About Us

Hechl, Gertraud

Hechl, Gertraud

Gertraud Hechl joined PEC staff in the summer of 2019. Gertraud has a broad background in the arts and business and serves on several non-profit boards. She holds a degree in strategic management from Wirtschaftsuniversität, Vienna, where she also studied modern languages.

Kenny, Hugh

Multimedia Communications Specialist
(540) 347-2334 x7024
[email protected]

hugh kenny pec

Hugh Kenny joined the communications team at PEC in September 2019. He graduated from Bates College earlier in 2019 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in history. During college, he spent his summers guiding long-distance bike trips in the US, Canada, and Europe. His time pedaling across varied landscapes taught him the value of looking at places, even familiar ones, from new and novel viewpoints.

At PEC, Hugh creates photos and videos that highlight the staff’s work and the value of the landscapes that the organization protects. He uses video to give viewers a new perspective on places they may pass by every day, display the incredible beauty of the Piedmont, and build support for PEC’s initiatives.

Born and raised in New York City, Hugh lives in Warrenton, VA and spends his free time riding his bike on Fauquier County’s endless miles of beautiful gravel roads.

Maggi Blomstrom

Rappahannock-Rapidan Conservation Initiative Coordinator
(540) 347-2334 ext. 7067
[email protected]

Maggi Blomstrom

Maggi Blomstrom rejoined PEC’s staff in November 2019 as the Rappahannock-Rapidan Conservation Initiative Coordinator — a multi-faceted initiative to promote land conservation, water quality improvements, natural habitat protection and restoration, and public access throughout the Upper Rappahannock watershed.

Maggi served previously as PEC’s field representative for southern Fauquier and Culpeper counties and as land conservation and stewardship coordinator. She brings years of experience and enthusiasm engaging with landowners, volunteers, communities, and partners to advance environmental stewardship and land management.

Maggi grew up in Fauquier County. She holds a B.A. in Geography and Urban and Regional Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and a M.A. in Community Development and Planning from Clark University in Massachusetts.