At YRK’s Annual Meeting last month, seven new board members were voted onto the Board of Directors. You can learn more about them below.
Rabih (Robby) Abou-Rizk, Retired Dentist, President, Blue Ridge Chapter, Trout Unlimited, Winston-Salem, NC
I have practiced dentistry for 30 years, then sold my practice in 2016 and retired. I am married, have two grown kids and live in Winston-Salem. The outdoors has been a big part of my life. I love to fish, hike and paddle. I have been a member of Trout Unlimited for almost 30 years. The last ten years have been part of the board of our Blue Ridge TU Chapter serving in different capacities. I have been involved with the conservation committee, working to restore trout streams, monitoring different parameters and doing stream cleanups.
I have been the co-chair of our fundraising committee, worked on the “Trout in the Classroom” committee that involves education in high schools and served as a volunteer in many of our projects. I have been the president of the chapter for the last four years and my role has been focused on advocacy for our streams, working with regulators and networking with many nonprofit organizations to protect our habitat and environment.
Education:
BS Biology, 1983 University of Charleston, Charleston, WV
Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1987 West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Nicky Blakeley Black, Owner, Row Co River Adventures, Miller Davis Agency, Salisbury, NC
Nicky Black began volunteering with Yadkin Riverkeeper in August of 2020. She has worked in environmental conservation and owns Row Co River Adventures. She is the Business Development Specialist for Miller Davis Agency, a marketing and public relations firm in Salisbury, NC. Nicky serves on the executive committee for both Rowan County Creek Week and for the Rowan County Young Professionals. She is a graduate from the Catawba College Ketner School of Business. She has a background in event planning and media marketing. Nicky is an outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys camping, hiking, and kayaking. She is an ACA Kayak Instructor and a Paddlesports Safety Facilitator. Nicky is also a Leave No Trace Educator and is extremely passionate about sharing the beauty of the great outdoors with others. “I grew up exploring the rivers and natural areas here in North Carolina. People don’t realize the beauty and recreational opportunities in our backyard. I am excited to use my background and experience to bring awareness to Yadkin Riverkeeper’s efforts along the Yadkin River.”
Jeff Faullin, Retired Elementary School Principal, Winston-Salem, NC
Jeff Faullin is a recently retired school principal and former science teacher committed to lifelong learning and public education. Jeff fostered his interest in environmental science in college receiving a bachelor’s of science degree in Ecology, Ethology and Evolution from the University of Illinois. He began his career working as an interpretive naturalist at the Salt Fork River Forest Preserve in Homer Lake, Illinois. This experience led to a master’s degree in science education from Florida Technology Institute.
Jeff spent 14 years teaching science and math in Florida and North Carolina including 9 years at R.J. Reynolds High School. He recently retired from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools after serving in school administration for 20 years. Currently, Jeff serves as an adjunct instructor at Wake Forest University and enjoys listening to music, both recorded and live.
David Holton, Retired Banker, New London, NC (Badin Lake)
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and headed south to attend High Point College, now High Point University, graduating in 1970 with a business degree. I was in the U.S. Navy Reserves and on Active Duty from 1969-1975. After being discharged from the U.S. Navy, I began my banking career with Wachovia Bank in Durham, NC and retired from Wachovia with 31 years of service.
During my time at Wachovia, I spent about 10 years in the consumer bank as a branch manager, in product development, marketing and supervising 120 branches in Georgia. Another 10 years was spent in corporate and international banking working with large companies and Money Center banks. My family and I spent 2 ½ years in Kuwait where I served as an advisor to a bank owned by the Emir of Kuwait. The last 10 years was spent as the President and CEO of Wachovia Insurance Services, a subsidiary of the bank.
After retiring from the bank, I became part owner of a health and wellness software start-up company which was sold in five years. I then was a consultant to a Reinsurance company in Charlotte for 3 years before finally retiring to the mountains of Bryson City in Western NC in 2008.
