Dr. Mercedes Tibbits (Secretary) is a Professor of Spanish language, literature and culture at Howard University, in Washington, D.C. At Howard University, she has dedicated great effort to the service of faculty and students. She has been intensely involved in the work of the Faculty Senate for many years, serving as Secretary of the Senate, and as member of the Council and of the Steering Committee of the Senate since 1994. She is the Coordinator of the Spanish Section in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Mercedes is a long-standing member of the Friends of the Cacapon River, and has served as Secretary for over 15 years. Mercedes was born in Barcelona, Spain, and has resided in the USA since 1970, when she married Paul.

George Constantz – After earning B.A. (Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1969) and Ph.D. (Zoology, Arizona State University, 1976) degrees, I worked as an ecologist. My main interests were in fishes, streams, and watersheds, and in organizations that steward these resources. Basic research studies addressed the life history patterns of livebearing fishes, parental care behaviors of darters, and an inventory of the freshwater fishes of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. Applied environmental projects included quantifying the effects of a nuclear electric plant on the Savannah River’s fish community, assembling the ecological baselines of two Appalachian rivers, and preparing and implementing a strategic plan for managing West Virginia’s watersheds. I also invested two decades helping grassroots watershed associations build scientific and organizational capacities.

Since retiring from formal employment in 2008 I’ve focused on writing. I create reader-friendly natural history stories based on basic research findings in the field of evolutionary ecology. I’m currently writing a book about Appalachian birds. My wife, Nancy Ailes, and I have lived in the Cacapon River watershed for 40 years. Our daughter, Leah, grew up swimming and paddling the Cacapon River, graduated from Hampshire High School, and lives, with her husband, Ivan, in Somerville, Massachusetts. I play drums in Rain Crow, a local band within the genre of vintage rock-and roll.

Jeff DuVal spent the past 22 years working in the Public Works field mainly for the City of Alexandria where he most recently served as the Deputy Director of Public Works. He brings to the organization years of experience in stormwater management and wastewater treatment, as well as extensive coordination with developers. In his spare time he loves paddling, floating, and fly fishing the lower end of the Cacapon River. Jeff recently left the public sector and relocated to the Berkeley Springs area where he and his wife are opening a retreat overlooking the Potomac River.

Zachary Norris life-long love of the outdoors began in childhood as he explored his local woodlands and streams. Born and raised in Frederick, Maryland, his appreciation for nature led him to the Cacapon River. Today, he lives close to our river in Great Cacapon with his lovely girlfriend Melanie and their two dogs.  After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Zach worked for the Maryland Park Service for almost a decade. Currently, he serves as the Watershed Best Management Practices Specialist for the Cacapon Institute, where he is instrumental in helping to keep our watershed forested. Through his work with both the Cacapon Institute and the Friends of the Cacapon River, Zach hopes to help maintain and protect our safe, swimmable, fishable, and drinkable water for future generations.  Zach is always looking for a reason to get outdoors. Much of his free time is spent fly fishing rivers near and far, canoeing on the Cacapon River, and backpacking in our amazing, natural surroundings.

Alex Teixeira is an avid adventurer and explorer with experience in some of the planet’s most fragile of environments. His time spent living and working in Antarctica and adjacent to tropical rainforests and their ecosystems have reinforced his commitment to a cleaner environment for future generations. He and his wife Amanda are starting an outdoor store in Berkeley Springs WV from where they will share their passion for the stewardship of the outdoors. Alex also brings 30 years of construction management experience to the board.

Paul Tibbits was inducted into Federal Senior Executive Service in February 2004 in Department of Defense (DoD), where he served as Director of the Business Management and Modernization Program until September 2005, and then as Deputy Director of Military Health System (MHS) Office of Transformation. In December 2006, Dr. Tibbits came to VA to serve as Deputy Chief Information Officer for Enterprise Development. He is currently Executive Director, Office of Technical Integration. Previously, he served as Executive Director, Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration; Program Executive Officer, Financial Management Business Transformation; and Deputy Chief Information Officer for Architecture, Strategy, and Design.

Dr. Tibbits served as Program Executive Officer for DoD medical IT, supporting MHS. He led implementation of two worldwide electronic medical record systems in DOD. Dr. Tibbits led operational test and evaluation for one EHR.

Dr. Tibbits served on active duty in US Navy Medical Corps, retiring with rank of Captain (1975-2001). He was the Commanding Officer, Navy Medical Information Management Center and CIO Navy Medicine, 1995 – 1998. Dr. Tibbits is Board-certified in Internal Medicine & Cardiology; qualified in Undersea Medicine, and is a Defense Acquisition Professional. He is former Associate Editor, American Journal of Cardiology.

Dr. Tibbits has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Cacapon River for over 15 years; is married to Mercedes Tibbits, PhD, is a native of New Orleans, La. Mercedes and Paul have 2 children and four grandchildren.

Amanda Hollins-Teixeira (Treasurer) has been a life long lover of the outdoors.  Having grown up near the Chesapeake Bay, Amanda enjoys the water and spends much time on the paddleboard, fly fishing or hiking the trails.   She strongly believes in giving back to the outdoor community.  As a Finance professional and Management Consultant, she brings over 20 years experience to the Treasurer role.

Peter Wood retired in 2021 to Hampshire County after 30 years with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A native of Maryland, his first trip to West Virginia when he was 16 camping with family friends invoked his love for the mountains, lakes and rivers of West Virginia. He attended Potomac State College and West Virginia University graduating with degrees in Forestry and Entomology. He purchased land in 2002 in The Crossings, a 1,200-acre community in a horseshoe of the Cacapon River. He built a cabin in 2004 so he could spend his weekends and vacations exploring the rivers edge and nearby forest with his dogs. Now living full time in his West Virginia home he spends his time gardening, hiking, and volunteering to shine the light on our beautiful West Virginia

Richie Crim works in the Information Technology field for West Virginia University.  Richie has spent his entire life in the Cacapon area, growing up in nearby Frederick County and living in Hampshire County.  He owns a historic 1835 home on the Cacapon River in Hampshire County near Capon Bridge.  He enjoys fishing, canoeing/kayaking, hiking, and all things outdoors.

Colin Scott and his wife Anne LaFond have had a property on Kilgore Rd, Largent for 20 years. Based in Alexandria, Virginia they both work in international development but get to the Cacapon as often as possible to enjoy its many opportunities for recreation, or simply watch its wonders. Colin works globally in environmental and social risk management but values the critical importance of local action like Friends of the Cacapon as the bedrock for effective safeguards. Colin and Anne have two children in their twenties who have grown up with the Cacapon, and to whom they want to leave a cleaner, sustainable watershed.