History

The idea of forming a national association for conservation district employees was born in 1984

How NCDEA came to be

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An idea is born

The idea of forming a national employees association was born in February 1984 in the basement of the Hilton Hotel in Denver, Colorado.
1992
1991
1990
1989
1987
1984

* Key moments in the creation of NCDEA

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Vote to form NCDEA

Conservation district employees were surveyed in 1989. A committee voted in 1990 to form an employees association that would be affiliated with NACD.
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Bylaws adopted

A committee of seven regional representatives voted to adopt the NCDEA bylaws at the NACD annual meeting in Reno, Nevada.
Download the history of NCDEA

Since the formation of NCDEA in 1992…

Since the formation of NCDEA, district employees have been invited to participate in: all NACD committees, task forces, and special committees; various U.S. Department of Agriculture councils and committees; and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s national committees.

NCDEA Presidents

2019 – present: Rhonda Kelsch, North Dakota

2015 – 2018: Tim Riley, Delaware

2012 – 2014: Irene Moore, Ohio

2009 – 2011: Connie Richmeier, Kansas

2007 – 2008: Cindy Moon, Illinois

2004 – 2006: Robert Dobbs, New Jersey

2002 – 2003: Rich Baden, Washington

1999 – 2001: Martha Buff, North Carolina

1996 – 1998: Shirley Ball, Arkansas

1993 – 1995: Kay Wasinger, Kansas

1992: Donald Aron, Wisconsin

A big thank you to our NCDEA Presidents!

We honor the NCDEA presidents who paved the way for the continued growth of NCDEA.  Their work built the foundation for NCDEA’s many successes.

The Association’s ability to participate in national policy and program debates and to represent our 7,000 members at the national level is due to the selfless investment by each president.  On behalf of all members, each person contributed countless hours to the work of the Association.

Please pause for a moment to reflect on the sacrifices each president has made for the betterment of all members.  Thank you, NCDEA presidents!

History of NCDEA Leadership

YearPresidentVice PresidentTreasurerSecretaryPast President
2022Rhonda Kelsch, NDMelissa Higbee, MIGretchen Rank, COVelynda Parker, NYTim Riley
2021Rhonda Kelsch, NDMelissa Higbee, MIGretchen Rank, COVelynda Parker, NYTim Riley
2020Rhonda Kelsch, NDMelissa Higbee, MIGretchen Rank, COVelynda Parker, NYTim Riley
2019Rhonda Kelsch, NDMelissa Higbee, MIJeanette Hale, ARVelynda Parker, NYTim Riley
2018Tim Riley, DERhonda Kelsch, NDJeanette Hale, ARMelissa Higbee, MIIrene Moore
2017Tim Riley, DERhonda Kelsch, NDJeanette Hale, ARMelissa Higbee, MIIrene Moore
2016Tim Riley, DEJeanette Hale, ARMelissa Higbee, MIRhonda Kelsch, NDIrene Moore
2015Tim Riley, DEJeanette Hale, ARTia Rice, OHRhonda Vetsch, NDIrene Moore
2014Irene Moore, OHPam Hawkins, NCTim Riley, DERhonda Vetsch, NDConnie Richmeier
2013Irene Moore, OHPam Hawkins, NCTim Riley, DEBryan Evans, NCConnie Richmeier
2012Irene Moore, OHPam Hawkins, NCTim Riley, DEBryan Evans, NCConnie Richmeier
2011Connie Richmeier, KSIrene Moore, OHLinda Smith, KYBryan Evans, NCCindy Moon
2010Connie Richmeier, KSIrene Moore, OHLinda Smith, KYPam Hawkins, NCCindy Moon
2009Connie Richmeier, KSTim Riley, DELinda Smith, KYPam Hawkins, NCCindy Moon
2008Cindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSTim Riley, DEPam Hawkins, NCRobert Dobbs
2007Cindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSGlenda Lewis, SCTim Riley, DERobert Dobbs
2006Robert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSGlenda Lewis, SCRich Baden
2005Robert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSGlenda Lewis, SCRich Baden
2004Robert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSGlenda Lewis, SCRich Baden
2003Rich Baden, WARobert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILConnie Richmeier, KSMartha Buff
2002Rich Baden, WARobert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILCarlene Rosencranz, SDMartha Buff
2001Martha Buff, NCRich Baden, WARobert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILShirley Ball
2000Martha Buff, NCRich Baden, WARobert Dobbs, NJCindy Moon, ILShirley Ball
1999Martha Buff, NCRich Baden, WAChristy Kimble, OKCindy Moon, ILShirley Ball
1998Shirley Ball, ARMartha Buff, NCRich Baden, WABeth Seibert, OHKay Wasinger
1997Shirley Ball, ARMartha Buff, NCJeff Wilson, CAFrances Martinez, NMKay Wasinger
1996Shirley Ball, ARMartha Buff, NCJeff Wilson, CAFrances Martinez, NMKay Wasinger
1995Kay Wasinger, KSLeroy Gross, PAMartha Buff, NCShirley Ball, ARDon Aron
1994Kay Wasinger, KSLeroy Gross, PAMartha Buff, NCShirley Ball, ARDon Aron
1993Kay Wasinger, KSLeroy Gross, PAMartha Buff, NCShirley Ball, ARDon Aron
1992Don Aron, WIKay Wasinger, KSJim Armstrong, WAShirley Ball, ARNA

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