Sarah Visser

Assistant Branch Chief, Land Protection, Georgia EPD

Sarah Visser joined Georgia's Environmental Protection Division as Assistant Chief of the Land Protection Branch in June 2017. The Branch regulates environmental operations including the generation, disposal, and cleanup of solid and hazardous wastes, scrap tires, underground storage tanks, and surface mining. Prior to EPD, Sarah served as the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation's first Executive Director, guiding the transition from a state program to a nonprofit and supporting the work of 80 local affiliates. Sarah has served on several boards and is a 2016 graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Georgia. Sarah loves books, the outdoors, live music, and exploring the Atlanta Beltline with her daughter.

Phil LaRue

President, Friends of Chattahoochee Bend

An outdoor enthusiast from a young age, Phil spent many hours hunting, fishing, and riding horses on his grandparents' 400 acres outside Greensboro, Georgia. In 2009 he attended the inaugural planning meeting for the Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park and immediately began volunteering. He was elected to the board in 2016 and elected President in December 2018. Retiring from a 36-year Air Force Reserve career gave Phil the ability to devote more time to volunteering. He assists with Junior Ranger Camp, First Day Hikes, Geocaching 101, and leads the popular Hike and Paddle program. Additionally, Phil is the leader of the Newnan Hiking Club and is certified in Wildland Firefighting, assisting DNR's Resource Management Team with prescribed burns.

Marcy Williams

Past President, Friends of Cloudland Canyon

Marcy's career has spanned a variety of interests, including over twenty years in retail grocery and consumer goods with emphasis on merchandising, operations, and marketing, followed by experience in the nonprofit sector as marketing and media relations director for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Marcy and her husband George then formed their own consulting firm, Chooch & Warbucks. Since moving to Cloudland, Georgia, she has been active with her homeowners' association, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, and has accumulated over 600 hours of volunteer time with Friends of Cloudland Canyon State Park. She served as President of that organization in 2017 and remains on its board of directors.

Matt Donaldson

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Durden Banking Company

A native of Twin City, Georgia, Matt attended East Georgia State College and graduated Cum Laude with an Associate in Science in Business Administration, then earned his BBA in Finance from Georgia Southern University in May 2013. He has also graduated from Georgia Banking School at the University of Georgia and completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2019. Matt started with Durden Banking Company in 2006 and currently serves as CFO. He is President of the Friends of George L. Smith State Park, Mayor of Twin City, and was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to the Georgia Board of Education for the 12th Congressional District in 2021.

Tom Johnson

Accenture, Retired

Tom recently retired from Accenture as Managing Director, where he was responsible for a worldwide organization of IT professionals developing and supporting software solutions for Fortune 500 clients, with over 34 years of experience in the industry. Tom and his wife Wanda helped launch the Friends of Red Top Mountain state park in 2001 and have been avid supporters of national, state, and local parks for many years. They are avid outdoors enthusiasts and spend as much time as possible enjoying and photographing nature. Tom is also a member of the Georgia Press Association and photographs sporting events in the Atlanta area.

Heather Daniel

President & CEO, Explore Newnan-Coweta

Bringing more than 20 years of hospitality and tourism experience, Heather has a broad perspective and passion for problem-solving. After graduating with a degree in Mass Communications from Georgia College & State University, she built a career spanning hospitality PR, convention & visitors bureaus, a national hotel owners association, and an award-winning design agency. Heather currently serves on both the Georgia Association of CVBs and Georgia Sports Association boards and is part of the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College Curriculum Committee. She has been President & CEO of Explore Newnan-Coweta since July 2021.

Megan Freeman

Recycling and Waste Diversion Analyst, Cox Enterprises

Megan Freeman earned a BA in Environmental Science and English from Emory University in 2022. An interest in how individuals can make a difference in large-scale efforts and a life-long love of the outdoors led her to pursue sustainability after graduation. Currently, Megan is a Recycling and Waste Diversion Analyst at Cox Enterprises and supports Cox's journey to Zero Waste to Landfill. A Gainesville native, Megan enjoys trekking through the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains and exploring North Georgia's wide array of antique shops.

Burt Weerts

Retired Director, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1965, Burt moved to Georgia to work as a Regional Planner for the Oconee Area Planning Development Commission. In 1972 he accepted a position with the Bureau of State Planning and Community Affairs, helping produce State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans. After Governor Jimmy Carter reorganized state government, he moved to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, eventually heading the Funding Unit responsible for administering the federal Land and Water Conservation Funding Program. He later became State Parks Director in 1995, during which time he founded the Friends of Georgia State Parks, before retiring in 2002.

Laura Williams

Senior Counsel for Environmental, Health & Safety, Koch, Inc.

Laura Williams is an environmental, health, and safety attorney who has spent her career navigating both the public and private sectors. At Koch, Inc., she works hands-on with sites on everything from permitting to compliance to environmental stewardship. In her immediately preceding role, Laura was the Director of Legal Services at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, advising on environmental law, legislation, rulemaking, and agency operations. She has also served as Chief Counsel for Watershed and Environmental at the City of Atlanta. Laura is a past chair of the Atlanta Bar Association's Environmental Section and holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia.

Walter Rabon

Commissioner, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Walter Rabon serves as an ex-officio member of the board. He first began his career with DNR in 1993 as a Conservation Ranger (now referred to as Game Warden) and worked his way up through the Law Enforcement Division, serving as a Major before stepping into the Deputy Commissioner role. Rabon earned a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Brenau University and a master's degree from Columbus State University. He and his wife have three sons and reside in Jasper County.