ONSC Board of Directors
Share Your Skills and Talents - Support ONSC as a Volunteer Committee Member!
ONSC's Board of Directors is accepting applications for the volunteer committees. We seek a diverse set of volunteers with a wide variety of skills, including fundraising, ecology, leadership and management, human resources, finance, business, IT, community relations, education, networking, and more! If you are interested in joining one of our committees, contact us or apply today!
Committees with Openings:
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Marketing Committee
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Fine-tune ONSC's branding and other marketing materials
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Assist with marketing and social media content
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Fundraising Committee
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Assist with ONSC's Major Gifts programs, grants, and annual appeals
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Events Committee
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Help ONSC raise funds through fundraisers, events, and sponsorships
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Facilities and Land Committee
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Assist with ONSC's campus maintenance plan, including strategies for long-term management of native and invasive plants, trail maintenance, erosion control, and land use
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Assist with invasive plant management, glade restoration, building maintenance, and other campus projects
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ONSC President Owner, SubieGurus Auto Shop Justin is a long-time resident of NWA and attended ONSC as a 5th grader. He lives and works in Downtown Rogers. His passion for environmental education led him to run a summer program called Arkansas Youth Adventures, which took kids on rock climbing, canoeing, backpacking, and science trips in the Buffalo River area. If he is not at his shop or finding adventure with his wife and daughter, he is jogging or biking on one of the local trails.
ONSC Vice Pres and HR Officer Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas Dr. Schaffer is a Fayetteville native and graduated with a PhD from Clemson University in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She moved back to NWA to pursue a career in HR at Walmart. In 2019, she moved to higher education, where she currently teaches courses on HR, Talent Development, Diversity and Ethics. In her free time, she looks for any excuse to get her family outdoors in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
ONSC Treasurer Finance Director, The Sustainability Consortium Sunny is a CPA with 10+ years of experience in accounting. Originally from Indiana, Sunny moved to NWA in 2022 after traveling in an RV for 2 years with his wife (Taylor) and dog (Arya). He has fallen in love with the people and natural beauty of Arkansas in his time here. He is passionate about sustainability and loves outdoor adventures, especially rafting the Buffalo River and mountain biking in Hobbs State Park.
ONSC Secretary Biology Teacher, Business Manager and Director of Student Activities at the School for Advanced Studies Rod holds graduate degrees in biology and a PhD from the University of Arkansas, with venomous snake research spanning from Ethiopia to Missouri and Arkansas. After managing remote National Wildlife Refuges for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he served eight years as a charter school headmaster and joined the School for Advanced Studies in 2024.
ONSC Founder Ken moved to NWA in 1969. He graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Construction Science and started a commercial construction company in 1973. Ken later sold his company to the Nabholz Company so he could focus his time on on real estate in NWA and on developing ONSC with his wife RuAnn. They have two sons who are both scientists and who both teach in higher education. Ken and RuAnn split their time now between Arkansas and Baja California Sur, Mexico.
CEO, Sustainability Consortium (TSC) Christy is a conservation biologist and directs the development of a global, transparent, science-based measurement and reporting system for product sustainability. She loves hiking, canoeing the Buffalo, birding, playing with her rescue dog Roxie, and participating in cave biology projects with her husband. Her first job was as a Teacher Naturalist at ONSC, which led her to pursue her current career.
Nonprofit Developer and Private Chef Growing up in NWA, Michael’s passion for the Ozarks runs deep. In his free time he enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with friends and family. Michael’s dedication to education has provided him with several certifications such as a certified Parks and Recreation Executive, Nonprofit Development Executive and CPA. He currently works as a private chef, with several nonprofits, startups, civic groups and is a US Navy veteran.
Civil Engineer, Freese and Nichols Kale has 18+ years of expertise in floodplain and stormwater analysis, mitigation, and site development. Based in NWA, he has led projects from stream restoration to urban drainage, with a commitment to public safety and sustainable design. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the U of A, is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and past president of the AR Society of Professional Engineers.
Stewardship Coordinator, AR Natural Heritage Commission Brian received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1999. He previously worked for the Arkansas Military Department, Mississippi Military Department, and The Nature Conservancy of Mississippi. Brian has more than 20 years of experience working in conservation and natural resources management. Brian has served as an ex-officio member of the ONSC board for nearly 5 years.