Staff
Holly Utrata-Halcomb - Executive Director
Holly Utrata-Halcomb provides administrative leadership for coordinating the District's programs, public relations, managing staff, annual budget and in representing the Board. She contributes to and edits the Conservation Spotlight newsletter, a quarterly newsletter for landowners and cooperators. Currently, Holly serves on the Hamilton County Storm Water District Technical Advisory Committee, Clean Ohio NRAC-Greenspace Committee, Ohio Storm Water Task Force and others. She organized the Regional Stormwater Collaborative and manages the Public Education media component of the County's NPDES PHASE II Clean Water Act Stormwater Program.
A native of the Cleveland area, Holly graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Special Education. Horticulture internships included Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia and Eggert-Pederson Planteskole in Nykobing, Denmark.
Holly is also a Registered Horticultural Therapist and has previously worked for The Holden Arboretum in Mentor, Ohio as Director of Horticultural Therapy. Since moving to Cincinnati in 1981, she has worked as a consultant with many state and local agencies designing horticulture curriculum to meet therapeutic needs.
Holly has worked for the District since 1990. She enjoys the diversity of the District's many projects and assisting the residents of Hamilton County in conserving our natural resources.
A native of the Cleveland area, Holly graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Special Education. Horticulture internships included Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia and Eggert-Pederson Planteskole in Nykobing, Denmark.
Holly is also a Registered Horticultural Therapist and has previously worked for The Holden Arboretum in Mentor, Ohio as Director of Horticultural Therapy. Since moving to Cincinnati in 1981, she has worked as a consultant with many state and local agencies designing horticulture curriculum to meet therapeutic needs.
Holly has worked for the District since 1990. She enjoys the diversity of the District's many projects and assisting the residents of Hamilton County in conserving our natural resources.
John Nelson, MPA, LEED Green Associate - Program Director
John started with the district as Public Relations Specialist in late 2012. In 2018, he was named the Program Director for the District. John assists with administration of the District and is responsible for communicating the district's message to the residents of Hamilton County. John manages the District’s website and social media. He also handles a majority of the District's event management.
John started his bachelors in India with a triple major in Communicative English, English Literature, and Psychology at Christ College, Bangalore. After moving to the United States, John transferred his degree and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Temple Baptist College. He has a Masters in Public Administration from Arkansas State University. John has previously worked as a Marketing Executive and a Computer Systems Manager. His last position was as an Event Coordinator for Answers in Genesis, Kentucky. He enjoys communicating the message of conservation to the residents of Hamilton County.
John started his bachelors in India with a triple major in Communicative English, English Literature, and Psychology at Christ College, Bangalore. After moving to the United States, John transferred his degree and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Temple Baptist College. He has a Masters in Public Administration from Arkansas State University. John has previously worked as a Marketing Executive and a Computer Systems Manager. His last position was as an Event Coordinator for Answers in Genesis, Kentucky. He enjoys communicating the message of conservation to the residents of Hamilton County.
Susan Juriga - Administrative Assistant
Susan came aboard in January, 2008 as our District Administrative Assistant. She is a recent graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 1988, she graduated from Cuyahoga Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Office Administration. Susan has many years of administrative assistant experience and looks forward to working in Soil and Water Conservation District. Her responsibilities include bookkeeping, payroll, filing, phones and meeting and greeting visitors.
Sue was a raised in the Cleveland area. Her family was transferred from Cleveland to Cincinnati in 1990. She enjoys time with her family, the parks, needle point and sudokus.
Sue was a raised in the Cleveland area. Her family was transferred from Cleveland to Cincinnati in 1990. She enjoys time with her family, the parks, needle point and sudokus.
Chey Alberto, CPESE - Urban Conservationist
Chey Alberto is responsible for helping in the administration of the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations which include site inspections to ensure that earthwork projects remain in compliance. He also provides assistance to developers and builders in adapting the Best Management Practices regarding sediment and erosion control during the construction phase of the developments. Chey assists landowners with drainage and erosion issues and helps operate and maintain the district's GIS system.
Chey moved to Hamilton County from the Philippines where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology from Cincinnati State and Technical College. He has four years of experience in the environmental field doing site remediation, environmental sampling and status reporting. He also has construction experience conducting geotechnical testing of engineered fills. His most recent position was with Foppe Technical Group as a Staff Engineer.
Chey moved to Hamilton County from the Philippines where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology from Cincinnati State and Technical College. He has four years of experience in the environmental field doing site remediation, environmental sampling and status reporting. He also has construction experience conducting geotechnical testing of engineered fills. His most recent position was with Foppe Technical Group as a Staff Engineer.
Jim Gleason, CESSWI - Earthwork Technician
Jim is responsible for ensuring compliance to the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations by performing site inspections and providing technical assistance to builders and landowners.
Jim was born and raised in Hamilton County. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 with a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Environmental Studies. After graduation, he interned at UC and the Mill Creek Watershed Council where he is also part of their volunteer water quality monitoring program. He has done volunteer GIS work for Rivers Unlimited and Great Parks of Hamilton County. He recently graduated from Cincinnati State with a degree in Stormwater Management.
Jim has held a lifelong interest in science, nature and conserving natural resources. This has pushed him to focus his efforts on protecting our local water resources and improving water quality. He enjoys hiking local parks with his dogs.
