KCC Board of Directors

Gerry Seavo James (KCC President)

Gerry is the founder of the Explore Kentucky Initiative(EKI), a Black-owned and led outdoor oriented social enterprise dedicated to inspiring Kentuckians and visitors to the Commonwealth to engage in an active lifestyle fueled by outdoor adventure while preserving the natural resources of the Commonwealth's 120 counties. Since 2013 he has helped to further the field of environmental advocacy, outdoor recreation, citizen stewardship,& cultural preservation across Kentucky and beyond through EKI and as past steering committee member for the Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange. His work has found him embedded in many communities and counties for various initiatives that include outdoor recreational events, conservation projects, and more. He is an avid paddler who is certified by the American Canoe Association in the Stand-Up Paddleboard and Canoe disciplines, and winner of an ACA National Leadership Award. He is also a storyteller who uses photography, cinematography, and journalism to tell stories about the landscapes and people he encounters in his travels across the Commonwealth and beyond. In 2017, he was awarded by Lexonomics as the most impactful artist in Bluegrass.

Rachel Young (KCC Secretary)
Rachel is 26 years old and from Frankfort, KY but now lives in Lexington where she went to college at the University of Kentucky and received a BS in Animal Science. She worked for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife in the education division, from 2017 until 2021, where she educated children and adults of all ages on the importance of Kentucky's wildlife and resources. She has worked in the pet, horticulture, wildlife, and technology industries. She now works in marketing and in UX Design for an app based out of Lexington, helping her clients with marketing their businesses. Her outdoor hobbies include kayaking, hiking, exploring Kentucky's natural areas, traveling and visiting other state's State and National Parks, and searching for Kentucky's native birds, amphibians, and reptiles species across the state.

Joyce Bender
Joyce managed the Kentucky State Nature Preserves for 31 years and retired in 2017.  She continues to assist with natural areas management and to educate the public about being good stewards.  During Joyce’s career, she reviewed legislation and reported on potential impacts for natural resources relating to her agency mission.  “I was always grateful for KCC’s work to protect Kentucky’s natural heritage and continue to appreciate the efforts undertaken by this vital organization.  I am honored to be considered for board membership.

Emma Coakley
Emma is an avid outdoorsperson who spends most free time on the local trails she helps maintain in the area. She has degrees in Anthropology, Political Science, and Sustainable Systems from the University of Louisville. She is on the path to attaining an MSc in Sustainability & Ecology from the Centre for Alternative Technology. She has worked on farms, in forests, at bike shops, and on environmental campaigns while growing an ever-increasing love for the wilder & greener side of life. Emma now works at ECTC as Records Office staff and Inclusivity, Diversity, & Equity Advisory Committee Chair. When time permits, she champions anti-racism and LGBTQ+ success in off-road sports.

Colin McAllister

Although his professional focus is on cybersecurity, Colin McAllister’s true passion lies in environmental conservation. His awareness of environmental issues deepened during his time living in Hawaii, where he became an avid free-diver. Swimming alongside sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins, he experienced firsthand the delicate beauty of marine ecosystems, further fueling his advocacy for sustainable practices. Growing up in Las Vegas—a city at the forefront of water conservation and solar energy—also shaped his commitment to promoting electric vehicles and reducing waste. His goal is to minimize ecological footprints through technological innovation and public education. 

Colin cherishes the moments he can breathe clean air while playing the tuba or enjoy fresh water during a long run. His commitment to preserving the quality of our air and water is a driving force behind his dedication to environmental conservation. 

Colin holds a BA in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a BA in Computer Science from Auburn University. He is also advancing his expertise in cybersecurity through graduate studies at the SANS Technology Institute. Previously, he served as a musician in the U.S. Army and worked as a professional wedding photographer. 

As a member of the Kentucky Conservation Committee, Colin is determined to use his technical skills and passion for education to enhance environmental awareness and action.

Sherry Jones

Sherry came to Richmond, Ky., by way of South Carolina.As a child, she loved going on family outings to the Blue Ridge Mountains and visiting South Carolina State Parks. Her involvement with the Sierra Club deepened her love of the outdoors and was the impetus for hiking, backpacking, camping, and backcountry adventures. 

