Kevin Kask, Land Use Field Representative, Fauquier County
Just over six months ago, Kevin Kask joined PEC and jumped right into the heart of a number of local land use issues. He has been crucial in supporting grassroots advocacy around impending, and oftentimes controversial, development proposals, like data centers in Prince William County’s rural area.
“I like being a big-picture kind of guy, looking how a project or proposal would have an impact,” he says, which fits in perfectly with PEC’s regional approach. Kevin holds a Master’s degree in urban affairs, but first studied music and geology at the undergraduate level. “I actually found out about urban planning through the show Parks and Recreation,” Kevin said, adding that he soon found himself intrigued by its interdisciplinary scope. “The environmental issues, but also the social and economic components,” he said.
Through his graduate research and other roles, Kevin started connecting the dots between the legal foundations of urban planning and its real-life implications on communities. “Planning and zoning is where the rubber hits the road and where we can start addressing social and environmental problems,” he says.
In a region like ours, with increased development activity accompanying new population growth and demographic changes, Kevin’s efforts to encourage better land use decisions at the local level—while keeping national and regional implications in mind—have become all the more important. Living in the sprawling suburbs of Northern Virginia, he certainly brings lived experiences to the work that lies ahead here in the Piedmont.
Nora Seilheimer, Director of Advancement
“It is such a gift to live in this special part of the world, and I feel fortunate to be part of an effective organization that can draw on 50 years of experience to ensure that this region’s future is vibrant, beautiful and sustainable,” says Nora Seilheimer, who joined PEC this March as Director of Advancement. She will be providing leadership and strategic direction for PEC’s fundraising priorities and activities.
Like many of our supporters, Nora found her way to PEC through community involvement with conservation and land use issues in Albemarle County. She helped organize the campaign that stopped the Charlottesville bypass in 2012. In addition to that experience, Nora also brings 20 years of success in grassroots organizing, developing fundraising programs and advising nonprofits, and eight years on PEC’s Board of Directors.
Nora is excited to have a more direct role in building community among PEC’s supporters. “Throughout my career, it has been very rewarding to work with donors who are committed to making the world a better place through their philanthropy. PEC’s loyal members and donors are committed to conserving the Piedmont and I look forward to working with them at this critical time,” she says.
Nora lives with her family on their conserved southern Albemarle farm and will be working out of PEC’s office in Charlottesville, Virginia.
This letter appeared in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s member newsletter, The Piedmont View. If you’d like to become a PEC member or renew your membership, please visit pecva.org/join.