CUYAHOGA SWCD 2024 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ELECTION

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors are elected public officials tasked with helping shape and direct the Cuyahoga County’s conservation priorities. Five (5) supervisors serve on the board, each serving a three-year term. Annual elections are held for open positions and Cuyahoga residents and landowners over 18 years of age are eligible to vote in the elections.

The voting period for Cuyahoga SWCD’s 2024 Board of Supervisors Election will be September 7th, 2024-October 6th, 2024. Eligible voters can vote in person at the District office, by mail via an absentee vote, or at the 2024 Stormwater RUN-Off event on October 6th.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

CAROLINE KELEMEN

Caroline Kelemen currently serves as Vice Chair for Cuyahoga SWCD Board of Supervisors and is seeking their third term on the board. Since graduating with an Agricultural Engineering degree from Purdue University, Caroline has been working on storm, sewer and potable water projects in Northeast Ohio. Caroline has worked on stormwater master planning, erosion assessments, water quality and quantity monitoring, asset management and construction inspection in both the public and private sector. They currently work on conveyance construction projects for Wade Trim. Caroline is an active caver and hiker and has hiked the Appalachian Trail. Caroline believes fostering the diversity of the environment and the environmental sector is essential for building the resiliency needed to face environmental challenges. It takes all kinds to build a better world.

ANTON KRIEGER

Anton Krieger started as an environmental justice organizer at Buckeye Environmental Network in 2021 and is now the program manager of the oil & gas waste program. He received his Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University with a dual specialization in economic development and city management. During his Masters, Anton studied the importance of green infrastructure and land conservation in future city planning efforts in Cuyahoga County. He formerly served on the Rocky River Watershed Council Board of Directors.

SAMANTHA MARTIN

Samantha Martin blends a background of marketing, public relations, stewarding partnerships, and mission-based storytelling. She serves as the Director of Communications & Engagement at Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), overseeing the branding, messaging, and promotion of the internationally renowned freshwater innovation cluster and its Smart Lake Erie Watershed: the largest digitally connected freshwater body in the world. Throughout her time with CWA, she led and launched an organization-wide rebranding effort to reflect its global leadership. She is passionate about crafting impact-driven communications processes, strategies, and campaigns, and has successfully garnered local, regional, national, and international media coverage of the organization’s projects and programs. Her experience also includes cultivating engagement with CWA’s vast network through executing events, webinars, and giving opportunities. She currently serves on the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern Advisory Committee and holds a BA from Baldwin-Wallace College in Public Relations and Political Science.

CHRISTINA ZNDARSIC

Christina Znidarsic is a Northeast Ohio native with a deep-seated passion for the environment. She leads the stream and wetland restoration team for Davey Resource Group’s Northern Ohio consulting office and holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science from Cleveland State University and a BS in Geology from the College of William and Mary. She has over 13 years of experience in stream and wetland restoration, watershed planning, stormwater policy, and environmental education and outreach. She lives in Cleveland with her husband and two extremely spoiled cats and loves riding her bicycle, hiking, and tending to her 100% native plant garden!