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Meet the Team

Staff

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Executive Director

Laura Hannan

Laura's background is in finance, working for 20 years in commercial, government and nonprofit lending.  She spent time growing up in Fair Hill and has a passion for nature and education.  She is a certified yoga teacher and loves spending time with her family and dogs.  Laura has her BBA in Finance from James Madison University. In 2026 she was recognized as by the Association of Nature Center Administrators as Outstanding New Leader of the Year.

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Director of Operations

Amy Sypher

Amy is a life-long Delawarean who earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Delaware in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. Amy says "Working at the Fair Hill Nature Center is a homecoming and dream job. Having the opportunity to teach and inspire all ages about the environment is like watching conservation happen in real-time.

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Community Outreach Director

Laura Metzler

Laura spent 15 years assisting Cecil County's business community as the manager of the award winning Business Information Center at the Cecil County Public Library.  She is an expert at developing community programming and is passionate about conservation.  She loves to garden, read, travel and spend time with friends and family.  Laura has her BA from Purdue and Masters from Indiana University in Library and Information Sciences.

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Lead Educator

Jennifer Altvater

As a certified elementary and special education teacher, Jenn brings over 16 years of teaching experience to her work. In her role as an environmental educator, she has masterfully combined her enthusiasm for teaching and connecting with students with her deep love of the outdoors. Jenn is passionate about making learning joyful by fostering students’ natural curiosity about the world around them.

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Board of Directors

Interested in serving on the board? 

Please click HERE to apply!

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Dan Schneckenburger, President

Director of Administration, Cecil County Government

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Bob Palsgrove, Treasurer

Vice President, WSFS Bank (retired)

 

Anne Gellrich, Secretary

Executive Director, Cecil County Public Schools (retired)

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Kennard Wiggins

Brig. Gen. DE Air National Guard (retired)
Author​​

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Maureen Sentman, Esq.​

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Sean McCandless

Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist, MD Dept of Agriculture at Cecil Soil Conservation District

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Nicole Walker

Lead Science Teacher, Elkton High, Cecil County Public Schools

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Krista Gilmore

Volunteer Program Administrator, Cecil County Department of Community Services

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Tom Pahutski

R&D Project and Innovation Manager, FMC, Stine Research Center

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Polly Binns

Executive Director, Fair Hill Foundation

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Erin Wright

Chief Operations Officer, Voices of Hope-Maryland

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David Gordon

Owner, Chesapeake Home Improvement Group

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Donna Davies

Business Banking Relationship Manager, Vice President at M&T Bank

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