Meet the POWR Board
Richard Sheldon joined POWR’s Board in July 2020. Rich joined Willis Towers Watson in January 2004. He is currently responsible for managing insurance carrier relations for several of the company’s largest trading partners. Rich has over 30 years of environmental consulting, and insurance underwriting, management, and brokerage experience. He has served as a project manager performing field investigations of potential Superfund sites under the direction of the USEPA, and performed and managed Phase I and II environmental site investigations for various industries.
Rich is a part of the Greater-Philadelphia regional WTW Workplace Engagement network, serving as a mentor for the Community Outreach subcommittee, and is trained internally to conduct WTW’s Unconscious Bias and Inclusion & Diversity workshops across offices in North America. Rich received a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science and Geology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in Environmental Health.
Cosima Wiese is a Professor of Biology at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. In addition to teaching in Biology and Environmental Studies, she conducts ongoing water quality research with students at nearby Lake Louise in Franklin Township. In collaboration with the Lehman Sanctuary, she has also developed the “The Language of Water” program, which uses remote telemetry to continually monitor water quality and engages with local schools to use those data and visits to the Sanctuary as learning opportunities for students.
Ben Franek is an Associate Professor at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Bloomsburg in the Physical and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department. He also serves as President of the Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions.
Anne Daymut attended Chatham University, Indiana University, Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and Escoffier Culinary Academy for various degrees, certificates, and programs. In her early career, Anne was an OSM*Americorps/VISTA and then a County Conservation District Watershed Specialist. She is currently the Watershed Coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, serving the 24 counties of the Bituminous Coal Region and advocating for the programs and policies around abandoned mine reclamation. She serves on boards for multiple watershed organizations, conservancies, and rail-trail associations.
Brenda Costa has served as the Executive Director of French Creek Valley Conservancy, an accredited land trust in northwest PA, since 2016.Brenda earned her BS in Geology from Allegheny College and her MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Penn State. She serves on the Policy Advisory Committee for WeConserve PA and the Environmental Advisory Committee for the City of Meadville.
As a licensed professional geologist in Pennsylvania, Brenda previously worked as a geologic consultant for more than 15 years, specializing in groundwater exploration and development and
environmental remediation. Brenda also worked as a geologic consultant analyzing oil and gas
reservoirs in the Gulf Coast, North Sea, and Norwegian Sea.
Jane Rowan is a wetland ecologist and restoration specialist. She provides services related to wetlands and water resources and Clean Water Act related compliance services to clients in the private and public sectors. She has been nationally recognized for advancing policies for the integrated management of water resources.
Sam Carroll attended Penn State where he received BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering with a focus on working with waterways and the environment. His graduate research involved studying the stability and effectiveness of stream channel designs constructed at bridges for Maryland State Highway Administration. After graduation he wanted to find a way to bring his experiences in State College home to benefit his native Washington County. Since 2018 Sam has enjoyed working for a local civil/municipal engineering consultant, Harshman CE Group, and volunteering with the Washington County Watershed Alliance, where he has served as President since 2020. At work and in his volunteer life, Sam’s focus includes managing Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Programs, developing land and water trails, and enhancing local parks.
Christopher Crockett has over 25 years of experience in the water, stormwater, and wastewater industry. Chris is responsible for environmental compliance, safety, and sustainability for Aqua America and for Peoples Natural Gas under Essential Utilities. Chris was formerly the Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department where he led groundbreaking programs in infrastructure and water quality including Green Cities Clean. Chris has been a board member of several environmental organizations including the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and Water Resource Association of the Delaware River Basin. Chris received a BS in Civil Engineering, an MS in Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering, all from Drexel University. Chris personal goal is to make his life’s work helping ensure our natural resources are preserved or restored to a better state for future generations to come.
Patrick Starr serves as Executive Vice President of PEC. He leads the southeast regional office located in Center City Philadelphia and coordinates several statewide initiatives. These include planning and implementing multi-purpose trails and water trails, promoting and implementing green stormwater infrastructure, coordinating education and outreach to community-based watershed organizations, and piloting a statewide Outdoor Towns initiative. He currently serves as President of the POWR Board.
Janet Sweeney is the Director of PEC’s Northeast office, where she has worked for nine years. Sweeney manages projects and programs of various size, scope and budget, including the Community Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Program, the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape Program, Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, and most recently Keep Northeastern Pennsylvania Beautiful. Prior to this role she was Vice President of the Community and Government Services Division of the Northeastern PA Alliance where she managed the PENNDOT Rural Transportation Planning Work Program. She currently serves as Secretary of the POWR Board.