In 2020, my wife, Pam, and I moved to Badin Lake (Uwharrie Point community) to be closer to our family, who all live in Winston-Salem, NC. We love lake living and enjoy boating and all lake activities. Our daughter and her husband have three children. Our son and his wife have two children. We are active in our community and church.
My interest in joining the Board of Yadkin Riverkeeper is that I recently volunteered to replace a community member as the liaison to both Yadkin Riverkeeper and Cube Hydro. Over the past two years, I have been working with a team of community members, to help increase the attention that Cube Hydro and NCDEQ give to the algae problem on our lake and surrounding lakes. Our lakes, streams and rivers are to be cherished and preserved for our drinking water, wildlife and recreation.
Adam Lowe, Executive Director, Watershed Now
Adam Lowe grew up on a 60-acre family farm bordering the Yadkin River in Wilkes County. Once a tobacco farm, it had transitioned into animals including cattle. After high school in nearby Yadkin County, Adam attended Appalachian State University and received a degree in Education and went on to teach middle school science, social studies, and math. His childhood experiences, including stories of agrarian life and agriculture led him, with his wife Mecca, to also start a small farming business where they have sold seasonal produce and eggs directly to customers for over 15 years. Recently they have expanded into hay, cattle, and forest products. They currently help manage over 120 acres of land in Surry and Wilkes Counties. Over the last several years they have started a Friends of Big Elkin Creek program to help connect the community and landowners with education about stewardship of the land, as well as programs that assist in this venture. Currently Adam is serving as part-time executive director of Watershed Now with goals of further implementing the Friends of Big Elkin Creek program.
Colleen McDaniel, Owner/Designer, The Inspired Garden, Inc., Co-President, Protect Badin Lake, Badin, NC
Once I moved to Badin over 3 years ago, I was introduced to the Yadkin Riverkeeper by way of the community group Protect Badin Lake (PBL). I joined PBL nearly at its inception and have been working alongside YRK to affect the issues surrounding Alcoa’s shuttered aluminum smelting plant and the unresolved surface and groundwater contamination problems. I volunteered to assist YRK with the Swim Guide sampling when that was needed in Badin Lake. The paddles that I’ve participated in have been really enjoyable. The provided lunches were wonderful and I loved meeting the other folks who come out to learn more about the river first hand and support YRK.
It’s been a meaningful experience to learn how the Riverkeepers of our State work tirelessly to improve the health of our rivers and raise awareness. YRK continuously finds innovative ways to engage citizens, educational institutions, and elected officials as well as landowners, helping all to discover best practices and equitable outcomes around responsible stewardship of our natural resources. If chosen to participate as a Board Member of the Yadkin Riverkeeper, I would embrace the opportunity to focus my energy and enthusiasm on the mission of the group. My internal compass is totally aligned with the Riverkeeper and the Yadkin basin is now my home – it would be a natural fit!
Additional info:
Artist & Educator
Civic and community volunteer
Business owner in Sustainable Landscape and Agriculture
Builder of Natural Play Spaces for Children & Grownups
NC Licensed Contractor - General Building and Landscape Contractor
NC Certified Stormwater Inspector
Co-president of Protect Badin Lake
Lane Wallace, Chief Investment Officer, Sumter Investments, Salisbury, NC
"I grew up with my feet in Grants Creek, it was my favorite playground. I am so excited to give back to the environment that has nourished me and makes me who I am today in more ways than one!" I care about creating healthy, sustainable businesses, developments, and buildings, while reducing impact on the planet and our natural resources. My expertise varies from project development for solar and residential/commercial real estate projects to institutional sustainability & energy consulting. I have a strong background in real estate marketing and finance. I am also passionate about helping communities and schools with educational and environmental objectives. Children and the environment are our future.
Education:
BS in Business Administration and BA in Public Policy Analysis, UNC-Chapel Hill
Masters of Environmental Management, Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, 2014