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Staff

Executive Director of the Rivanna River Basin Commission implements day-to-day operations of the Commission and its projects as well as staff support to the Commission and its Committees.

The Executive Director of the Rivanna River Basin Commission is Leslie Middleton (email).

Leslie Middleton was hired by the Commission as transitional staff in January 2009 and as the Commission’s first Executive Director in April 2009. Leslie grew up in Massachusetts and spent a decade working at sea in commercial fisheries and oil production maritime support before returning to the University of Rhode Island to obtain a BS in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering in 1983. Leslie became a research engineer for the US Navy, developing systems specifically for the emerging field of remotely-operated vehicles (Port Hueneme, CA); facilitating the development and deployment of fiber optic cable systems (Arlington, VA); and developing shipboard solid and plastic waste handling and processing equipment for deployment on Navy ships (Annapolis, MD). Upon moving inland to the Rivanna watershed, Leslie founded the Rivanna Watershed Center, a community-based non-profit promoting watershed conservation and collaborative watershed education and protection. Prior to coming to the Rivanna River Basin Commission, Leslie was the Virginia Director of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in Richmond, coordinating multiple programs in Virginia. As the Commission's first Executive Director, Leslie is responsible for the strategic development of the organization and building partnerships within the basin, the Commonwealth, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In her spare time, Leslie can be found (outside) volunteering for Rivanna Master Naturalists and StreamWatch, sailing with her husband on the Bay and its tidal tributaries, or (inside) writing about these experiences.

Project Coordinator of the Rivanna River Basin Commission develops and maintains the Commission's administrative processes, manages volunteers and interns, and provides assistance with the Commission's grant programs.

The Project Coordinator of the Rivanna River Basin Commission is Nicola McGoff (email).

Nicola McGoff began working with the RRBC as Program Coordinator in July 2010.  She came to this position with a wealth of wetland and riparian research experience.  She graduated from University of Virginia with her Masters in Environmental Sciences in 2004 having studied the role of herbivory and nutrient dynamics in salt marsh ecosystems on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.  Since graduating she has gained experience in academic research covering a broad array of topics including phosphorous and sediment processes in southern US rivers, and soil carbon stocks and changes due to climate change in Ireland.  Most recently she has been working for The Nature Conservancy in Virginia as a stream restoration assistant for the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.  

 

Other staff to the Commission
The Commission is served from time-to-time by consulting professionals and student interns.

© Copyright 2009 Rivanna River Basin Commission