Jim was born and raised in Hamilton County. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 with a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Environmental Studies. After graduation, he interned at UC and the Mill Creek Watershed Council where he is also part of their volunteer water quality monitoring program. He has done volunteer GIS work for Rivers Unlimited and Great Parks of Hamilton County. He recently graduated from Cincinnati State with a degree in Stormwater Management.
Jim has held a lifelong interest in science, nature and conserving natural resources. This has pushed him to focus his efforts on protecting our local water resources and improving water quality. He enjoys hiking local parks with his dogs.
Sarah Kitsinis - Earthwork Technician
Sarah Kitsinis started with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District as an intern in 2015 and formally joined the staff as an Earthwork Technician in September 2016.
Sarah was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and moved to Cincinnati in 2010. She received associate’s degrees in Environmental Engineering Technology and Stormwater Management from Cincinnati State. She has studied mountain ecology in Colorado, is OSHA certified, and has volunteered with both the Mill Creek Watershed Council and the Great Miami River Citizens’ Water Quality Monitoring.
Sarah is a constant learner that loves to travel, even having studied in Greece in 2007. She’s an avid reader, writer, chess player, and dancer. Her and her husband love to visit Asheville, NC and travel the Blue Ridge Parkway with their german shepherd, Athena.
Sarah was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and moved to Cincinnati in 2010. She received associate’s degrees in Environmental Engineering Technology and Stormwater Management from Cincinnati State. She has studied mountain ecology in Colorado, is OSHA certified, and has volunteered with both the Mill Creek Watershed Council and the Great Miami River Citizens’ Water Quality Monitoring.
Sarah is a constant learner that loves to travel, even having studied in Greece in 2007. She’s an avid reader, writer, chess player, and dancer. Her and her husband love to visit Asheville, NC and travel the Blue Ridge Parkway with their german shepherd, Athena.
Aaron Habig - Earthwork Technician
Aaron joined the Earthwork team in 2016. He assists landowners with drainage and erosion issues and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations by performing site inspections.
Aaron was raised in the Cincinnati area and started his college program at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Forest Management. Aaron previously worked for Clermont SWCD, ODNR, and spent many years in the home improvement industry.
Aaron has always been interested in the outdoors and natural resource conservation. He is an Eagle Scout. Aaron and his wife enjoy travel, hiking, biking, and canoeing.
Aaron was raised in the Cincinnati area and started his college program at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Forest Management. Aaron previously worked for Clermont SWCD, ODNR, and spent many years in the home improvement industry.
Aaron has always been interested in the outdoors and natural resource conservation. He is an Eagle Scout. Aaron and his wife enjoy travel, hiking, biking, and canoeing.
Gwen Z. Roth, MAT - Education Specialist
Gwen provides informational programs on soil and water conservation to schools, the general public and civic organizations. She assists in planning and implementing major seasonal events and teacher programs and also coordinates the Caring For Our Watersheds contest.
Gwen graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1995 and a MAT in Biological Sciences through the AIP program at Miami University in 2016. Before joining the staff at the District she worked for the City of Cincinnati Park Board as a Naturalist and as a National Park Service Ranger at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Gwen has worked with the District since 1997 and thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge with students and community members.
Gwen graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1995 and a MAT in Biological Sciences through the AIP program at Miami University in 2016. Before joining the staff at the District she worked for the City of Cincinnati Park Board as a Naturalist and as a National Park Service Ranger at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Gwen has worked with the District since 1997 and thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge with students and community members.
Sara L. Fehring, MA - Education Assistant
Sara started working for the Soil and Water Conservation District in July of 2015. She plans educational presentation and visits local schools, libraries and community groups where she provides them with hands on presentations about soil and water conservation.
Sara graduated from Miami University in 2013 with a B.A in Zoology and again from Miami in 2016 with a M.A in Biology. Prior to her employment with the Soil and Water Conservation District she worked for the City of Fairfield as a Naturalist. Sara enjoys working with kids and is looking forward to meeting with local groups and schools in the community.
Sara graduated from Miami University in 2013 with a B.A in Zoology and again from Miami in 2016 with a M.A in Biology. Prior to her employment with the Soil and Water Conservation District she worked for the City of Fairfield as a Naturalist. Sara enjoys working with kids and is looking forward to meeting with local groups and schools in the community.
Adam C. Lehmann, M.En - Stream Specialist
Adam runs the Stream Conservation Program for the District. The mission of the Stream Conservation Program is to restore and preserve the ecological integrity of Hamilton County’s local water resources. Adam approaches this mission by providing three primary services within Hamilton County: 1) strategic watershed planning and implementation of watershed restoration projects; 2) public education and involved in local water resource stewardship and stormwater management; and 3) land owner consultation regarding stream stewardship and stormwater management.
Adam received bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2006. After graduation, he worked as a research scientist for USEPA, studying watershed management and headwater stream ecology. While working for USEPA, he earned a Master’s degree in environmental science from Miami University. Adam then worked as a consultant for five years helping clients in multiple industries comply with Clean Water Act regulations. He started working for the District in 2016.
Adam received bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2006. After graduation, he worked as a research scientist for USEPA, studying watershed management and headwater stream ecology. While working for USEPA, he earned a Master’s degree in environmental science from Miami University. Adam then worked as a consultant for five years helping clients in multiple industries comply with Clean Water Act regulations. He started working for the District in 2016.