Haywood Waterways Association

 

Eric Romaniszyn, Executive Director. Eric Romaniszyn has over 15 years experience working as an aquatic ecologist. His expertise is with benthic macroinvertebrates but has also worked extensively with freshwater fish and wetlands. He received a BS degree in Biology (Kent State University, 1994) and a MS in Entomology (University of Georgia, 2000). He has worked for the past seven years with Haywood Waterways first as Project Manager and now as Executive Director. Along with organizational and fiscal management, his primary responsibility is to implement the Pigeon River Watershed Action Plan through education and outreach, coordinating with project partners, acquiring grants, and water quality monitoring. In his spare time, Eric enjoys fly fishing, paddling, and, believe it or not, car repair and home improvement projects.

 

Christine O’Brien, Project Assistant. Christine O’Brien has been working as a stream ecologist for over 18 years. Christine earned her BS in Natural Resource Conservation, a MS in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and a Certificate in Wetland Ecology from the University of Florida. Over the years her main focus has been on freshwater mussels and snails, but she has also worked with fish, land snails and slugs. Christine was first hired by HWA as a Sediment Technician in 2006. Today Christine continues her duties as a Sediment Technician, but also manages the books, coordinates Phase II activities and assists the Director as needed. When she has time, she enjoys kayaking, camping and hiking.

 

Jane Falkenstein, Outreach Specialist. Jane has been an environmental educator and natural resource interpreter for almost twenty years.  Educated in Iowa, she has a BS in Science Journalism and concentrated on outdoor education and leisure experiences for women and children in her graduate studies.  She has extensive experience with many environmental education curriculums and has facilitated and trained many other teachers.  She is a believer in the power of getting people outside to connect them to the natural world.  Jane has also worked in nonprofit development and is an accomplished grant writer.  She loves to be outside as much as possible and has found peace and fulfillment in nature all her life.  Jane has been with HWA since February 2011.