LCWA Officers
Kate Austin | President
3-year term | December 31, 2025
Kate joined the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance in 2013. She served as Vice President from 2014-2016, and as President from 2016-present. Kate works for the City of Lancaster Stormwater Bureau as Green Infrastructure Asset Coordinator. Kate is passionate about cultivating multi-functional, beautiful, native landscapes to manage stormwater, provide habitat, and promote greening. Kate lives in Lancaster City.
Dwayne Steager | Vice President
3-year term | December 31, 2024
Dwayne was appointed to the LCWA Board and as Vice President in 2019, he has been involved with the LCWA since 2018. He has been a resident in the southern part of the Little Conestoga watershed along Indian Run Tributary for over forty years. He serves West Hempfield Township as the Director of Land Use, Zoning Officer and Storm Water Officer.
Mark Huber | Secretary
3-year term | December 31, 2025
Mark lives in Manor Township in the lower part of the watershed. He has been involved with the LCWA since 2008 and was appointed to the board in 2013. He got involved with the LCWA because he thought the best way to improve water quality, wildlife habitat and tree cover in Lancaster County was by getting involved with the local watershed group where he lives. He is employed at the Lancaster County Planning Department as a Senior Planner.
Ruth Beck | Treasurer
3-year term | December 31, 2024
Ruth began to learn about native plants and riparian buffers when she moved to Lancaster in 2019. Concerned about the health of the river in her backyard, Ruth has spearheaded a riparian buffer project involving neighbors and businesses in her community. She continues work on moving her garden from mostly invasive plants to native ones. Ruth teaches intercultural management online with a German university.
Jose Diaz | Director
3-year term | December 31, 2024
Jose has been on the LCWA board since 2008. He is retired from Green Leaf Plants where he worked as a plant grower. Since his retirement he has dedicated himself to vegetable and native plant gardening. As a horticulturist, Jose understands that the well-being of our community and natural environment depends on how well we maintain the quality of the water that we use. Only with the protection of the soil, vegetation and wildlife from erosion and contamination, will we be able to accomplish this goal, so he is currently dedicating part of his life to this endeavor.
Phil Mellott | Director
3-year term | December 31, 2026
Phil was appointed to the board in 2016. He serves as the Director of Public Works for Manheim Township.
Jeff Moseman | Director
3-year term | December 31, 2026
Jeff has been involved with the watershed since 2018. He serves the Borough of East Petersburg as the Storm Water Supervisor and assists with the Water Department operations. He is a 20 year resident of East Petersburg with interests in improving source water quality and fisheries habitat.
Friends of LCWA
Matt Kofroth | Friend of LCWA
Matt has served as the Watershed Specialist at the Lancaster County Conservation District for over 20 years, and has guided and advised the LCWA since its founding in 2000. Matt helps us stay organized and focused, keeps us in the loop about grants and funding and provides excellent technical guidance. We are thankful to have had him as our adviser and friend through the years!
Bill Ebel | Friend of LCWA
Bill is a founding member and former long-term board member of the LCWA and is still an active and valuable part of the LCWA today. Bill has always been an active community member for environmental and land use issues and serves on numerous boards, including the Hourglass Foundation and the Lancaster County Coalition for Smart Growth.
Kelly Gutshall | Friend of LCWA
Kelly is President of LandStudies and is a recognized leader in the field of ecological and sustainable design. Kelly has led many of LandStudies key consulting initiatives for the LCWA, including the new Watershed Action Plan and the design of the East Petersburg Demonstration site. However, we especially grateful for her attendance at our meetings and the constant support and guidance she has provided to us.
Mike Kyle | Friend of LCWA
Mike is a former Board Member of the LCWA, having previously served as Treasurer and Secretary. He has been the Executive Director of the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority for 19 years, and has been in the clean water business for nearly 40 years. Clean water is not only his occupation but also his passion – he is one of the founding members of the LCWA, and has been active in various volunteer efforts, including County and multi-state Chesapeake Bay task forces, and is past-President of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association and the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association.