NLI Board of Trustees and Affiliations

Paul is a lifelong resident of Rockford. Although the home he has always lived in is inside Rockford’s city limits, it is located on a four acre lot that includes a two acre prairie. Quietly sitting in that prairie, gazing at the birds and sky, and just thinking was a summer joy. As a youth, Paul’s family was friends with Owen Gromme (renowned wildlife painter from Baraboo, WI). Mr. Gromme and his daughter helped the entire family learn to rehabilitate orphaned and injured birds. Family vacations were, typically, road trips to national parks. Paul’s parents and siblings are long-time supporters of many environmental organizations, particularly the Nature Conservancy, which later motivated family members to become committed supporters of the Natural Land Institute. When retirement from the engineering career and the end of another significant volunteer commitment ended, the transition to NLI was a natural fit. He serves on all of NLI’s committees: Executive, Land Conservation, Finance, Personnel, Resource Development, Education, Marketing & Membership, as well as the Working Lands Sub Committee and DEI Task Force. Paul knows that it is imperative that we protect unblemished natural areas and the creatures that depend on those areas for their survival.

Judy’s love of nature began at an early age through trips to northern Wisconsin, since her Grandfather and Mom loved to fish. While they spent their days on the lake, she and her sister spent it in the woods – exploring every nook and cranny. In sixth grade, her class spent a few days at Camp Lorado Taft exploring the land around Blackhawk Statue. Old roots run deep.

She has been fortunate to hold four uniquely different jobs in her work life, retiring as Deputy County Administrator in 2004. Highlights of her county work included coordinating the county’s Balanced Growth Initiative and the Green Communities Environmental Vision. Once retired, she consulted for two years with the county Economic Development office and then went on to create Marketworks, a small business specializing in print marketing, photography and event planning.

In 2016 she was elected to a second term as a Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Commissioner, and she also serves as an Associate Director of the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Judy previously served on the NLI board and is a past President. In addition to being the Vice President Judy is currently the Chair of the Resource Development Committee, and also serves on the Executive, Finance and Board Development Committees. Judy coordinates NLI’s silent auctions, and chairs the biennial Party on the Prairie fundraiser. Judy feels that the work of NLI is extremely important to the sustainability of the region.

My love of nature goes back to my childhood. We were constantly outside and often we explored nearby natural areas and parks looking for turtles, snakes, cool insects, etc. As a Boy Scout, we camped and hiked frequently. My Eagle Scout project involved working on the early stages of a prairie restoration at Highland College in Freeport. Keith Blackmore, former NLI Board member, was one of my teachers at HCC, and inspired me to become a teacher. I taught a variety of subjects, but primarily Biology and Environmental Science for 32 years in the Belvidere school district (Belvidere HS and Belvidere North). During my last 23 years, I taught a class called Advanced Topics, created by a coworker and I, that exposed students to a variety of ecosystems via field trips and projects by taking students to natural areas.  Coming from a family of birders, conservationists, and prairie stewards, involvement in NLI seems preordained. I was a “sometimes” member of NIL’s Science Advisory committee when my schedule permitted. After I retired, I found myself needing to get out of the house. Kim Johnsen convinced me to help with some educational, programming, and stewardship activities that NLI sponsors, and to join the Education Committee. I am proud to be part of the NLI team that creates, protects, and restores our natural areas.

Ashley is a Partner and Senior Urban Planner with Studio GWA where she works to revitalize downtowns, redevelop historic buildings, and build community. She grew up in a small town near Rockford so is familiar with both rural and urban contexts for the built and natural environment.

Her community involvement includes Transform Rockford, I Bike Rockford, IGNITE Young Professionals, and is on the board for Jeremiah Development.

In her free time you could expect Ashley to be biking or hiking with her husband, Jason, and dog, Kevin.

Ashley serves as the Chair of NLI’s Marketing & Membership Committee and is on the Executive Committee.

Nancy Holm holds a B.S. in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University, as well as a CPA certification. Significant recent work experience includes 10 years as Owner/President of Benefits Administrative Services (BAS), which provided Claims Processing and Benefit Administration Services for medical, dental, disability, FSA, COBRA; and provided eligibility and billing consolidations. BAS’s Profile: 30 client companies, 36 employees, $2 million revenue.

Prior work experience includes progressive management responsibility and accountability incorporate benefits administration and compensation. Nancy also worked in public accounting (CPA at Big 6 firm) with lead audit responsibility.

Nancy enjoys planting and working in her acre yard, filled with flowers, perennials, bushes, trees, and raised vegetable/herb gardens. Her yard was one of 8 featured in the Council of Rockford Gardeners 2019 Garden Walk.

As Treasurer of Natural Land Institute, Nancy is also Chair of the Finance Committee.

Rob grew up in northeast Ohio in close proximity to several of the 18 preserves in the 23,000-acre Cleveland Metroparks System. Some of his earliest memories involve playing with friends in forests and creeks. His father introduced him to camping and nature photography, which remain passions to this day. When he moved to northern Illinois in the 90s for a teaching position at Rock Valley College, he was introduced to the Natural Land Institute.

The spring of 2002 was Rob’s first formal connection to NLI when he signed on to help establish a bluebird nest box trail at Nygren Wetland Preserve. To this day he still helps maintain and monitor that trail. Over the years, Rob has also participated in various volunteer work days, restoration projects, prescribed burns, planting and seed harvesting projects. His wife Cassie and daughter Emma have occasionally joined him in some of those activities. The natural world is very important to the entire family.

