Meet the Team
We are united
in our love of this special place.
Everyone on the CNP board and staff brings a unique set of skills and talents to the common goal of making this place the best it can be, sharing it with the community, and fostering a love and appreciation for nature in visitors of all ages!
Staff
Erin Knight
Executive Director
It was during her 13+ years working in land conservation with Upstate Forever, ultimately serving as Land Trust Director, that Erin first visited the land that would become Conestee Nature Preserve. It wasn’t yet protected, or open to the public. There were no trails. Just unmatched beauty, incredible wildlife, and potential. It always called to her, and one day, she answered! Erin is passionate about connecting people and nature, and improving the organization she loves.
Taylor Earley
Education & Trails Specialist
An upstate native, Taylor spent her childhood exploring the woods near her home, enjoying wild honeysuckle and collecting snail shells. Her love and appreciation for wildlife inspired her to earn a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of South Carolina. After graduation, Taylor joined the Palmetto Conservation Corps and helped build the Palmetto Trail. Now an environmental educator, Taylor works to instill in others the same passion she’s always had for the natural world.
Amanda Foster
Conservation and Trails Director
Amanda’s lifelong love of nature guides her work at CNP, where she regards the land and all of its wild inhabitants not simply as a resource, but as a living community to which we all belong and share responsibility. Drawing from an educational background in outdoor leadership and environmental sciences, Amanda brings over a decade of experience working on diverse trail projects across public and private lands. Her focus is on restoring ecological health and maintaining sustainable trails where people can build meaningful connections with nature.
Jim Groener
Environmental Educator
Jim discovered his love of nature at the Jersey Shore, but migrated to SC to attend Clemson University for Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. He spent the next 20 years in Florida, honing his skills as an educational tour guide, narrator of animal exhibits, and animal handler. He returned to the Upstate in 2018 and worked at the Greenville Zoo before discovering the most amazing classroom of all, Conestee Nature Preserve.
Kea Payton
Environmental Educator
Kea is a South Carolina native with northern roots and an affinity for being near the sea. She earned bachelor’s degrees in marine biology and environmental science from UNC Wilmington, a master’s in marine biology from the College of Charleston, and a doctorate in Biological Sciences at Clemson University. Kea is passionate about helping others understand how the ocean, land, and wildlife are interconnected, and she is excited to inspire curiosity and learning at CNP.
Meghan Salm
Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator
Raised in a small town in the Virginia mountains, Meghan’s desire to protect the environment was ignited early on. Her pursuit of that passion led her to earn a degree in Sustainability from Furman University. Meghan spent a year with AmeriCorps before assuming the role of Sustainability Education Coordinator at Sustaining Way, a local nonprofit. As CNP’s Program Administrator, Meghan cultivates community around nature. A true bookworm, Meghan is always reading a good story.
Ben Stansell
Conservation & Volunteer Manager
Ben’s first few visits to CNP were filled with wonder. How could a place like this – where herons perch and trails wind through forest for miles – exist just a few minutes from the urban center of Greenville? Even though he’s helped maintain trails at CNP for over a year, that sense of wonder hasn’t worn off. A former journalist, Ben has enjoyed leaning into his passion for conservation while learning about trail infrastructure and access.
Jackson Stephenson
Trails & Conservation Specialist
Born and raised in a small town in the Upstate, Jackson developed a love for nature at a young age during camping trips with his Dad and Granddad. Jackson, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina-Upstate, previously worked with Greenville Parks and Rec and Spartanburg Parks and Rec. He’s excited to facilitate outdoor connection through his role at CNP. Jackson is an avid sports fan and is always planning his next great camping adventure.
Joseph Waterbury-Tieman
Environmental Educator
Growing up in the shade of mighty oaks and only a short, booted trek to the creek, Joseph discovered a profound, lifelong connection with nature. Encouraged to explore and nurture his imagination, he pursued studies combining creativity with scientific inquiry. Equipped with a master’s in marine biology from Coastal Carolina University, he draws on his training and enthusiasm to advance conservation and inspire curiosity in others. You’ll often find him knee-deep in water, net in hand, eager to share nature’s treasures with visitors.
Sarah Whitmire
Education Director
Sarah holds a bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Biology and a master’s in Secondary Science Education from the University of Georgia. Prior to CNP, Sarah taught at J.L. Mann High School, was Program Director for a residential environmental education program in Georgia, and had several wildlife field technician jobs tracking everything from rodents to black bears. Teaching outside is her happy place, and CNP is the best classroom she could have asked for!
Josh Zalabak
Advancement Director
Josh grew up camping, fishing and hunting throughout Central Florida. These experiences fostered a passion for nature and an interest in wildlife that led him to a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Florida . After 10 years in Animal Care at a zoo in Orlando and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, he transitioned into marketing, becoming PR coordinator at the Aquarium for just over a year before coming to Conestee in 2021.
Board
Henry Sullivan
Chair
A long time Greenville resident with family ties throughout the Upstate, Henry Sullivan began practicing law in Greenville in 1987. He currently practices with his firm, McKinney Sullivan, LLC, Attorneys at Law, and focuses on real estate transactions. Henry utilizes his professional experience to aid the Preserve in land conservation efforts. He has been married to Ann Douglas Sullivan, a Greenville native and public elementary school teacher, since 1990, and they have two adult children.
Megan Young
Vice Chair
Megan Young is a Wofford and Clemson graduate with a government administration and operations background. She is a management consultant working with park agencies and districts nationwide. She and her family enjoy walking at the preserve, and her daughter enjoys identifying insects. She strives to protect Conestee’s most valuable natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for the preserve.
