Damon Mullis

Ogeechee Riverkeeper/Executive Director

Damon grew up in rural south Georgia where he spent his free time outdoors fishing and exploring local rivers and streams. His time in the great outdoors led to an appreciation of the natural world and a passion for understanding how it works, a quest that led him to Georgia Southern University where he earned bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in biology.

His research has focused on how physical and chemical changes in freshwater ecosystems affect their biological communities with projects, including studies on the connectivity between rivers and floodplains, the effects of beaver dams on freshwater invertebrate communities, secondary production of macroinvertebrates, nutrient monitoring, and water quality monitoring in rivers and streams. Before pursuing a career in science, Damon managed small businesses for over 13 years.

When time permits, the Mullis clan, which also includes his wife, daughter, and a rambunctious canine, enjoys boating, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, and just generally being outside.

Email: damon(at)ogeecheeriverkeeper(dot)org
Phone: 866-942-6222 x4

Meaghan Walsh Gerard

Communications and Administrative Director

Meaghan was born in Illinois, then grew up along the east coast. Skiing in New England, hiking in Yellowstone, kayaking in Maine, and exploring Viking settlements in Newfoundland were all part of a childhood filled with outdoor adventures.

After graduating from college in New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in English, she moved to a much less snowy Savannah. While managing a performing arts and historic site nonprofit, she earned a master’s degree in cinema studies. Her research included genre evolution, Southern architecture in film, Gothic structures, and iconography.

Meaghan enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. She has snorkeled at Dry Tortugas, the most remote location in the National Park System; explored the streets of Old Havana, Cuba; hiked 84 miles across Northern England along Hadrian’s Wall; floated down the Snake River in the Grand Tetons; walked across a volcano caldera in Hawaii; and climbed to the underground city beneath Edinburgh, Scotland.

Email: meaghan(at)ogeecheeriverkeeper(dot)org
Phone: 866-942-6222 x3

Ben Kirsch

Legal Director

Ben is a proud Clevelander with roots in southwest Ohio, spending lots of time throughout the state. Growing up near Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River made a big impression on his early awareness of the importance of our shared waters. These waters’ resilience and the decades of advocacy efforts around them continue to inspire his work.

After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, Ben served in the Peace Corps, teaching English in a remote Mongolian village. Living so close to wilderness and seeing the environment’s central role in the community further deepened his appreciation for the natural world. His time on the Mongolian steppe cemented his plans to become an environmental advocate.

He gained a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, with certificates in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Energy, Innovation, and Sustainability Law. Ben was also awarded the law school’s Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Leadership Award in 2019. During school, he gained practical experience with numerous legal clinics, environmental non-profits, and community groups in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions. Before joining the Ogeechee Riverkeeper team, Ben worked to protect and restore the lower Deschutes River in Central Oregon.

In his free time, Ben loves to get out camping and hiking whenever he can. He also enjoys live music, a good book, great trivia and board game competition, and trying to keep up with his dog.

Email: ben(at)ogeecheeriverkeeper(dot)org
Phone: 866-942-6222 x9

Hesper Linger

Development and Events Manager

Hesper grew up in West Virginia, where she developed a love of water thanks to the abundance of lakes, streams, and secret swimming spots. After graduating college with a degree in sociology and political science, she moved to Ohio and took her first (albeit short-lived) fundraising job with Sierra Club. When she relocated to North Carolina she worked in project management before spending 15 years in various development roles at Duke University. Most recently, she was the development director for DukeEngage, the university’s civic engagement program that pairs undergraduates with global community partners.

Hesper enjoys reading, traveling, the antics of her two cats, and trying to get grass to grow in her backyard. This is her second stint in Savannah, having returned after missing the palm trees, warm winters, and historic charm.

Email: hesper(at)ogeecheeriverkeeper(dot)org
Phone: 866-942-6222 x 6

Lauren Strickland

Education and Outreach Coordinator

Lauren is a Georgia Southern University graduate and Statesboro native with a lifelong devotion to the Ogeechee River. Lauren’s passion for the river has nurtured a respect that reaches into all areas of the environment. As the Education and Outreach Coordinator, Lauren assists ORK with volunteer efforts, outreach, member’s only events, litter cleanups, and Adopt-a-Stream water quality monitoring. When she isn’t on a sandbar at the river, Lauren enjoys gardening, ceramics, and hanging out with her family.

Email: lauren(at)ogeecheeriverkeeper(dot)org
Phone: 866-942-6222 x 5

Interns

Cimaya McCreary

As ORK’s Water Policy Intern, Cimaya helps the organization research permits, applications, municipal planning documents, and more to promote responsible, regional growth. Cimaya grew up between the DC Metropolitan Area and Savannah, cultivating a deep curiosity and commitment to excellence. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Oglethorpe University and currently pursues a M.S. in International Policy at Kennesaw State University. With policy experience at the Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas, Cimaya is dedicated to meaningful change.

Lead Volunteers

Melanie Sparrow

Victoria Clower

Victoria is a first-year doctoral student attending Georgia Southern University and is studying Community Health. She is an avid Adopt-A-Stream volunteer and assists with many outreach events and other ORK educational opportunities. In her free time she enjoys walking with her dog and spending time with friends.

Hannah Dugan

Hannah was raised in the north Atlanta area and moved to Statesboro in 2019 to complete her undergraduate degree at Georgia Southern University. She is in the midst of her biology program, with a focus in environmental science and involved in the Tri Beta organization. While with ORK, she has worked on the Don’t Litter Lotts project, Adopt-a-Landing program, water quality monitoring and education and outreach. She successfully completed her sustainability practicum project to implement trash cans at four boat landings in Bulloch county.

She grew up hiking and exploring the outdoors that led to a love for nature. In her free time, she enjoys camping, reading, caring for stray animals, and spending time with friends and family.

Loren Mathews

Loren Mathews, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. She has devoted much of her career teaching first-year biology majors and mentoring undergraduate research students and science education interns. Her research focus is on coastal water quality and the connection it has to human alterations in coastal ecosystems. Loren volunteers locally with the Keep Statesboro Bulloch Beautiful Board, the Kennedy Pond Conservancy Ecological Advisory Council, and the Statesboro Service League. She has also worked with other Riverkeeper organizations in the past. On the homefront, Loren is married to an avid fisherman and hunter turned attorney. Together they have two boys and enjoy being outdoors on the water or in the woods.

Board of Directors

Executive Officers

Michael Dayoub, Chair
Owner and president of Alpha Financial Management in Savannah, Ga.

Clay Mobley, Vice-chair
Account executive with Optimum Water

Catherine Harrison Cobb, Treasurer
Broker/Owner Southeastern Fine Properties, Lott’s Creek & Ogeechee Riverfront land steward

Katherine Cummings, Secretary
Community organizer, member, Fall-Line Alliance for a Clean Environment

Directors

Rhoda Allen, MBA
Retired international project manager, IBM

Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D.
Professor & associate dean of Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies at Georgia Southern University

Bobby Davenport
Real estate agent and principal, Bay Street Realty Group; Ten Foot Properties, LLC; Founding trustee of the Lula Lake Land Trust

Sue Ebanks, Ph.D.
Associate professor of marine and environmental sciences at Savannah State University

Mark Lebos, M.S.
Exercise physiologist, owner of Strong Gym in Savannah, Ga.

Carla Mayes
Citizen

Will Monroe
Retired businessman and property owner

Jody Slater
Riverfront landowner, retired teacher, and business owner