Staff
Chief Conservation Officer & Interim Executive Director
Director of Human Resources
Elizabeth comes to the league with a tenured career in human resources in the restaurant and healthcare fields. She has lived in many places (including other countries) but has always loved the beach and is excited to call Charleston her home. She holds 2 bachelor’s degrees from Duquesne University in International Business and Spanish and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Kansas State University. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family doing any outdoor activity from camping, mountain biking, and hiking to just hanging out at the beach….
Chief Advancement Officer
Mike Worley joined the Coastal Conservation League at the end of 2024. With over 25 years of experience in fundraising and advancement, he has an extraordinary track record of designing collaborative initiatives, implementing giving strategies, and inspiring volunteers and boards to exceed ambitious goals. Mike’s expertise encompasses major gift solicitations, capital campaigns, annual funds, alumni and parent engagement, event planning, and board management. Throughout his impressive career, he has demonstrated an ability to transform fundraising programs, expand donor bases, and secure record-breaking contributions….
Accountant
Synovia Deas serves as Accountant for the Coastal Conservation League, bringing more than 30 years of experience across finance and accounting roles in the aerospace, healthcare, automotive, nonprofit, and education sectors….
Director of Government Relations
Yarley joined the Coastal Conservation League at the end of 2024. Prior to joining the Conservation League, she worked for the public and nonprofit sectors, where she sharpened her government relations and lobbying skills advocating for issues in the fields of public health, public education, and higher education. She double majored in political science and environmental geography while at the University of South Carolina and obtained her graduate degree from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Although she resides in the Midlands, she is a Summerville native and always looks for an excuse to visit the Lowcountry and smell the salt air….
Director of GrowFood Carolina
Hailing from Newberry, SC, Benton is a proud USC graduate, veteran of the music industry, WWOOFer in Costa Rica, and the hardest working man in local produce. Benton is committed to supporting local growers and providing high quality products to our customers….
Sales & Marketing Director
Anna is a Charleston native who joined GrowFood Carolina in 2021, and recently took on the role of Sales and Marketing Director. As a foodie who wanted to make a positive impact through her career, Anna found the perfect fit at GrowFood in 2021! She works with chefs and restaurants, top accounts in Charleston and Savannah, and with foodhub partners. One of her favorite parts of working at GrowFood is seeing the complete life cycle of food – from warehouse delivery to the restaurant plate!…
GrowFood Carolina Project Coordinator
Austin is originally from Hagerstown, Maryland. He attended Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a decade in the Outer Banks and working with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms in Hawaii, he moved to Charleston to further his culinary aspirations….
Farm Outreach Manager
Becca holds a B.A. in Political Science from Clemson University. After graduation, she returned to her family’s farm, Watsonia Farms, to manage its food safety program before accepting a position at GrowFood Carolina. Outside of work, she likes to try new restaurants in town, play tennis and go to the beach….
North Coast Office Director
Becky grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida and was fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty. Unfortunately, like South Carolina, the diverse wildlife and habitats were constantly threatened by unrestrained development. Her childhood in Florida, young adulthood in North Carolina, and previous environmental advocacy work in Richmond with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters have instilled a limitless appreciation for the wild wonders of the Southeast and a desire to preserve them for future generations. Becky is working to build a more resilient South Carolina and to protect our natural resources….
South Coast Office Project Manager
Bob Crimian serves as South Coast Office Project Manager for the Coastal Conservation League, bringing more than a decade of experience in coastal policy, ocean conservation, and environmental compliance….
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Brett supports our mission by ensuring that fresh, local produce reaches partners throughout the region—from Charlotte to Savannah. …
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Moving from Grand Rapids, MI, to Mount Pleasant, SC, Chris Maksymowski joins the Conservation League with the goal of contributing to the community in a meaningful way. …
Driver & Warehouse Associate
When called in, Danielle strengthens our mission by assisting with the movement of fresh, farm-to-table produce across our Charlotte-to-Savannah delivery range….
Procurement & Food Safety Coordinator
David Carter is the Procurement & Food Safety Coordinator for GrowFood Carolina, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industries….
Financial Operations Coordinator
Deirdre is originally from Lexington, South Carolina and has lived in the Charleston area since the mid-1990s. She grew up working with local farmers through her family’s grocery business in Pelion and is happy to be able to continue to support local farmers and businesses through GrowFood Carolina. …
Energy & Climate Project Coordinator
Dylan made his move to Charleston in 2023 to pursue his master’s in both environmental and sustainable sciences and public administration….