Scott Trenor
Secretary
Both as a professional in the recycling industry and an avid mountain biker, Scott Trenor understands and appreciates Conestee Nature Preserve on multiple levels. This unique perspective has informed his continued efforts to better the Preserve since he joined the board in 2022. Scott, a board member of the Upstate Southern Off-Road Biking Association, played a hands-on role in developing the Preserve’s mountain bike trail and continues to support its expansion.
Andy Finley
Treasurer
After falling in love with Greenville as a student at Furman University, Finley returned to the Upstate after earning his master’s in accounting from the University of South Carolina. He is currently a senior manager in KPMG’s Greenville office, bringing to the CNP board an invaluable understanding of non-profit accounting. He’s long been involved in conservation efforts at the Preserve and through his engagement with Trees Upstate.
Nicole Cendrowski
As co-founder and CMO of Fireforge Crafted Beer in downtown Greenville, Nicole Cendrowski is a dynamic force in the Upstate’s small business and nonprofit communities. Nicole utilizes her extensive background in marketing communications and business development to expand the Preserve’s visibility. Her goal is to ensure Conestee Nature Preserve continues to be an accessible, sustainable destination for outdoor enthusiasts to foster a meaningful connection with nature.
Dr. Carson Johnson
Retiring in 2019, after serving as an Anesthesiologist at PRISMA for 33 years, Carson discovered new interests in the natural world. Upon completing the Upstate Master Naturalist Program in the fall of 2022 and the Catawba Master Naturalist Program in the spring of 2023, he served as the President of the Upstate Master Naturalist Association from 2023 until 2025 and is presently Advisor to their Board. Developing an interest in birding he joined the Greenville County Bird Club in 2019 and has served as President for the past year. He is also a member of the Upstate Native Plant Society and has been active in the annual plant survey and assists with categorizing and inventorying native plants around the Upstate.
Buddy Mills
John “Buddy” Mills is known professionally for his work as a financial professional, but he’s spent much of his time advocating for causes close to his heart – both in the Upstate and abroad. Buddy worked with his alma mater, Wake Forest University, to protect the Lighthouse Atoll Coral Reef in Belize. Locally, he has been a friend of numerous conservation efforts. He’s also the co-founder of Spectrum-Villages, a startup focused on supporting neurodiverse adults.
Lakin Parr
A partner and broker at Trinity Partners’ Greenville office, Lakin Parr is deeply ingrained in the Upstate community. He serves on the executive committee of Meals on Wheels of Greenville and is a member of First Presbyterian Church. An Eagle Scout and outdoor enthusiast, Lakin enjoys walking with his wife, Paige, and daughter, Sloane, at Conestee on the weekends. Lakin is passionate about helping sustain CNP for future generations of Greenville residents to enjoy.
Dr. Lori Pindar
Dr. Lori M. Pindar is an educator, creator, and brand leadership expert committed to advancing inclusive excellence across higher education and professional spaces. As a faculty leader in brand communications, Lori teaches and mentors upper-level undergraduate students, guiding them in the development of personal branding, critical thinking, presentation acumen, and ethical leadership practices. Beyond the classroom, Lori serves as a consultant and executive coach through her firm, Adley Communications, LLC. When not at work, she volunteers with her local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves as chapter president, and enjoys time with her husband, Justin, and their daughters, Olive and Violet.
Chasity Ramos
If you’ve spent much time in the Preserve, you’ve likely seen Chasity Ramos in action – leading a group hike or guiding a crowd of bird watchers. An outgoing advocate for the outdoors, Chasity facilitated deeper connections with Conestee Nature Preserve as the immediate past Network leader. She has been a pivotal figure in the upstate chapter of Outdoor Afro, a national network that encourages and inspires Black people to engage with land, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.
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Megan Shell
A Respiratory Therapist and Clinical Educator at Prisma Health, Megan is passionate about education, community health, and the outdoors. As an avid hiker and nature enthusiast, she loves exploring local trails and preserving the natural spaces that make Greenville special. Megan, her husband, and their two kids visit the Preserve often, and it has become a meaningful place for the family. Megan is honored to support its mission and future.
Mary Allison Zimmerman
Mary Allison Zimmerman is deeply rooted in the Greenville community Tracing her family’s lineage in the area back seven generations, she’s the third consecutive member of her family to sell real estate in Greenville. As a member of the Preserve’s board, Mary Allison uses her fundamental understanding of Greenville to build on the legacy left by her father, George Zimmerman, who helped guide the Preserve as a board member from the nonprofit’s inception.
Ex Officio
Colin Young
In his role as Parks Maintenance & Development Manager for Greenville County, Colin Young is passionate about enabling broad access to recreation opportunities. He’s particularly interested in connecting people with the outdoors, which is what he’s done during his time on the Preserve’s Board. Colin is a bridge between Greenville County and CNP, making sure that both entities are working together to offer Greenville County residents opportunities to connect with nature in a safe setting.
Will Young
Will Young is Deputy Director for Parks, Recreation and Tourism for the City of Greenville. Will previously served as Special Event Manager, Downtown Project Manager and most recently the Tourism Administrator. In these roles, Will has overseen the growth of Bank of America Fall for Greenville and the addition of events like Fireworks on the Fourth and Greenville Jazz Fest. Will is married to Ellen Young of Easley, SC. They have three children, Arlo, Paul, and Mills.
Haley Denison
Haley serves as a Watershed & Natural Resources Specialist at Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), Conestee Nature Preserve’s upstream neighbor. She is passionate about protecting water resources and helping communities connect with their local environment. Her background includes leading stormwater education and green infrastructure efforts with Clemson Cooperative Extension, service with AmeriCorps and state environmental agencies, and volunteering with Upstate nonprofits. Outside of work, she enjoys paddling, hiking, and spending time in the preserve’s wetlands.
