIBBERD

Jeanne Marie is Director of Corporate & Community Support for WEKU public radio. She has worked in nonprofit management, fundraising and communications for more than 35 years. She's has served as a fundraising coach for Leaping Minnow Consulting and Network for Good. Her career includes 10 years as Development & Communications Director at Hindman Settlement School, as well as positions with Berea College, the Mountain Association and Eastern Kentucky University. She has a BA in Philosophy from Berea College and earned a Certificate in Fundraising Management from The Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

She is certified by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional. Jeanne Marie has also served on numerous nonprofit boards including the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, Kentucky Environmental Foundation and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.

ADAM JOHNSON

Originally from Ashland, Kentucky, Adam studied at Centre College and graduated in 2017. Before attending the University of Louisville Brandies School of Law. Adam has worked for the LRC and KCARD during his time as a student. Currently, Adam is a litigation associate at Jenkins Fenstermaker in Huntington, West Virginina, and is excited to be able to contribute to the continued success of KRC's mission.

"I joined the board to have the ability to help a non-profit, which focuses on the environment, succeed. KRC has great and inspiring staff, and I want to help them succeed."

JANE RICHARDS

Jane is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she studied journalism and political science. She has held progressive roles in both the public and private sectors across the country, from previously serving as a Public Information Officer for the City of San Diego to now serving as an Account Strategy Lead at Humana. Jane also serves on the Board of Directors for the Louisville Parks Foundation, the Louisville Northeast YMCA, and is the Treasurer of the Board for the University of Cincinnati's Friends of Communication Alumni Organization.

"I feel a deep obligation, as a steward for the environment, to not only build bridges between communities, corporations and governments to collectively protect natural resources, but to also hold polluters accountable for the role they play in the climate crisis facing current and future generations."

HANNAH WEINSTEIN

Hannah Weinstein is a market researcher and aspiring environmental educator. After graduating from Centre College in 2018, Hannah started her career in the financial sector. Now, Hannah is corporate strategy analyst at Humana. She hopes to apply her experience and knowledge with KRC.

"I wanted to join KRC so that I would have the outlet to inspire generations to come to deeply care and protect the environment, just as those who have came before have done for me."

BOARD EMERITUS

Roger Shott

After growing up in Washington D.C., Roger Shott attended the University of Virginia Medical School and graduated in 1964. He completed his residency in pediatrics and neonatology, then continued on to serve in the US Military Medical Corp where cared for dependent children of Vietnam soldiers from 1967-1969. While continuing his practice of neontaology, Roger became a professor of nurseries as the University of Louisville Hospitals and Director of pediatric education for University of Louisville medical students for 20 years. After retiring, Roger became a board member of KRC and the Nature Conservancy. He currently lives in Louisville with his wife and has two sons, Brian and Eric.

JOINING THE BOARD

If you are interested in learning more about the KRC Board of Directors or one of its sub-committes, please contact amy@kyrc.org.

New Board Members

Are you a new KRC Board Member? Complete the brief bio form so that we can introduce you in KRC publications!

The Kentucky Resources Council is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the conservation and prudent use of Kentucky’s natural resources. Since 1984, we have dedicated ourselves to protecting Kentucky’s land, air, water, and communities.