Grants Manager
Raised in Greenville, SC, Emily brings her passion for nature, community, and wellness to her position as Grants Manager. She was drawn to the Conservation League for its multifaceted approach to environmental conservation. In her position, Emily focuses on maintaining and expanding the grant pipeline to support the Conservation League’s work. She also collaborates with staff to create grant proposals, renew existing applications, maintain relationships with grant contacts, and report on previously funded programs. She is excited to create a measurable impact in the surrounding communities. Emily graduated from the College of Charleston in 2019 and enjoys spending her free time making music and hanging out with her husband, James, and their three fur babies – Lincoln, Bella, and Lily….
South Coast Office Director
Grant McClure is from Charleston, South Carolina. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wofford College in English & Environmental Studies. He received his Master’s Degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Resources from Clemson in May 2022. Grant currently resides in Beaufort, SC where he enjoys fly fishing and spending time outside with his family….
Driver & Warehouse Associate
As needed, Jajuan contributes to our mission by helping deliver fresh, local produce throughout the region—from Charlotte to Savannah….
Annual Giving & Stewardship Manager
Jane Horetsky serves as the Annual Giving & Stewardship Manager, bringing a deep passion for preserving the coast, wildlife, and natural places….
Sales & Marketing Account Manager
Jenna moved to Charleston in 2023, but she’s originally from the foothills of North Georgia. …
Accounting Specialist
Mary Lovett Pye joins the Coastal Conservation League with a deep-rooted appreciation for the natural world and a lifelong belief that it is our greatest teacher….
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Matt helps us fulfill our mission by delivering fresh, farm-to-table produce from Charlotte, NC to Savannah, GA….
Sales & Marketing Account Manager
Born and raised right here in the Lowcountry, MJ comes to GrowFood Carolina in hopes to help bridge the gap between restaurants and growers. Having worked with GrowFood for a decade as a chef, she is no stranger to the mission of putting fresh and local produce on tables. Now as Sales and Marketing Account Manager, she will build relationships with chefs, guide them in purchasing, and grow new accounts. In her own words, MJ is ready to take the apron off and try a new approach to making a difference in the community through food. She looks forward to seeing the people and story behind produce while on farm visits, and connecting chefs with seasonal products to optimize their menus….
Conservation Project Coordinator
After growing up in Durham, North Carolina, Noelle graduated from Appalachian State University in 2024 with degrees in Sustainable Development and Political Science….
Sales & Marketing Account Manager
Paige Sylvestre, Sales & Marketing Account Manager at GrowFood Carolina is committed to strengthening the local food system by serving businesses that value fresh, seasonal, and responsibly sourced ingredients….
Warehouse Operations Manager
Paul is originally from upstate South Carolina but has called Charleston home since 2001. His deep passion for connecting people and food led him to work in the food and beverage industry and grocery retail for over 20 years before joining the team at GrowFood Carolina. In his spare time, Paul enjoys listening to and playing music, exploring new recipes and restaurants, and spending time with his family….
Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
Renee was born and raised in Southern California and recently moved to South Carolina with her husband and two young sons. Renee’s background evolved with the ever-changing economy as she went from obtaining her Associate’s Degree in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, and working in architectural firms, to working in law firms, to a quality control manufacturing company, to a local municipality. Renee and her husband wanted to move closer to family and have a slower-paced lifestyle, and they love South Carolina. Renee wanted to join the Coastal Conservation League because she loves South Carolina and appreciates the League’s mission. Renee is proud to tell her family where she is employed and looks forward to a long future here with the League. In their free time, Renee and her family enjoy spending quality time together, the outdoors, and exploring. Renee especially enjoys cooking, reading and loves animals….
Senior Advisor for Conservation Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership
Robert H. Boyles, Jr., ensures that the Coastal Conservation League’s efforts are rooted in the best available science and policy to address the most pressing environmental threats….
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Shawn Parks, a proud resident of Charleston, is deeply rooted in the maritime industry, contributing to both the port and GrowFood Carolina. …
Office Administrator
Energy & Climate Program Director
Taylor Allred recently hit the ground running in his new role as Energy & Climate Program Director, starting on Earth Day 2024, and looks forward to serving as an advocate for state and local policies that help to advance a clean energy transition as quickly and equitably as possible….
Communities & Transportation Project Manager
Torrey joined the Conservation League after attending law school here in Charleston, where she became involved in local environmental and land use advocacy. She moved here from Washington DC, to engage in more purpose-based work, after five years in the music industry. Her major duties as Communities and Transportation Project Manager include zoning, and urban issues such as bicycle and pedestrian access and other multimodal transit. She is most excited about pushing for common sense zoning reform and better multimodal transit. Torrey brings education from George Washington University where she majored in American Studies, with a focus on Critical Race Theory. After university, she worked the operations for a legacy punk venue, marketing for a venue group, and played in a touring band called BRNDA. In her spare time, she loves to knit and sew, especially using secondhand natural fabrics and yarn. She lives downtown with her husband, daughter, and lazy hound mix….