Our Staff
Blue Water Baltimore is proud to have a Board of Directors and staff who are committed to creating community programs that promote clean, healthy waterways.
Our dedicated staff is responsible for our essential day-to-day operations and the implementation of our programs.
Staff
Halle Van der Gaag, Executive Director
Halle Van der Gaag is an experienced nonprofit executive and expert on issues of water quality and land use who has held management positions with the Trust for Public Land and the Parks & People Foundation. More recently, she was the Executive Director of the Jones Falls Watershed Association (JFWA) for five years and was instrumental in merging the JFWA with four regional water quality organizations to create Blue Water Baltimore. As Executive Director, Halle is focusing on expanding Blue Water Baltimore’s outreach, lobbying capacity, and fundraising.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 105
Email: hvandergaag@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Tina Meyers, WATERKEEPER
An environmental attorney and Buffalo, NY native, Tina specializes in Clean Water Act law and policy. Prior to starting at Blue Water Baltimore in 2012, Tina worked as a staff attorney for the University of Maryland School of Law Environmental Law Clinic, representing the Chesapeake region Waterkeepers and other clients in several Clean Water Act lawsuits, permit appeals, and environmental justice cases. Since moving to Baltimore in 2008, Tina has fallen in love with the area and is devoted to protecting local water quality to ensure a healthy community. Tina earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Biology from University of Rochester and a J.D. from University at Buffalo School of Law, with a concentration in Environmental Law.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x112
Email: tmeyers@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Darin Crew, Senior Program Manager, Nursery, Forestry & Green Jobs
Darin is a jack of-all-trades who leads our Nursery, Workforce Development and Youthworks Program, and Greening programs. He started with Herring Run Watershed Association in 2003, after serving as a fellow for the Chesapeake Bay Program and pulling seine nets for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Darin has previously served on the Board of the South River Federation. He and his family live in Beverly Hills. You may see him biking across town or trying to catch a fish in one of our local fishable streams. Darin earned a B.S. in Biology from University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x104
Email: dcrew@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Ashley Traut, Senior Program Manager, Stormwater Management & Community Outreach
Ashley is a conservation biologist. As Senior Program Manager for Stormwater and Community Outreach he develops and leads programs focused on community-wide stormwater reduction strategies. Current efforts include overseeing the Downspout Disconnection campaign and managing our emerging Blue Alleys program. His primary interests include threatened and endangered species, urban ecology, and sustainable design. Ashley earned a B.S. in Terrestrial Ecology from University of Vermont and an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from University of Florida.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x103
Email: atraut@bluewaterbaltimore.org
David Flores, Water Quality Manager, WATERKEEPER Program
David Flores joined the Jones Falls Watershed Association in 2008 as Environmental Restoration Program Manager. He continues his programmatic duties with Blue Water Baltimore, focusing his time on volunteer- and staff-based water quality monitoring and pollution detection projects and the Adopt-a-Stream Program. His hobbies include fishing, mycology, landscaping, and loud music. David earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from Bard College.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x108
Email: dflores@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Dana Puzey, Program Manager, Residential Water Audit Program
At Blue Water Baltimore, Dana works on reducing runoff from residential properties. She is a life long environmental advocate with a particular interest in preserving and restoring aquatic ecosystems. Outside of work, Dana spends time paddling in her kayak, tending to her vegetable garden, and exploring the great outdoors. Dana earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Elon University and an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x106
Email: dpuzey@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Lauren Poor, Clean Water Community Organizer
Lauren joined Blue Water Baltimore in February of 2011. As the Clean Water Community Organizer, Lauren teams up with community leaders to plan and implement neighborhood-level projects that improve water quality and quality of life. Lauren earned a B.A. in Psychology from Emory University and her M.P.H. from UNC-Chapel Hill. In her free time, Lauren enjoys singing and playing the ukulele.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x109
Email: lpoor@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Debra Lenik, Volunteer Manager
Debra joined Blue Water Baltimore in September of 2010. She serves as the Volunteer Manager, planning and implementing tree plantings, stream cleanups, volunteer trainings and a myriad of other projects to help achieve BWB’s mission of clean water. She enjoys swimming, ping pong, and playing cards, and shares a small house on Abell with four people and two rambunctious cats. Debra earned a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Goucher College.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x100
Email: dlenik@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Jennifer Kirschnick, Office Administrator
Jennifer recently joined Blue Water Baltimore as the new Office Administrator. She believes in the vision of a swim- able,fish-able Baltimore harbor, and enjoys supporting BWB’s efforts toward that goal. A Maryland native, she enjoys many outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, skiing and hiking. Jennifer earned a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and a B.L.A. (Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture) from Univ. of MD, College Park.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x107
Email: jkirschnick@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Jill Cecil, Finance and Administrative Manager
Jill is our newly anointed Finance and Administrative Manager, and she’s excited about the opportunity to recalibrate her abacus and bean counter on behalf of Blue Water Baltimore. Jill has a solid background in finance for nonprofits with over fourteen years experience managing business finances, seven years of which have been for non-profits. When not eyeball deep in significant digits, Jill spends time with her small rescue dog (creatively named “Little Dog”) and her husband (in that order).
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x102
Email: jcecil@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Emily Grant, Development Manager
As Development Manager, Emily supports Blue Water Baltimore’s mission by raising funds through individual and corporate contributions, foundation support and events that engage the community and increase awareness for the organization. She has worked for nonprofits in Baltimore for the past 10 years and is thrilled by the positive change Blue Water Baltimore is making in the area.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x101
Email: egrant@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Bryant Smith, Landscape and Workforce Development Manager
Bryant Smith, aka “Spoon,” manages landscaping and workforce development operations for Blue Water Baltimore. Prior to joining the team he served a total of eight years with the Parks & People Foundation providing support for their community forestry and watershed restoration programs. In addition to his community-based work in Baltimore City, Bryant served 10 years with the United States Forest Service as a Social Science Technician for the Northern Research Station. Bryant is a licensed aircraft pilot and enjoys the view of the Chesapeake Bay from above.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x104
Email: bsmith@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Katie Dix, Program Coordinator
Katie works with Baltimore residents to reduce storm water runoff from their properties in order to improve the health of our environment and communities. Prior to joining the Blue Water team, Katie served as the CGRN Coordinator at the Parks & People Foundation. As a volunteer Master Gardener, she continues to grow and garden with community and school gardens throughout the City. She is a Baltimore native who enjoys cooking, vermiculture (worm composting), social sports leagues and local history. Katie earned a B.A. in Political Science and American Studies from UMBC.
Phone: 410-254-1577 x113
Email: kdix@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Erin McVey, Program Coordinator
Erin joined Blue Water Baltimore in Spring 
2013. Erin serves as Program Coordinator for the rain barrel program and assists with the Water Audit Program. Originally from Delaware, Erin has recently moved to Baltimore with her fiancé and is looking forward to getting to know the area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, going to the beach, expanding her knowledge of vegetable gardening, and reading a good book. Although a Phillies fan at heart, she’s open to becoming an Orioles fan and having two favorite baseball teams. Erin earned her B.S. in Natural Resource Management and an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x106
Email: emcvey@bluewaterbaltimore.org
Lisa DeGuire, Chesapeake Conservation Corps
Lisa is the 2012-2013 Chesapeake Conservation Corps member for Blue Water Baltimore. Having grown up in Michigan, the Great Lake State, clean water has long been a high priority of hers. Lisa earned a B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College. She has a background in ecology research and elementary environmental education. In her free time, Lisa enjoys traveling, dancing, and eating good food with good company.
Phone: (410) 254-1577 x100
Email: ldeguire@bluewaterbaltimore.org