Contact: Chris Miller, President
The Piedmont Environmental Council
cmiller@pecva.org; 540-347-2334, x7100

WARRENTON, VA. (April 3, 2025) – The Piedmont Environmental Council Board of Directors has approved three new members this year: Jane Fisher of Charlottesville; Andrew Gutowski of Culpeper County; and Kemp Hill of Madison County.

“We are excited to have three such great members of the community join the PEC board, who share our values and vision. Drawing upon their particular strengths, passions, and experiences, Jane, Andrew and Kemp have each demonstrated a strong commitment to the conservation and restoration of natural and historic resources and to better, more sustainable communities,” said PEC President Chris Miller.

Jane Fisher, of Charlottesville, joins the PEC board with a lifetime of love working to protect lands and waters. Growing up on a family farm, spending most days outside and learning all about nature, she says she had no choice but to be a steward of the land. Fisher has also served as a consultant for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Zambia, Uganda, and Republic of Congo in Africa, writing business plans for national parks, an experience she describes as “incredibly difficult but amazing.” She also was honored to be a member of the board of trustees for the Virginia chapter of The Nature Conservancy for 12 years, is currently very involved with the Southern Environmental Law Center and for nine years has been a member of its “younger” group, Leaders Council (formerly Next30).

Fisher lives in Charlottesville with her children, Sophia and Will Bowles. “Nothing is better than being outside with them,” she said. “Virginia’s beautiful farms, forests and rivers are under more threat than ever before and I’m happy to join PEC in their mission on this! It feels good to be part of the effort.”

Andrew Gutowski, of Culpeper County, serves on the board of directors of The Museum of Culpeper and is a member of the management team for the new Culpeper Battlefields State Park. The registered architect and member of the American Institute of Architects also chairs
the Town of Culpeper’s Historic District Architectural Review Board. Gutowski has been a leader in the fight against the unregulated growth of data centers in Culpeper and is a regular guest columnist for the Culpeper Star-Exponent on topics related to data centers, land planning and local history. He serves as genealogist for his family, which has lived continuously in Culpeper County region since the early 1700s. Gutowski attended Culpeper County Public Schools and Woodberry Forest School in Madison County before pursuing degrees in architecture and real estate from the University of Virginia, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

“Having lived and worked around the world, I have found few places as beautiful as the Virginia Piedmont. Yet its beautiful landscape and charming towns are endangered as never before. I am honored to join the PEC team and be part of its work to balance growth, conservation, and historic preservation,” he said

Kemp P. Hill is co-owner and operator of Graves Mill Farm and co-owner of Rapidan River Ranch, both in Madison County. Rapidan River Ranch is a grass-fed cow/calf operation that employs farming and grazing practices that support natural beauty, healthy soil, clean water and sustainable practices. Graves Mill Farm helps fulfill Hill’s ministry supporting nonprofit organizations through hospitality in environmental spaces. Hill is also an interpreter at James Madison’s Montpelier, a co-founder of Charlottesville’s Christ Episcopal Church Preschool, and co-director of Christ Episcopal Church Children’s Ministry. She holds degrees in history and economics from the University of Virginia.

“I am looking forward to being part of such a qualified and dedicated team. I especially appreciate the way in which the PEC seeks to understand and balance the varied constituencies that are involved with any conservation work,” Hill said.

#####

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.