2012-2013 Board of Directors
Luci Fernandez, Board Chair
- Cumberland County
Paul Johnson, Vice Chair
- Cumberland County
Jerry Dietzen, Board Secretary
- Cumberland County
Harry Huberth
- Moore County
Charlene Sumlin-Cross
- Cumberland County
Assad Tavakoli
- Cumberland County
Theresa Thompson
- Harnett County
Ex Officio Members
Gregory Bean
- Fort Bragg Directorate of Public Works
Greg Burns
- NC Department of Transportation, Fayetteville Office
David Heins
- Fort Bragg Directorate of Public Works
Monita McLaurin
- Division of Community Assistance, NC Department of Commerce
Chris Russo
- NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Colonel Jeffrey M. Sanborn
- Garrison Commander, Fort Bragg
Staff
Kelly Blandford Bah, Executive Director
(910) 484-9098 or (330) 316-6327 cell
Executive Director Kelly Blandford Bah has headed up the Sustainable Sandhills team since November 2011. Prior to coming to Sustainable Sandhills, she worked with the Canton Development Partnership in in Canton, Ohio, first as a project manager and then assistant director, overseeing community events, farmers' markets, and community building projects where she won awards for her innovative projects and created Canton’s first community garden.
Bah is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer; she spent two years overseas in the Gambia, West Africa working as an agriculture, forestry and small business development extension agent. She earned her BA in Sociology at The Ohio State University, has worked as a Trade Representative at CEVA Logistics (formerly Eagle Global Logistics), has volunteered with numerous community organizations including Stop AIDS Projects, W.O.M.E.N. Inc., and is an experienced canvasser. Bah grew up in rural Ohio where she gardened and kept chickens. She is the current chapter chair of Slow Food Sandhills and loves sharing her passion for local foods and the great out-of-doors. She’s an heirloom tomato aficionado. Together with her 3-year old daughter she takes care of their community garden plot.
Angie Gordon, Office Manager
(910) 484-9098
Angie has a detailed background in corporate accounting and office management, with interests that include hiking, camping, and crafts. She subscribes to a balanced, naturopathic view of health and environmental awareness. Angie hails from the Atlanta area.
Gloria Lengel, Green Schools Coordinator
(910) 678-7046
glorialengel@ccs.k12.nc.us
Green Schools Coordinator Gloria Lengel brings 30+ years as a North Carolina educator to Sustainable Sandhills, with expertise in Earth and Environmental Sciences. She is a certified North Carolina Environmental Educator. Gloria is presently working on her Master's in Environmental Education from Montreat College in the mountains of North Carolina. Her thesis is researching the factors that influence the retention of beekeepers in the field. She teaches classes and mentors beekeepers through the North Carolina State Beekeeping Association and locally with the Hoke County beekeepers.
Hanah Ehrenreich, Sustainability Manager
(910) 484-9098
Hanah is the ORISE Fellow for Sustainable Sandhills with the mission to conduct a research study on environmental and economic effects of planning and solid waste management/recycling. Hanah is a vocal advocate and engaging public speaker on the topic of smart growth and on Buy Local economic development policies. She earned an MSc in Violence, Conflict, and Development Studies from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London; and a BA in Government with Honors from Smith College. Hanah was heavily involved in sustainable development and local economy-building in Syracuse, New York and is committed to the progression of the Sandhills as a vibrant and forward thinking region. She has lived and worked in London, Israel, Belfast, and Washington, DC.
Sustainable Sandhills Press Kit
Our History
In 2000, Fort Bragg leadership took a proactive stand to ensure the long-term viability of the installation. By mid-2002, the installation's newly formed Sustainable Fort Bragg (SFB) program had succeeded in identifying its environmental footprint, and based on that information, developed goals contered on air, water, energy, education, and construction to reduce that footprint.
Realizing that environmental impacts don't stop at the installation boundary, Fort Bragg and the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources convened stakeholders from the surrounding communities to propose the idea of a new partnership - the Sustainable Sandhills initiative. In February 2003, a Steering Committee was establised in order to keep the momentum going and take the necessary steps to turn the idea into a plan. The Steering committee decided that four conditions must be met in order to have a sustainable society:
- Don’t rely on nonrenewable resources;
- Don’t systematically increase synthetic products that don’t biodegrade;
- Don’t degrade nature’s services (trees that create oxygen, wetlands that provide habitat and filter water); and
- Make sure everyone’s basic needs are met.
Since 2003, the initiative has evolved into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. In 2005, it expanded to eight counties by adding Lee and Montgomery counties to the original six counties: Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland.
See our 501(c)(3) letter. See our By Laws.
Board Records