Team & Staff Members

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association. Founded in 1974 as an organization focused on the preservation of the riverfront in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, the organization has grown in its mission and geographic scope over the years. The Greenway Association is governed by a Board of Directors representing all five counties within the Heritage Area. Today, use of the name Schuylkill River Greenway Association is typically reserved for legal and financial purposes, and members of the Board and staff refer to the organization as the Schuylkill River Greenways NHA. The Heritage Area has a small but dedicated staff who work to administer the programs and projects identified in our Management Plan. Members of the staff include:

Elaine Paul Schaefer

Executive Director
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Elaine joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in 2017 as the Executive Director. In 2019 Elaine was elected to serve as a Council Member for Delaware County. Prior to that she served eight years as a Township Commissioner for Radnor Township, and served as President of the Board for three of those years. Before joining Radnor’s board, Elaine co-founded the Radnor Conservancy, where she served as Executive Director and President and focused on developing a conservation easement program and protecting the last remaining farm in Radnor, Ardrossan. She ran for state representative for the 165th District in 2016. She serves on many local and regional boards. Elaine and her husband John have three adult children and she loves discovering the Schuylkill River Trail and river every day!

Tim Fenchel

Deputy Director
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Tim has been with Schuylkill River Greenways since 2006 serving in several roles and functions over the years. He has almost 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and over the last twelve years with SRG has managed multiple grant programs and dozens of projects. His passion is for the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, a grant program that supports water quality projects throughout the watershed. He is also currently working on a project to develop a series of recreational hubs throughout river town communities along the Schuylkill. Tim lives near Skippack, PA with his wife and three children and when not on the job enjoys fishing, traveling, hanging out by rivers and a good campfire.

Rosemary Keane

Communications Director
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Rosemary joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in 2022 as the Communications Director. She has a BA in English from The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA.  Before joining the team Rosemary had been a freelance writer for over 20 years, and a social media manager specializing in small businesses and non-profits.  She is active in volunteer work.  She lives in Pottstown with her husband, and occasionally one of her three college aged and adult children.  She enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and travelling in her spare time.

Elaine Anderson

Finance Manager
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Elaine has recently joined the Schuylkill River Greenways as the Finance Manager.  Prior to that Elaine was a Business Director for several years at a watershed conservation, land preservation, and environmental education non-profit.  In addition, Elaine has worked in public accounting and at a major utility.  She has served on several committees and volunteers in her local community.  Elaine and her husband live in Chester County and have three children.  She enjoys traveling, hiking, swimming, gardening, and spending time with family.

Alexandra Shandera

Events and Development Coordinator
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Alex joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in 2019. She has a B.S. in Sustainable Business and Community Development from Catawba College. Alex coordinates SRG’s 3 signature events – The Schuylkill River Sojourn, Ride for The River, and the Scenes of Schuylkill Art Show and Fundraiser Night. In addition to coordinating events, Alex also focuses on all fundraising efforts for the organization. Alex’s passion for the Schuylkill River began when she was 13 years old during her first experience on the annual Sojourn. She has attended more than 10 Schuylkill River Sojourns which comes in handy as she is the main coordinator for the annual guided paddle event. In her free time, you can find Alex hiking, kayaking, and traveling near and far for delicious food.

Ayashe Ramey

Education Director
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Ayashe joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in January 2023 as the Education Director. She earned a B.A in Global Studies and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and will earn a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 2023. She manages educational events and volunteer programs focused on the environment, history, recreation, and watershed health. Ayashe is new to Pennsylvania and spends her time exploring new places to hike and paddle, reading, and finding the best vegetarian foods that Philadelphia has to offer!

 

 

 

Kim Mooney

Administrative Coordinator 
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Kim joined the SRG team in May 2022.  She graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Community/Commercial Recreation Management. Kim lives in Phoenixville and spends her free time kayaking, hiking, gardening, and crafting.

Julia Farrell Hurle

Trails Director
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Julia, SRG Trails Director,  is a trail designer and open space planner who hold a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.   She is working to expand and improve the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill counties and create new river landings along the Schuylkill River Water Trail.  She was on the steering committee that established the Schuylkill River Heritage Area in 1995.  Julia and her husband Mark have two adult children and recently moved to Harleysville.

 

Jacob Gardner

Trails Project Manager
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Jacob came on board as an integral part of our trails team in June 2022.  Born and raised in Birdsboro, Jacob graduated from Unity College in Maine. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking. He volunteers as a football coach for Twin Valley High School and at local foodbanks.

Kevin Keifrider

Trail Maintenance & Safety Manager
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Kevin joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in 2021 as the Trail Maintenance & Safety Manager. He is retired from the Pottstown Police Department where he was a Corporal in the Detective Unit. Kevin is an Amity Township Supervisor. He also owns Lucky Squirrel Printworks, a local sign and screen printing company. Kevin enjoys several outside activities including hiking and mountain bike riding. One of his favorite activities is spending time outdoors on his boat. He is a local historian and explores old properties and buildings in his spare time. He was the Chairman of Amity Township’s 300th Celebration and wrote a book about Amity Township History. Kevin lives in Amity Township with his wife of 32 years. He has three daughters and five grandchildren.