Our rich history of success can be attributed to the diversity of our programs. Perhaps most prevalent has been our work to restore water quality and fish habitat. Of the 172 projects Headwaters has supported, 65% have focused on water quality improvements, fishery restoration and rural water access for fire protection. The founding members of the Charitable Trust lived in the “headwaters” of the Genesee, Susquehanna and Allegheny River systems; hence the name “Headwaters”.
As we look to the future, Headwaters will not stray from our roots. We recognize that our enduring relationships with funders, government, community groups and the public is key to our success. Over the past 30 years, Headwaters Charitable Trust has raised more than $13.7M to benefit our rural communities. Even with our successes, we now find we must continue to redefine our niche. In 2016, the Board initiated a new strategic direction that highlights more of the economic impacts of our work. Our tag line “Employment, Enjoyment, Ecology” is predicated on a restoration economy that increases green collar jobs in water management, recreational development and agricultural sustainability. There is a ripple effect on economic impact from direct jobs, supply chain jobs and tourism/recreation jobs. Our new approach is a big challenge to show the importance of natural resource restoration on local economies and we are very excited to take on this new endeavor.
Headwaters Charitable Trust Board of Directors believe that our region is sustainable when:
Headwaters Charitable Trust increases the quality of life of rural communities through investments that encourage families to live, work, and play in the region
Headwaters Charitable Trust improves livability, sustainability, and health in our rural communities by promoting employment through green jobs, community agriculture, and natural resource restoration.
Headwaters is proud to call the PA Wilds home. We get to live, work, and play in a two million acre landscape composed of twelve distinct and beautiful counties, each with its own unique heritage, character, charm and outdoor adventure… This is the Pennsylvania Wilds!
I have worked professionally and volunteered for various nonprofit organizations for more than 26 years. During this time, I’ve assumed many roles such as serving on board committees, leading fundraising campaigns, directing programs and working to build the organizational leadership capacity for a number of community and statewide organizations. I love working in the nonprofit arena. Most of my experience has been connecting environmental assets with economic development, where I help people enjoy the environment and make a better living from our natural assets.
“This is particularly why I am so committed to Headwaters Charitable Trust’s mission. We use all our available revenues to serve community interests. We have a different bottom line. In business, the ultimate goal is to make a profit. For nonprofits, our goal is to have a positive effect on the communities and people where we work. Working for Headwaters Charitable Trust gives me this opportunity to make a difference and that’s a pretty good feeling. In my spare time, I love to cook, especially with fresh herbs and produce from our garden. I grew up in Clearfield and am 1 of 5 children who has stayed local. And while for a time of commuting to urban areas for work, I am happy to be back home. “
Jon graduated from Penn State University in 1977 with a BS from the College of Business with a major in Economics. He started that June in Banking and is still working in that field. Jon originally planned to get a degree in Biology and work in fisheries or some form of conservation, so instead he enjoys the natural resources by getting out and fishing, hiking, camping, and hunting all over the PA Wilds with his wife Judy, four daughters, and three rescued beagles. He has worked with non-profits for many years with organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the National Turkey Federation. In addition to serving as the Chair of Headwaters, he currently serves on the Boards of the Salvation Army of Centre County and the Youth Service Bureau in Centre County.
A native of Saint Marys, Joshua attended Saint Marys Parochial and Elk County Christian High School. He graduated from Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, PA) in 1993 with a degree in Business Computers Systems Analysis and spent almost 10 years working, living and playing in Pittsburgh for WTAE-TV and then with Equitable Resources, both as Market Research Director.
In April of 2003, he solo-traveled for across the United States with his bikes, canoe, backpacking gear visiting most every National Park between Pennsylvania and Alaska. He then headed to Longmont, Colorado (just outside of Boulder) where he found work first for eToys in Denver and then at the REI in Boulder. Taking advantage of his 6 years in Colorado, Joshua took every climbing/mountaineering course he could with the Colorado Mountain Club. He interned with, then get hired full-time as a farmhand at Ollin Farms in Longmont. In 2009, he moved back to Pennsylvania and married. He and his wife Jenn and two children live in State College. He currently works full time as a Macintosh Systems Administrator for AccuWeather, and part time as a Sales Associate for Appalachian Outdoors. He owns and operates his family’s Certified Naturally Grown hop farm in Saint Marys, Hoffman Appalachian Farm.
Holly graduated from IUP in 1995 with a BA in Political Science and comes to Headwaters with 20+ years of experience in marketing and management for companies like Kmart Corporation, MRG Marketing in St. Louis, Lezzer Lumber Company, Visit Clearfield County.
She is the Executive Director of the Lumber Heritage Region and serves on many boards and councils including: The Clearfield County Library Board, Winkler Gallery art and education center, Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, PA Wilds Marketing Committee, Curwensville Area Revitalization.
In her spare time, Holly enjoys outdoor activies, cooking, and enjoying family.
Al retired in 2013 after 42 years with Sweetland Engineering and Associates as Director of Land Development. There he worked on several large University projects, four Continuing Care Retirement Communities, and numerous Planned Residential Developments and housing projects. He currently serves on various non-profit boards including Mt. Nittany Park and Mount Nittany Conservancy . He is currently the Associate Director for Centre County Conservation District, and has served 24 years on Headwaters Charitable Trust Board. When he finds some free time, Al enjoys boating, fishing, hiking, gardening, home and cottage maintenance projects, family time with seven grandchildren, and summers at Lake Chautauqua with his wife Karen.
Jeff is currently the sales manager for Shaner Hotel Group based in State College, PA. He has authored numerous magazine articles on trout fishing and two books, including “Spinner Fishing for Trout” and “Our Paradise.” He was co-author of a study on Pennsylvania’s Wild Brook Trout Enhancement regulations and has published a poster of original photography, “The Trout Streams of Pennsylvania.”
You can find a video of his technique, produced by WPSU-TV, on YouTube titled “Spinner Fishing.”
Coming Soon!
Raymond R. Learn II joined the Headwaters Board in 2019. He serves as regulatory counsel for Northwest Bank. Prior to joining Northwest Bank, he served as both District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney for McKean County. He earned his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Ray is very active in his community and enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He serves on serval boards including the Smethport Area School Board, Penn State Cooperative Extension Service as well as, serving as secretary of the Keating Sportsman’s Association. He is also an adjunct instructor of business law at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
A special thanks to our past board members:
Michael Alfieri
William F. Anderson
John Alcorn
Jodi McCloskey- Brennan
Carl Brink
Mark Caldwell
Scott Carney
Bill Conrad
Steve Van Eerden
Kay Kristini
David Inzana
Bill Keown
Ed Kosa
Dr. Larry Lytle
Dr. Richard McDowell
James McKean
John Rogers
Harry Whiteman
Rodrick Shadman