Our Staff & Team Members
Join Our TeamBen Porkolab
President / CEO
As the Conservation Education Coordinator, Ben supervises the education department at the Elk Country Visitor. Ben earned his elementary teaching d...
Brandi Hanes
Administrative Director
Brandi is KECA’s Administrative Director and has been with us 14 years. She is known for streamlining administrative processes and improving cross-...
Jeff Gauger
Director of Development
Jeff Gauger, Rimersburg, PA is a Founding Life Member and has served the organization as a volunteer and Business Consultant since KECA’s inception...
Steve Mecca
Maintenance Coordinator
Steve Mecca is the Maintenance Coordinator here at the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Visitors Center. He ran his own business in the customer servi...
Jill Chiodo
Guest Relations Supervisor
Jill plays a crucial role in ensuring a positive experience for guests. She is also in charge of the Elk Mountain Homestead rental as well as all r...
Morgan Lovenduski
Director of Marketing and Communications
Morgan Lovenduski serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. Born and raised in Benezette, Morgan ha...
Krista Meyer
Accounting Clerk
Krista joined the KECA team in February 2024 as the Accounting Clerk. A lifelong resident of Elk Country, she has a deep appreciation for the area’...
Jennifer Weld
Director of Public Relations
Jennifer was born and raised in Clearfield County and has been visiting Elk Country for many years. Jennifer brings more than 20 years of marketing...
Don Schnars
Field Director
Don served 8 years in the US Navy as a Mine Sweep Electrical Technician and is a veteran of Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He has been a resident ...
Todd Taylor
Field Director
Todd Taylor was born and raised in Elk County. He graduated from St. Marys Area High School in 2019 and continued his education to Clarion Universi...
Jacob Pistner
Conservation Education Director
Jacob Pistner serves as Conservation Education Coordinator for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, bringing more than a decade of experience in educ...
Emma Walters
Conservation Education Specialist
Though originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Emma has found a new home in the PA Wilds. Always passionate about the outdoors; she grew up hu...
Dakota Malmgren
Conservation Education Technician
Growing up in the countryside outside of Falls creek, Pennsylvania Dakota quickly fell in love with the great outdoors. As an avid hiker, hunter, f...
Russell Wheeler
Maintenence
Although Russell Wheeler grew up near Gettysburg, his love for the outdoors was always centered in Pennsylvania’s Elk Country. As a boy he spent a ...
Our Board Members
Charles Rosamilia
Chairman
Charles Rosamilia, Jr. was born in Renova, Pennsylvania and received his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and his Juris Doctorate, Law ...
Janet Nyce
Vice Chair
Janet and Jim have been hunting together for 57 years. They have traveled all over the country, Canada, Wales, Argentina, etc. They have had Britta...
Wayne McConahy
Secretary
Wayne McConahy was born in Altoona, PA, and graduated from Penn State with a BS and MS degrees in Industrial Arts / Technology Education. Wayne and...
David Wise
Treasurer
David joined the Board in 2024 after retiring from 40 years of program management and finance. He received his BS in Agricultural Economics followe...
Scott Dunkleburger
Board
Scott earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Shippensburg University in Public Administration. Scott retired after a 35-year career with t...
Tim Lucas
Board
Tim is an educator, consultant, and author. For the first 30 years of his career he was in public education teaching elementary school, grades 6-12...
Josiah Jones
Board
Josiah Jones is a servant-minded leader and experienced economic development professional dedicated to strengthening communities throughout Central...
Tina Sabados
Board
I have been a member of Keystone Elk Country Alliance since 2016. I became a life member and have served the organization as Co-Treasurer for the A...
Ron Alcorn
Board
Ron served as KECA’s founding Board Vice-Chairman from 2010 thru 2017 and founded the Brokenstraw Chapter in 2010. His entire working career of 44 ...
Matt Smith
Board
Matt is the President of David A. Smith Printing, Inc., a family-owned printing and promotional goods company in Harrisburg, PA. The company serves...