Staff

	Jesus Barreto, Public Outreach Organizer Jesus joined the NC Conservation Network in November 2017. He graduated from UNC – Chapel Hill in 2017 with a BA in environmental studies. Before joining the NC Conservation Network, Jesus worked as a forestry research technician under the Jim Clark Lab at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. In his spare time, Jesus enjoys playing and watching soccer, cooking (mainly eating) food, and listening to the latest hip podcast. jesus[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 104
	Brian Buzby, Executive Director Brian joined the NC Conservation Network in 1999. He serves as an appointee to the Durham Planning Commission and the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, the NC Center for Public Policy Research and numerous other nonprofits. Brian received his BA in Environmental Policy from Ithaca College and a certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. He was also a 2006 American Marshall Memorial Fellow with the German Marshall Fund. brian[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 100
	Jamie Cole, Environmental Justice, Air, and Materials Policy Manager Jamie joined the NC Conservation Network in August 2015. Jamie holds a Juris Doctor degree from NCCU School of Law (2012) and a BA in Political Science from Spelman College (2009). Before joining the NC Conservation Network, she worked for the North Carolina NAACP as the Public Policy and Legal Coordinator and while in school was a Fellow in Washington, DC in the office of Former U.S. Representative Mel Watt. In January 2014 she received the NC NAACP’s “Humanitarian of the Year” award. Jamie currently serves on the Planning Committee for the NC Environmental Justice Network and the Board of Directors of Forward Justice. jamie[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 113
	Tameka Davis, Bookkeeper/Office Manager Tameka joined the NC Conservation Network in April 2016. She received her B.S. in Business Administration/Management from North Carolina A&T University in 2006. In 2018, Tameka received her certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Prior to coming to the NC Conservation Network, Tameka held a Retail Management position with Walgreens and later joined the Wake County Courthouse as a Bookkeeper. Tameka is a former volunteer with Lucy Daniels Center and the North Carolina Food Bank. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends. tameka[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 115
	Kate Fulbright, Affiliate Organizer Kate joined the NC Conservation Network in June 2014 as the Coal Ash Organizer. She received her BA in History at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT in 2011. Before joining the NC Conservation Network, she worked with her brother to produce a documentary film on climate change and people. She also served on the coordinating committee of Charlotte Environmental Action, and worked closely with Rainforest Action Network and Greenpeace. In her free time, Kate has been learning to mountain bike, and she enjoys camping, hiking, and gardening. kate[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 111
	Mindy Hiteshue, Director of Operations and Finance Mindy joined the NC Conservation Network full time in January of 2002 but has been working with the NC Conservation Network since May of 2000. Mindy graduated from NC State University (NCSU) in December of 2001 with a BA in Spanish Language and Literature and a certification in Business Spanish. She received her certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and served on the Board of Directors for Toxic Free North Carolina from December 2006 through December 2014. Mindy also has volunteered and completed committee service with other organizations including the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation and El Pueblo. mindy[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 102
	Brittany Iery, Online Organizer Brittany joined the NC Conservation Network’s staff in August 2010. She received her BA in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) in December of 2006. Prior to coming to the NC Conservation Network, she spent two years with the New River Foundation as their Outreach Director under the highly successful Project Rainmakers program. While in college Brittany was an intern with Cape Fear River Watch where she planned an environmental education summer camp for youth and worked with fellow students to create a proposal on the effects of C8 contamination from a local manufacturing plant. brittany[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 108
	Mike Lento, Digital Content Creator Mike joined the staff at NC Conservation Network in November 2016. Mike majored in media studies and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After graduating college, Mike worked in television news for the local NBC Raleigh affiliate. After living the TV life for a few years, Mike became a graphic designer and put his creative skill set to use. You can usually find Mike laying on the couch with his dachshund or critiquing kerning on a cereal box. mike[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x122
	Grady McCallie, Policy Director Grady started as the NC Conservation Network’s Policy Analyst in December 2000, and has served as Policy Director since 2007. Grady holds a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (1993), and a BA in History and Economics from Yale University (1990). Before joining the NC Conservation Network, he worked for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (1994) in Annapolis and the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, D.C. (1994-2000). He has worked and written on water quality, water quantity, and growth issues, and was named 2016 Water Conservationist of the Year by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. grady[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 101
	Brian Powell, Communications Director Brian joined the NC Conservation Network in April 2016. Brian holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law (2009) and a BA in Journalism and Political Science from Miami University (2004). Previously, Brian worked in Washington, DC, as Associate Research Director for Media Matters for America, where he also led a successful effort to unionize the staff. His experience includes serving as the press secretary for a congressional campaign, and as Communications Director for the Vail Chamber & Business Association in Colorado. Brian is a licensed NC Attorney, an award-winning photographer, and an avid writer of fiction and poetry. powell[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 109
	Stephanie Schweickert, Senior Campaign Organizer Stephanie joined NC Conservation Network’s staff in August 2011. She received a degree in sociology from Ohio University in 2007, where she also studied history and received a certificate in the Global Leadership Center program. Prior to joining NC Conservation Network, Stephanie worked as the Outreach Coordinator at Sound Rivers (formerly Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation) and served an AmeriCorps term working at a rural homeless shelter. Stephanie currently serves on the Board of the Beehive Collective, a giving circle in Raleigh. In her free time she enjoys hiking and exploring North Carolina with her family. stephanie[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 103
	Michael Scipioni, Public Action Organizer Michael Scipioni joined the NC Conservation Network as the Public Action Organizer in June 2018. He graduated from UNC – Wilmington in 2016 with a BA in Political Science. Before joining the NC Conservation Network, Michael worked as a political organizer with the NC Coordinated Campaign, and later, with Progressive Turnout Project. In his spare time, Michael enjoys watching movies and shows, videogames, going to the gym, learning about new vegan food, and having fun at the beach.michael[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 110
	Nicole Stewart, Development Director Nicole began working with the NC Conservation Network in September of 2003. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) in May of 2003 with a BA in Environmental Studies. Nicole served as our Affiliate Organizer for seven years and then transitioned to become our Development Director in 2011. She’s passionate about fundraising for the causes she cares about and helping other organizations succeed in their own fundraising efforts. Nicole helped form the Raleigh women’s giving circle, The Beehive Collective. nicole[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 105
	Peter Walz, Director of Strategy and Organizing Peter joined the NC Conservation Network’s staff in December 2005. He received his degree in International Studies from Miami (Ohio) University in 1996. Prior to coming to the NC Conservation Network he spent almost seven years as a community organizer with Democracy North Carolina, organizing for campaign finance and voting rights issues in the state. He also spent two years working with at-risk youth as a counselor-teacher in an Eckerd Youth Alternatives wilderness camp in Surry County, North Carolina. peter[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 106
	Alfrë Wimberley, Policy Fellow Alfrë joined the NC Conservation Network in November of 2018. She graduated from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in 2017 with a BS in Environmental Science and has a history of working in private consulting and with non-profits. Before graduation, Alfre completed research on the topics of renewable energy installation, marine toxicology, and energy fuel cells. In addition, Alfrë has done Emergency Action Plan development with the NOAA Small Boats Program and studied Business at University College Dublin. In her spare time, she enjoys playing field hockey, going to as many concerts as possible, and traveling when time allows. alfre[at]ncconservationnetwork.org, 919.857.4699 x 119