Sustainable Sandhills is proud of its Board of Directors. We recruit our Board members from many aspects of society to ensure both personal and professional diversity. This group of consummate professionals includes educators, professors, engineers, conservationists, entrepreneurs and advisors – all of whom have unique talents but a common desire to create resilient environmental, economic and social resources for current and future generations in the Sandhills of North Carolina.
DENISE RENFRO
BOARD CHAIR AND GEOPOLITICAL NERD
Denise is the Director of the Academy of Green Technology at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, which was designated a Green Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.
She joined the Board in November 2019 and was elected Chair in September 2021.
Her professional interests include energy, clean water, grant writing and resilience.
Denise’s husband Adam works for the North Carolina Virtual Public School. They have two children, Taylor and Arjay. Arjay is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he is studying public policy and economics.
When she is not molding young minds, Denise enjoys exercising, fiddling around in her garden and reading non-fiction.
DANIEL DIMARIA
BOARD TREASURER (EMERITUS)
Daniel is an attorney with Legal Aid of NC.
He joined the Board in 2014.
His sustainability interests include green space, water and air quality and local foods.
Daniel and his wife Adrienne enjoy traveling, local foods, local art and spending time with their dog Ruby. Daniel also enjoys surfing and ice skating.
Daniel says that he loves his adopted home of Fayetteville – the second best place in the world (behind his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) – and is proud to be a Board member of Sustainable Sandhills.
HEATHER BROWN
BOARD MEMBER
Heather is the Senior Strategic Sustainability Planner for the United States Army Reserve.
She joined the Board in July 2019.
She is a lover of dirt (our natural environment), noise (great music) and fillers (scrumptious nibbles). She is contracted to the Federal government and enjoys supporting our military communities.
Heather and her husband, Chris, have been married for over 20 years and love to visit new places whenever they can. They are parents to two silly rescue pups – Gabe, a lovable Red Nose Pit Bull, and Laney, a German Short-Haired Pointer.
Heather’s sustainability interests include local food, pollinators, the arts and homelessness.
DR. JUAN MA
BOARD MEMBER
Juan (pronounced Joo-AHN) is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at Fayetteville State University.
She joined the Board in July 2019.
RODNEY MEDLEY
BOARD MEMBER AND HONEY ALCHEMIST
Rodney is a proud veteran of the United States Army and co-owner of Beehive Yourself NC.
He joined the Board in March 2020.
With his “Queen Bee” Rebekah, Rodney creates honeys and honey-infused sweet treats that are renowned for their unique array of flavors such as Ginger, Smoke Pepper Bomb and Apple Brandy. You can find Beehive Yourself products at shops and farmers markets across central North Carolina, including Sustainable Sandhills markets. Beehive Yourself NC also offers Host-A-Hive services, as well as beekeeping education and outreach programs. Visit their website HERE.
Rodney is also a dedicated community advocate and activist who works to improve the quality of life in the Sandhills.
STEPHEN ZINNERMAN
BOARD MEMBER
Stephen Zinnerman works as CEO of The Coffee Enthusiast, a company that focuses on small batch coffee roasting, developing real relationships with farmers, research, education, and growing with all involved in the coffee supply chain. Visit their website HERE.
LTC CHRISTOPHER STANTON
BOARD MEMBER
LTC Stanton is the Environmental Branch Chief G 3/5/7 Engineers, U.S. Army Reserve Command.
He joined the Board in January 2023.
ILIA SMIRNOV
BOARD MEMBER
Ilia is the Owner of Cape Fear River Adventures in Lillington NC.
He joined the Board in January 2023
LEE SPRUIL
BOARD MEMBER
Lee is a member of Blue Ridge Power
He joined the Board in January 2023.
AMY ELLIOT
BOARD MEMBER
Amy is a teacher at Douglas Byrd High School.
She joined the Board in January 2023.
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Jon Parsons
YOUTH BOARD
Our Youth Board is for young adults from 18 to 30 years of age who want to witness the governance of a non-profit organization first-hand and to contribute to local sustainability causes. Many of our youth board members have go on to achieve much professional success, and we are proud to assist them on their career paths.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Shahadah Muhammad
Engineering Student, North Carolina A&T University