Meet the Candidates
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Diane DeYonkerDiane DeYonker, a Lucas SWCD Board Supervisor since 2014, has a strong background in Environmental Education starting as a summer camp counselor for 13 years including at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. This led to working as an Outdoor Educator for Toledo Public Schools at Camp Storer for 2 years. She continued working for Toledo Public Schools in their Career Tech Program as a Natural Resource Instructor, teaching high school juniors and seniors who were preparing for careers in the environmental field. Since retiring, she has been active volunteering as a rare plant monitor for Metroparks Toledo and as an Education Chair for Oak Openings Wild Ones. During the summer, she runs camps with the Toledo Zoo. Diane and her husband live west of Whitehouse on 15 acres, which they manage to encourage native plant and animal diversity.
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Ben EiselBen Eisel has been associated with a rural lifestyle and the farming sector for the entirety of his career. He is currently employed by GEM, Inc. as the Manager of Business Development. Ben is a lifelong resident of Lucas County and currently resides in Village of Berkey with his wife Erica and their six children. Over the last 15 years, he has built up their family farm which includes organic production, high tunnel greenhouses, and most recently, the conversion of 15 acres of conventional tillage to sustainable grazing to support their cattle operation. One of Ben’s proud accomplishments is being a founder and active member of the Assumption Education Foundation supporting the rural education of youth in the outdoors. Ben’s interest in the Lucas SWCD Board is that of sustainability with a first-hand desire to leave his environment in better shape than he has found it for his kids and the rest of Lucas County.
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Tom SchoenTom Schoen has served as a Lucas SWCD Board Supervisor since 2014. He has been transforming landscapes into works of art and function for the last 40 years. As a plantsman, he is passionate about the environment, creating natural and native gardens, and educating our community on the benefits of a healthy ecosystem and personal environments. As the owner of Landscape Construction Inc. and Vintage Gardens, Tom employed and mentored many successful men and women in our community and throughout the country. Tom has volunteered his time and talent to many local organizations including the Toledo Botanical Garden Metropark, Unruly Arts, NRAC District 12, and the Clean Ohio Fund-Green Space Conservation Program. He has also dedicated time to Toledo GROWs, Metroparks Toledo, Rain Garden Initiative, Sacred Grounds Toledo, and Owens Community College where he taught landscape design. Tom and his wife, Lori, have lived in Maumee for the past 35 years.
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