Our Staff
Judy Rodd
Judy Rodd is our Executive Director, and has run Friends of Blackwater since 2000. She has an M.S. in Recreation and Parks from West Virginia University, and has been working as an environmental educator and advocate since 1985. In addition to serving as our director, she handles much of the grants and fundraising.
Executive Director
Frank Gebhard
Frank Gebhard was raised in Bel Air, Maryland and graduated with a B.S. in biology from James Madison University. His main areas of study are amphibians and ecology. He coordinates our watershed projects, performs outreach, writes our newsletters & emails, manages the office, designs our website, and films educational videos.
Project Coordinator & Drone Pilot
Atlee Wise
Atlee Wise, a current Wildlife and Fisheries student at Frostburg State University and a Garrett College Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology (NRWT) graduate. He runs our Ecological Restoration project along the Blackwater Rail Trail.
Botanist
John Brown
John Brown is Friends of Blackwater’s technical consultant. He has run his own computer business and has worked with non-profits across West Virginia. When not helping Friends of Blackwater, he teaches middle school science.
Technical Consultant
Aaron is an avid birder and naturalist, spending most of his free time out in the wilderness searching down different plants and animals. He is currently working on his bachelor's degree in professional wildlife and fisheries at Frostburg State University. He performs bird & butterfly surveys, leads ecotours, and shoots photography for us.
Naturalist & Photographer
Aaron Graham
Shannon Hoskins
Shannon is an avid hiker, skier, backpacker, and slack liner from New Martinsville, WV. She organizes our files and assists with events. She also logs our donations and purchase orders.