Our Staff

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Rob Etgen
Katie Parks
Wayne T. Gilchrest
David Ferraris
Owen Bailey

Rob Etgen

President

Robert J. Etgen has been the Executive Director of ESLC since October 1990. He started his career as a Forest Ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service and also worked at times for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Attorney General’s Office in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, two private law firms in Baltimore, and with the Maryland Environmental Trust where he assisted in the formation of eighteen private land trusts. In land conservation Rob has published extensively, received numerous awards including the Chesapeake Bay “Conservationist of the Year” in 2007, and has led Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to become one of the most successful and innovative land trusts in the Country. In community service Rob has served on the founding boards of several organizations, is currently serving as Vice President of the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, and has been a “Big Brother” since 1994. Rob received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from West Virginia University. Rob spends his spare with his wife Suzanne and two daughters Caroline and Rose, going on adventures around the Eastern Shore.

retgen@eslc.org • 410.690.4603, ext. 166

Katie Parks

Vice President of Conservation

Katie joined ESLC with more than 11 years of real estate experience in the private and public sectors, most recently serving at the Maryland Department of Transportation. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore. Outside of work, Katie enjoys paddleboarding the beautiful waterways of the Eastern Shore.

kparks@eslc.org • (443) 695-1349

Wayne T. Gilchrest

Education Programs Director (SEEC)

The former U.S. Congressman was a longtime social studies teacher at Kent Couny High School. Wayne’s work at the Sassafras Environmental Education Center (SEEC) helps to promote environmental literacy across the Eastern Shore, especially in Kent County. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Wayne is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medal. He lives in Kennedyville with his family and spends many hours hiking and canoeing around Turners Creek, which also is home to SEEC.

wgilchrest@eslc.org • (410) 348-5214

David Ferraris

Director of Communications

As the director of communications, Dave produces ESLC’s marketing/print materials, as well as all content used for social media platforms, website, and weekly e-newsletter (The ESLC Weekly). His professional background includes marketing and fundraising experience working for animal welfare and environmental conservation organizations in both Washington, D.C. and California. A native of Stony Brook, NY, he has been a resident of Easton since 2008 and holds a B.A in English Studies and Communications from West Virginia University. In his spare time Dave enjoys music & film, stand-up paddleboarding in our surrounding waterways, and spending time with his two sons.

dferraris@eslc.org • (410) 690-4603 x 165

Owen Bailey

Facilities & Administrative Manager

Born and raised on the Eastern Shore, Owen Bailey earned a B.A. in American Studies and an M.A. in English from Washington College. Before joining ESLC, Owen worked at the Rose O’Neill Literary House at Washington College for almost seven years where he assisted in event planning. He serves on the Board for both the Colchester Farm CSA and Friends of the Kent County Public Library. Owen was the Chair of the Chestertown Book Festival from 2012-2016. He spends his free time writing, hiking, and kayaking.

obailey@eslc.org • (410) 690-4603 x 0

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