Melissa Almendinger

Executive Director

Melissa holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University and has over 10 years of experience in education, land stewardship, and project management.  Melissa was an original co-chair of the Strike Team and served on the initial Board of Directors of the Strike Team during its formation as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2011 before transitioning to the Director.  She also serves on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Pest Council.

Michael Hogan

Southern Region Coordinator

Michael is the Habitat Assessment & Volunteer Coordinator for South Jersey Land & Water Trust through which he is contracted to manage all stewardship and outreach activities in the southern region.  He has over 30 years of experience in field work, volunteer training and invasives species control. Michael has been with SJLWT since 2008 and has worked with municipal representatives, nonprofit, State, Federal and regional agencies and with private stakeholders on a variety of projects.  Michael serves on the Weymouth Township zoning board, shade tree and environmental commissions, and chairs the Atlantic County Parks and Environmental Advisory Board.

Jon Wagar

Chair, 2011-2012

Jon holds a BS in biology from Richard Stockton College, as well as a Master of Forestry Degree from Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental studies.  He is the Vice President for Conservation Programs for Conservation Resources Inc.  He has had extensive experience with land acquisition, stewardship and, restoration projects on behalf of several non-profit conservation organizations.  Jon is also the Director of Land Acquisition and Stewardship for Schiff Natural Lands Trust in Mendham.  Jon was previously the Director of Stewardship and Assistant Director of Land Acquisition and Stewardship for the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, served as Chair of the Mendham Township Open Space Trust Committee and was a Trustee of the Washington Township Land Trust.  He was also on the NJ Forest Stewardship Committee and the Pinelands Forestry Advisory Committee.

Susan Brookman

Treasurer, 2011-2012

Susan holds a B.A. in Education and an M.B.A., and is currently working with conservation organizations in New Jersey and Florida on policy and communications initiatives. She was the Executive Director of the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium and co-founder of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council. She has worked in a variety of positions with Girl Scout Councils in Missouri and Georgia and is a former member of the South Florida Water Management District's Water Resources Advisory Committee, the Lee County Local Planning Agency and the Boards of Directors of many community organizations including RiverWatch, Audubon of Southwest Florida and the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida.

David Donnelly

Board Member 2011-2012

David has a BS in Natural Resource Management from Cook College.  Presently he is the Superintendent at Cheesequake State Park where he oversees the general operation of the park including administration, maintenance, and interpretation.  He has 12 years experience in the State Park System and was previoulsy stationed at Washingtons Crossing and Wharton Forest.  Prior to the State Parks, he worked for six years as an administrator of the Pesticide Control Program's - Aquatic Permit Unit.  He is the prior owner of a landscape / information business "Environmental Reconstruction Network" that specialized in creating habitats that were beneficial to wildlife.

Richard Pirrello

Board Member 2012

Richard holds a M.Ed. in Management from Cambridge College and Graduate Certification in Credit/Financial management from Williams College. He was the former President/CEO of Fujipoly America in Kenilworth, NJ where he directed the International sales and marketing effort. He has 30 years management experience with focus on strategic planning. He is a member of the Raritan Headwater Association as well as a life member of several Veterans organizations.