board

James Wolff: President

James Wolff works for Purdue Extension as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator and County Extension Director in Allen County. He has served as a board member of the SJRWI since 2015. James is a graduate of Purdue University (B.S. in Agricultural Education) and Oklahoma State University (M.S. in Agricultural Communications). His focus areas within Extension include small and beginning farmers, soil health, farmers markets, pesticide safety, and water quality. He also completed the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy in 2021.

Therese Shiffler: Vice President

Therese retired after 32 years of dedicated service as a speech-language pathologist in Michigan's public schools. She and her husband have settled on a small lake in northeastern Indiana, a place close to her heart since childhood. Since retirement, Therese has become actively involved in multiple local and state associations, where she advocates for preserving healthy and sustainable lakes through environmental initiatives and educational outreach. Therese is also involved in her faith community and various local charitable endeavors. Traveling is another source of joy for her, providing cherished moments together with her husband to connect with their daughters and explore new destinations.

Jim Shiffler: Secretary

Jim is a retiree who is devoted to making a meaningful impact in his community. His passion for contributing to local initiatives is evident in his active involvement with his lake's watershed association and his church's mission programs. Jim's love for his family is apparent, as he and his spouse frequently visit their daughters and take delight in exploring the unique attractions of their neighborhoods together. With over 40 years of brand, management, and strategic planning experience in the foodservice industry, Jim built an impressive career at Gordon Food Service, Inc. He brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and expertise to his endeavors.

Jon Rondot: Treasurer

Doug Fasick

Graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering. In 2001, he began his career at the City of Fort Wayne’s City Utilities Division as a Program Manager of Facilities where he was responsible for capital improvement projects for the water and wastewater treatment facilities. He is currently the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Fort Wayne and responsible for the City’s Energy, Environmental, Sustainability, and Climate Action Plan Initiatives. He is a member of the American Water Works Association and serves on the Energy Steering Committee for the Water Environmental Federation. He served as Executive Director of the St. Joseph Watershed Initiative for seven years and is still an active board member.

Alexis Hathaway

Growing up in rural Wells County, Alexis understands rivers and lakes' vital role in protecting farmland and creating sustainable communities.  She’s dedicated to navigating the difficulties of maintaining stormwater health through grant writing, volunteer opportunities, and educating the public.  Alexis is an Environmental Planner for the Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council and has a passion for the wetlands, which raised her.

Vickie Lamb

Vickie L. Lamb is a RN, Certified Case Manager (CCM) with MedPartners in Ft Wayne, Indiana. Vickie currently works in managed health care providing utilization review and collaborative case management services, including personalized healthcare navigation Concierge Services to specific benefit plans. With 35 plus years in multiple health care specialties, as a critical thinker, caregiver, educator, and patient advocate, positive quality of life outcomes have continued to be important to her.

Vickie is a native of Cincinnati, the Ohio River Valley, who relocated to Indiana 23 years ago and raised her family here. She currently resides in Steuben County, land of 101 lakes, and quickly became a member of the Lakes Council. Her mission is to protect and support clean, safe waterways while promoting public policies and public health.

As a new member to the SJRWI team, Vickie is looking forward to upcoming planning and projects. As a Certified Ballroom Dance Instructor, she always puts her best foot forward.

Nellie Peffley

Nellie has been employed with DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District as the District Director since January 2021. Prior to this role, she served at the Allen County DOH Environmental Services Division for two years. Before that, she worked at an Environmental Consulting Company for six years.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Saint Francis. During her studies, Nellie completed internships with Little River Wetlands Project and with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Nellie is a dedicated environmentalist whose passion lies in the preservation of natural resources and the improvement of our environment for the well-being of future generations.

Outside of work, Nellie enjoys baking, running, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Ben Taylor

Ben Taylor has lived in the Fort Wayne area since 2018. He has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology from Butler University as well as a MS in Forestry and Natural Resources from Purdue University. He works as the Project Manager at ACRES Land Trust coordinating conservation projects and acquisitions for the organization. He currently serves on the Cedar Creek Watershed Steering Committee, the Allen County CISMA steering committee, and is excited to join SJRWI as a board member. He is passionate about protecting natural spaces and conserving natural resources for future generations. In his free time he enjoys fly fishing, cycling, and traveling to see the world's natural wonders with his wife, Allison.

Samantha Theisen

Samantha is the current Sustainability Coordinator at Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Environmental Resources Center. She has lived in the Fort Wayne area as of 2019 and has since been engaged in an ever-increasing number of environmental sustainability initiatives throughout the community. Her experience spans various university, non-profit, and local government settings through a wide array of project topics such as strategic planning, environmental education, event planning, bicycle and pedestrian route planning, nature-based recreation, and water quality monitoring - just to name a few.

Her passion for the environment extends beyond just her professional endeavors as she can be found promoting environmental stewardship through many outlets in her free time. This ranges from activities like observing the seasons change at local parks and preserves, kayaking the three rivers, cycling the Rivergreenway, or cooking a zero-waste meal at home.