LEADERSHIP
The leadership of the conservancy comprises seasoned conservationists, landowners with conservation easements, and a range of experts in finance, law, policy, and strategic planning, all working together to achieve the mission of the Cibolo Conservancy.
Our Board of Directors is actively in ensuring the success of our mission. Their commitment and hard work are essential in helping our conservancy make significant progress while keeping costs low.
We are not just a board and staff; we are a united team!
STAFF
BEN ELDREDGE
Executive Director
Land Conservationist and former Vice-President of Conservation at the Cibolo Center for Conservation, Ben provides extensive experience in land stewardship, environmental science, environmental policy and regional planning. Ben started his career as the manager of a 5,000 acre ranch and has also been instrumental in shaping development rules, transportation plans and water management policies in Boerne and Kendall County. In addition to facilitating the conservation of land, Ben also serves on the board of directors at the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, influences regional groundwater management and participates in state water data initiatives.
DONNA TAYLOR
Director of Operations
As an environmental scientist and land conservation advocate, Donna provides impressive skillsets that keep the organization organized and focused on our mission. Donna is a published scientist with a strong environmental ethic who expresses her passion for conserving pristine habitats through her career, service on the board of a nature preserve, and as a volunteer scientists at the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. As the Principal and Chief Pilot for Avia Enviro, Donna also provides consulting services for conservation organizations and private landowners.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
TOM FROST
Board President
A retired banker from Frost Bank in San Antonio, Tom is a landowner dedicated to conservation of regional land and water resources, which has motivated him to establish a conservation easement on his ranch and become a driving force at the conservancy.
PAM HODGES
Board Vice President
A consultant with significant experience collaborating with developers and civic leaders to achieve environmentally sensible development solutions and policies. As a former Chairman of the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, she played a key role in establishing the Guadalupe River Trust.
PAUL SPARKS
Board Co-Treasurer
A CPA with 40 years of experience, Paul is Originally from San Antonio and now resides in the Hill Country close to his family ranch in Comfort. He is passionate about sustainable development in the Hill Country and safeguarding land, wildlife, and the environment.
LISA MILLER
Board Co-Treasurer
Lisa is a retired financial accountant with four decades of non-profit accounting experience. She is also a landowner in Kendall County with a deep appreciation for the beautiful scenery of the Texas Hill Country.
ADRIANNE FROST
Board Secretary
A Luxury Home Realtor with the Phyllis Browning Company specializing in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, Adrianne is also a Kendall County landowner continuing her family’s legacy of stewarding the land.
JEREMIAH LEIBOWITZ
At-Large Executive Committee Member
Jeremiah is an attorney with over 15 years of nonprofit experience, having worked for and lead land trusts in Texas, California, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. He provides both passion and practical experience for the conservancy’s mission to preserve habitats, agricultural land, and the region’s natural beauty.
BOARD MEMBERS
ART WILSON
Now retired, Art dedicated 23 years to IBM before founding a consulting firm in Boerne that facilitated and consulted with over 350 leadership teams of emerging and large companies to develop and implement strategies for rapid growth. He is a founding member of the conservancy and the first landowner to establish a conservation easement with the organization.
BOB WEBSTER
Co-owner of Shades of Green, a top organic nursery in Texas, Bob resides on a Hill Country ranch that has been in the family for more than a century. Bob is also a well-known host of a syndicated radio programs that focuses on natural and organic gardening.
BRIAN FOOTE
Brian is a Senior Manager with KPMG, LLP He resides in the Hill Country and has passion for protecting the Hill Country Character and natural charm of our region for generations to come.
DAVID MILLER
David is retired lawyer who lives on a ranch in Kendall County with his wife and golden retriever. He spends most of his free time beautifying and enhancing their land for wildlife habitat.
MELINDA KILPATRICK
A native of Houston, TX, Melinda is a retired teacher with expertise in elementary math, science, and music. She is also a Master Naturalist and a member of the Galveston Bay Foundation.
RENAN ZAMBRANO
Renan is currently a grant coordinator at the National Forest Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Congress to assist the US Forest Service. Prior to this role, he dedicated ten years managing a federal natural resources conservation program at the Texas Parks Wildlife Department in Austin. Additionally, he serves on the board of the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area and is passionate environmentalist, storyteller, and outdoor adventurer.
WADE KILPATRICK
A former lawyer specializing in real and banking, Wade has held the position of CEO for several operating companies and served on the boards of various corporations and charitable organizations, including the Galveston Bay Foundation. He became a member of the conservancy board in 2005 and considers himself a bon vivant and raconteur.