About Us
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Beaufort Soil & Water Conservation District is made up of a volunteer board of five commissioners, two appointed by the state and three elected in the general election. Three associate commissioners volunteer their experience and expertise to the board of commissioners.
The Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Alan A. Ulmer, Jr. Chairperson (A)
Claude E. McLeod, Jr. Vice-Chairperson (A)
Denise M. Parsick, Secretary/Treasurer (E)
Luke Inabinett, Commissioner (E)
Danni Lesesne, Commissioner (E)
Art Holland, Associate
Carol Murphy, Associate
Howard Heckrotte, Associate
Hilary Gallop, Associate
District Employees
Board of Commissioners
District Employees
Leslie Meola, District Manager
Eliza Mehle, Education Coordinator
Debby Way, Education Specialist
John O'Connell, Volunteer Education Specialist
Walter Mack, Field Agent
Meet the District Employees
Leslie Meola
Born and raised in central New York. Lived in New Hampshire for 28 years where she and her husband raised their family. Relocated to Beaufort in 2016. She loves the beach (especially finding shark teeth) and entertaining house guests. Through the Conservation District she values sharing the importance of conservation.
Eliza Mehle
Eliza was born in the lowcountry and grew up on the May River. She recently graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Biology with a concentrations in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. In her free time she enjoys birding, kayaking, and generally spending time in the outdoors.
Debby Way
Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas in San Antonio
Master Naturalist
CE Courses from the University of Georgia
Member of:
Master Naturalist Association
Audubon
Native Plant Society
Camellia Garden Club
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina
John O'Connell
A Beaufort Native
Beaufort High School Class of 1973
Founding Member of Burton Fire District (1973)
25 yrs US Army (retired) 1973 - 1998
Science Teacher, Port Royal Elementary School, 15 yrs, 2006 DHEC Champions of the Environment Award
Teacher, 3rd grade, Bridges Preparatory School, 5yrs
Certified State-Wide Master Naturalist
