Heike Biller - Administrative Director


Heike Biller joined Catawba Lands Conservancy early in 2007 as Program and Office Coordinator. She brings many years of office experience to the job as well as a love and enthusiasm for environmental issues. Her hobbies and interests include hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, crafts and sewing. Heike earned her bachelor's degree in geography at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She is excited to be working for an organization that promotes such a great cause. Being a mother of two small children, Heike encourages parents to teach their own children about the importance of protecting and conserving our environment.

Scott Bodien, GISP - Technology Director


A native of Washington state, Scott joined the Conservancy in 2003. He grew up hiking, biking, mountaineering and cross-country skiing in the Puget Sound Region. He graduated from the University of Washington with double degrees in forest management and history. After working for the Seattle Boy Scout Council, Scott came to Duke University to pursue a master's degree in forestry where he became interested in GIS and broader environmental issues. Scott, a triathlete, recently completed his third Ironman distance event, but really enjoys marathons and nice bike rides in the countryside. He enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and running with his mixed Basenji dog Winston, whom he rescued in 2001 while completing an internship in Charleston.

Kenni Brooks - Finance Director


Kenni earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1988. She has worked for the CIA and the State of Virginia's Department of Accounts. She and her husband moved to Charlotte in 1995. Kenni joined the Conservancy in 1999. She also plays violin in the Queens University Community Orchestra.

Ann Hayes Browning - Carolina Thread Trail Project Director


Ann comes to Catawba Lands Conservancy as Carolina Thread Trail Project Director from a 23 year career at Bank of America. She was a founding partner of the bank’s private equity investment arm, Banc of America Capital Investors, and spent the last half of her career making and managing private equity investments. She served on a number of corporate boards on behalf of the bank. Ann is a Davidson College graduate and currently serves on Davidson’s Board of Trustees. She received an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler School at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Davis J. Cable - Executive Director


Dave has served as Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy since June 2004. Prior to joining the Conservancy, he was with Wachovia Securities, where he was director of real estate research and corporate and investment banking. He was president of Allen & Cable, a real estate appraisal and consulting company in Vermont before moving to Charlotte in 1998. Accomplishments at the Conservancy under his leadership include the establishment of The Catawba Society, the strategic re-tooling of staff and volunteer leadership and the continued preservation of local land in the face of dynamic development. Dave provides leadership to the Carolina Thread Trail, 15-county collaboration with The Foundation For The Carolinas and Duke Energy. Dave has been instrumental in bringing regional leaders to the table to collaborate on the framework for the project before its early November, 2007 launch to the community. He received a master's degree in natural resource planning from the University of Vermont and a bachelor's degree in geology and environmental studies from Bowdoin College. He holds both the Members of the Appraisal Institute (MAI) and Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) designations.

Matt Card - Land Protection Coordinator


Growing up on the outskirts of Atlanta, Matt developed an appreciation for the environment and an awareness of land protection issues. He graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Geography. After graduating and completing his internship with the City of Asheville, City Development Office, Matt moved to Salt Lake City. While in Salt Lake, he worked for Black Diamond Equipment manufacturing and testing climbing, back country skiing and mountaineering equipment. In 2004 he headed back east to be a planner for Henderson County. Planning for one of the fastest growing counties in Western North Carolina has given Matt a wide range of planning experience. He spends his free time enjoying the outdoors with his family and two dogs.

Lindsey Dunevant - Capital Resources Director


Lindsey joined the Catawba Lands Conservancy in the newly-created position of Capital Resource Director for the Carolina Thread Trail. He will support The Thread communities by identifying local, state and federal funding opportunities. Lindsey earned a degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from NC State University and an MBA from Pfeiffer University. He served as the Director of Albemarle Parks and Recreation for more than 20 years and has been a Stanly County Commissioner since 2006. He is also a standing board member for the Land Trust for Central North Carolina. Dunevant was active in the initial discovery process leading up to the launch of The Thread and has served on the organization’s Regional Advisory Council since the project’s inception in 2007. In his spare time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with his wife, Sherry, and two adult children, Catherine and Charles.

