Board
Dwight Kempf Joins Board
Dwight Kempf has joined the board of the Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy in 2024 for a
New Board Members, Officers for 2024
At its regular November reorganizational meeting, on November 18, 2023, the MAKC had a number
Trevor Cicchinelli
Trevor has been caving for over a year. His first cave was Carlsbad caverns, when
Katie Schmid
Katie Schmid is a licensed professional geologist who works for the Pennsylvania Geological Survey. She
Chris Z. Hill
Chris Z. Hill, a retired Geologist, graduated from the University of Wyoming, earning a bachelor
Aron Schmid Joins Board
(term expires 2025) Aron Schmid has been a caver for over 25 years concentrating in the
New Board Officers
At the November 2021 quarterly board meeting of MAKC, Curt Harler of Cleveland Grotto was
Rick Smith
Board Member (Term Expires 2025) • McClure Cave Preserve Manager Rick Smith has always had
Curt Harler
(term expires 2024) Board Member, NSS 22735 CL (FE) Curt Harler, a long time member
Board Elections Held
On Saturday, November 16, 2019, three new faces joined the MAKC Board, one of whom
Andrea Gillis
Board Member (term expires 2023) Andrea Gillis rejoined the board in 2019 to fill out
Hope Brooks
Vice Chairman, Board Member (Term Expires 2025) Hope Brooks joined the MAKC board in November
Ryan Maurer
Chairman, Board member • (Term expires 2024) • Fayette County Cave Survey Ryan Maurer joined
Johnny Motto
(term expires 2023) Treasurer Johnny is a lifelong resident of Westmoreland county. He graduated from
Kerry Speelman
• NSS 47049RE FE• Franklin County Grotto (term expires 2023) Kerry Speelman is a licensed
Walt Hamm
(term expires 2024) NSS #24554LF FE • Board Member • Pittsburgh Grotto • MAKC Life
Phil Gowaty
Board Member • NSS 49291 (term expires 2022) • Harlansburg Cave Preserve Manager Phil started
Paul Damon Jr.
NSS 17557 RL • Loyalhanna Grotto (term expires 2023) Paul Damon, Jr., of Monroeville was
Carl Pierce
(term expires 2024) Secretary • NSS 33921RL • Pittsburgh Grotto • Loyalhanna Grotto • West
Preserve Managers and Other Volunteers
Rick Smith
Board Member (Term Expires 2025) • McClure Cave Preserve Manager Rick Smith has always had
Dennis Melko
NSS 36693 • Pittsburgh, PA • Barbara Schomer Preserve Manager • Rupert Cave Trip Leader
Sunni Reitmyer
• NSS 64280 • Rupert Cave Trip Leader Sunni Reitmyer is a native to Pennsylvania
Paul Damon, Sr.
• NSS 2939LF FE PH • Archivist • Pittsburgh Grotto Paul Damon, Sr., is the
Mike Schirato
• NSS 52043RE (term expires 2022) Mike Schirato is a licensed professional geologist and is
