This spring, the Friends of Government Canyon board of directors welcomed four new members to the team, Amanda Haas, Michael Romans, Emily Tucker, and Debi Weissling. With the addition to these four new members, the board of directors is now 12 members strong. Peter Grojean has been re-elected to serve as President, with newly appointed Billy Lambert taking on the role as Vice President. Carolyn Harris and Jon Cutshall has also been reappointed in their roles as treasurer and secretary. Get to know our newest board members below and we welcome them to the team!
Amanda Haas is a writer and entrepreneur with a passion for building strong, interconnected community organizations and bringing untold stories to light. Her business UpWrite was founded in 2015, and serves dozens of nonprofit organizations each year through grant writing, marketing, and development services. Amanda grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a B.A. in English and Women’s Studies, with a focus on nonfiction creative writing. She has been a lifelong nature enthusiast and is an avid hiker, camper, and backpacker.
Michael Romans is a lifelong outdoor and wildlife enthusiast. He's a land surveyor by profession, registered in both Texas (since 1984) and Colorado (since 1991). Mike is an active member of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors, and served as San Antonio Chapter president in 2008-2009. Mike surveyed a 1,023 acre portion of Government Canyon SNA for the land consolidation process.
Emily Tucker hails from West Texas and a third generation Hill Country ranch family. She grew up backpacking in the Southwest and gained a great appreciation for access to natural places. As a landscape architect, she tries to bring a little nature into the city and foster connections. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and spending time on any Texas river with her husband and their two dogs.
Debi Weissling holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Multidisciplinary Science from the University of the Incarnate Word. Debi taught middle and high school science for 15 years before becoming a Secondary Science Specialist for Northside ISD. She has been camping, exploring nature and rock hunting for as long as she can remember. Her love for nature has spilled over into Government Canyon where she sometimes can be found in the fee booth, the dinosaur tracks (her passion) or leading hikes and children’s programs.