Randi Gates - Carolina Thread Trail Community Coordinator


Randi joins Catawba Lands Conservancy as one of two Community Coordinators responsible for the daily activities surrounding the success of the Carolina Thread Trail. Randi graduated Summa Cum Laude from Appalachian State University where she concentrated her studies in Geography and Community and Regional Planning. Upon graduation, she returned to her hometown of Gastonia to work as a Transportation Planner for the City of Gastonia and served as staff to the Gaston Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. During this time, she participated on the Steering Committee for Gaston County’s planning grant for the Carolina Thread Trail. In her last position, Randi gained much experience in preparing grant proposals and applications to secure funding on the local, state, and federal levels for the City of Gastonia’s greenway system, and hopes to pass along that knowledge to local communities participating in The Thread.

Travis Morehead, AICP - Carolina Thread Trail Community Coordinator


Travis joins Catawba Lands Conservancy as one of two Community Coordinators responsible for the daily activities surrounding the success of the Carolina Thread Trail. Travis is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he concentrated his studies in Town, City, and County Management. Upon graduation from Appalachian, Travis was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in United States Army, where he served as an Infantry Officer with the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon leaving active duty, he has been employed by both local governments and a private planning firm in the Triangle region, of North Carolina. In his last position, Travis served as the Assistant Director of Planning and Entitlements and was responsible for representing citizens, property owners, developers, and local governments in land use related matters across the state. Travis enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer and two sons Matthew and Connor, as well archery and bowhunting.

RoxAnne Smith - Associate Director


RoxAnne joins the Conservancy as the Associate Director from the Kansas Land Trust where she served as the Executive Director from Aug. 2001-Mar. 2008. RoxAnne earned a joint degree from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a J.D. She practiced real estate and land use law at the firm of Lathrop & Gage L.C. in Kansas City, Missouri before joining KLT in 2001. In her work with KLT, she participated in statewide and regional collaborative land conservation efforts, including the preservation of Flint Hills native tallgrass prairie in Kansas through USDA/NRCS Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program; Agricultural buffer lands through the Army Compatible Use Buffer Program; Open-space preservation in Douglas County through the ECO² Commission; and watershed preservation in the Blue River Watershed of Johnson County, Kansas. RoxAnne loves spending time outdoors and is looking forward to the more moderate climate and beautiful landscape of North Carolina. She enjoys reading, crocheting, hiking and playing racquet ball.

Brenna Sowder - Communications Coordinator


Brenna joined the organization in 2010 as Communications Coordinator for both Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Carolina Thread Trail. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in writing and communications, and went on to complete a master’s degree in human relations while living overseas in Naples, Italy. Most recently, she was director of public relations for a marketing agency in Chapel Hill, and has a diverse professional background that includes marine conservation, education, events planning and journalism. She is inspired by the diverse perspectives involved in conservation issues, and is passionate about sharing those stories. In her free time, Brenna enjoys cooking and eating local food, reading and exploring local trails and waterways with her husband.

Dean Thompson - Development and Communications Director


Dean joined the organization in 2009 in the newly-created position of Development and Communications Director for both Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Carolina Thread Trail. She brings a wealth of branding, public relations, advertising and business development experience after many years as a marketing professional in the furniture industry. She began her career with Henredon Furniture Industries and has held marketing positions with Drexel Heritage and Martha Stewart The Good Bed. Dean earned a degree in journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill as well as a design degree from Meredith College. A native of Morganton, she grew up hiking and paddling in the mountains of western North Carolina. In her spare time, Dean enjoys backpacking, canoeing, skiing, reading and travel.

Sharon Wilson - Land Stewardship Director


A native of Charlotte, Sharon holds a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University in Park and Recreation Management. Sharon has more than 15 years experience in natural resource management. She began her career as a park ranger for Mecklenburg County's Division of Ranger Services and focused on environmental education and resource management/protection. Sharon accepted a position with the U.S. Forest Service in 1992 and turned her attention to the Chattooga River Ecosystem Management Project. During her career, Sharon has gained experience in timber management, wildlife and fisheries protection and enhancement, and wildland fire suppression. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys mountain biking and camping with her family.