“I’ve been fortunate to enjoy adventures throughout the U.S.A.,” she says. “My passion is to share Kentucky’s amazing trails (and other outdoor pursuits) with other Afros, making sure we enjoy safe and nonjudgmental spaces.”

When not on the trails, Sherry teaches at Eastern Kentucky University, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise, and Sport Science. She also says she enjoys “planning my next adventure with my partner and fur-baby. We love exploring, from sight-seeing to learning about ancestral, sacred, and indigenous homelands.”

Emmanuel Fields
Emmanuel Fields is a dedicated conservationist with over two decades of experience in agricultural and wilderness area management. As the Director of Stewardship for Bluegrass Land Conservancy, he oversees nearly 35,000 acres of conserved farmland in Kentucky, ensuring their preservation and sustainable management.
An avid hiker and explorer, Emmanuel's passion for the outdoors has profoundly shaped his career and personal pursuits. With degrees in Anthropology and Sustainability, he combines a deep understanding of human-environment interactions with practical strategies for land conservation.
Outside of his professional role, Emmanuel is an award-winning photographer and videographer. His current documentary project highlights the experiences of Kentucky's Black farmers, aiming to raise awareness about their contributions to the state's agricultural heritage and to advocate for their recognition and support.

Anna Marie Pavlik Rosen
Anna Marie Pavlik Rosen is an artist and mechanical engineer, retired from 3M who moved to Frankfort from Austin, Texas ten years ago. Growing concern for the survival of natural areas and a need to understand the relationship of people to their environment have encouraged Anna Marie to explore nature related themes in her art. Anna Marie recently completed a four-year term on the board of directors of Frankfort’s municipal utility, the Frankfort Plant Board.

Rachel Norton
Rachel Norton is a member of the Mountain Association (formerly the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development) and has been with the organization since 2016 and works on issues related to commercial energy efficiency and has recently become a Certified Energy Manager, including expanding her knowledge on solar installations, to support businesses, non-profits and local governments as they work to save money and build resilience. Rachel is a certified Building Performance Analyst and is currently building her own energy auditing business outside of work. Committed to creating a healthier, more sustainable global environment, Rachel serves her local community through elected leadership roles in her professional community, and participating in volunteer work around the state involving energy efficiency and solar. As one example, Rachel is co-facilitator for the Advancing Equity & Opportunity (AEO) Collaborative. Additionally, her most recent project, Solarize Lexington, doubled the amount of solar panels on homes in her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr. Benjamin Knoll (Immediate Past President)
Dr. Benjamin Knoll is the John Marshall Harlan Associate Professor of Politics at Centre College in Danville. He earned an B.A. in political science from Utah State University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Iowa with a specialization in public opinion and voting behavior. He is also currently an M.Div. student at Bexley Seabury Seminary. Dr. Knoll’s research focuses on the connection between religion and politics and he recently coauthored the academic book She Preached the Word: Women’s Ordination in Modern America (Oxford, 2018). More information about Dr. Knoll’s academic research is available on his website at www.informationknoll.com and he can be followed on Twitter at @benjaminknoll28.

Sarah Lynn Cunningham
(Past President)
Ms. Cunningham has the technical problem solving abilities of an engineer, the communication skills of an educator, the creativity of an artist and the passion of an advocate. She holds a Master of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, with a major in environmental education and a minor in environmental history, Bachelor of Applied Science, Environmental Engineering both from the University of Louisville. She is a certified Professional Engineer and is a graduate of the Kentucky Certified Non-formal Environmental Educator Program. Ms. Cunningham is founder and director of the Louisville Climate Action Network.

William Martin (Director Emeritus)Bill is the former Chairman of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund and resides in Lexington. He was formerly Commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources. Bill is Professor Emeritus at Eastern Kentucky University, where he was Director of the Division of Natural Areas and Professor of Biology, from 1969 until 2005. Bill is a charter member of KCC, having been there at the inception of the group, and is currently serving as Director Emeritus.