Rob feels that volunteering with NLI for two decades has kept him close to nature. He doesn’t hesitate to tell people that helping protect natural areas in northern Illinois gives him an immense sense of pride. He is honored to take that service to the next level and serve as a member of NLI’s board of trustees.

John is a landscape architect who has worked with the private and public sectors for decades and brings a scope of knowledge and understanding about how a natural environment can be enjoyable and encourage healing of the mind and body.

John is the Chair of NLI’s Land Conservation Committee and serves on the Executive and Resource Development Committees, as well as the Working Lands Sub Committee.

They have both been NLI supporters for many years. One of Jay’s goals is to ensure this organization is around for a long time. This is why he has been an advocate of NLI’s Endowment Fund. NLI is one of the few strong long-term organizations in our area and Jay is proud to be a part of his land trust. He is the past Treasurer of NLI and serves on the Finance Committee.

Adam has been a Broker with Dickerson & Nieman Realtors for 11 years and is a 4 year member of their President’s Club which is an award to the top tier of sales agents for the company.

He was born and raised in Rockford, graduating Guilford High School in 2001. He attended the University of Wyoming achieving his Bachelor’s in Advertising and Marketing.

Throughout the years he has been a member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the United Sportsmen’s Youth Foundation whose mission is “Teaching Kids about Conservation”. He grew up a hunter and is a conservationist and steward of his land for his children, son Mason and daughter Ellie.

He is familiar with land values and contracts and willing to volunteer for projects and causes he believes in. Adam has a passion for the outdoors and land in general and wants to leave something for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. Adam serves on NLI’s Land Conservation Committee.

I was born and raised in Oakland County, Michigan.  Graduated with a BS degree from Michigan State University in 1976.  Upon given the opportunity from my father to start a formal Quality Control and Engineering Department at Specialty Screw Corporation, I moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1980 to begin a career in the fastener industry, and eventually, becoming president and majority owner of the family business in 1995.

I have been an active member in the Rotary Club of Rockford since 1987, a former board of trustee and treasurer at the Natural Land Institute for nine years, and a current board member of the Rockford Park District Foundation.  Having lived in Michigan for over twenty five years gave me a true sense of the outdoors and the essence of land preservation and recreation.  I’m a big supporter of conservation of God’s given natural resources and hold to the motto the three R’s; “Re-use, Reduce and Recycle”, and “Think Globally, Act Locally.”  In my spare time I golf, tennis, swim, bike and snow ski.

It should be noted that even though I was born and raised in Michigan, I have roots in Northern Illinois where both my parents were raised on dairy farms; my father in Genoa and my mother in Hampshire.  There, as a child I would visit during the holidays and an occasional summer vacation with my cousins to truly experience working on a dairy farm.

My wife, Gin, and I have been married for 38 years with three children, all in the family business and three granddaughters.

Russ serves on NLI’s Finance Committee.

Cristobal Manzano served in the US Navy for more than seven years, has a biology degree from Texas A & M University, and has worked as Deputy Coroner of Winnebago County since 2015. Cristobal’s love of nature started at an early age. A licensed falconer, Cristobal has worked with and trained hawks and falcons since he was 14 years old. He is Treasurer of the Audubon Council of Illinois and also serves on the board of Sinnissippi Audubon Society (Rockford). He is a volunteer at Rockford Park District’s Atwood Center and for their birds of prey program. In 2021 he was recognized for his commitment to the community when he was named one of the Rockford Chamber’s “People You Should Know”.  Cristobal appreciates the opportunity to serve on the NLI board.

Nancy Williamson retired June 2018 after serving 19 years with Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a Regional Watershed Coordinator and was “Green Cities” Campaign Manager for the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, and Conservation 2000 grant administrator for twelve years, working with private sector Ecosystem Partnerships in Northern Illinois.  She served for seven years as co-chair of the Chicago Wilderness Green Infrastructure Team, and founded the Sustainable Watershed Action Team, which worked with private grant funding to advance green infrastructure planning, watershed planning, and resource-sensitive development with multiple local jurisdictions across northern Illinois.

Nancy served for five years on the board and as President of the McHenry County Conservation District, and 15 years on the McHenry County Conservation Foundation and on two referendum committees, ultimately bringing $141.5 million in open space funding to McHenry County, IL.

Nancy was a recipient of the 2010 United States Department of Interior “Partners in Conservation” Award for her work with Chicago Wilderness Green Infrastructure and received the award again in 2012 for her role in helping establish Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. She currently serves as Board treasurer for Friends of Hackmatack NWR. She is an accomplished graphic artist/illustrator and helps many not-for-profits with free or cost effective graphic design, including interpretive signage at NLI’s Nygren Wetland Preserve.

Nancy is Chair of NLI’s Personnel Committee and serves on the Executive and Land Conservation Committees, as well as the DEI Task Force.

Rob Young was born and raised in the country at Everbold Farm in Kirkland, Illinois and has had a curiosity and passion for the natural world from a young age. An avid outdoor adventurer, Rob has sought out natural beauty in places such as New Zealand, California, Utah, Arizona, Georgia and Virginia, but when he is home you can find him hiking along a Northern Illinois trail. Professionally, Rob is the owner and President of Midwest Packaging and Container, a tennis teaching pro at Forest City Tennis Center, and the assistant editor of FutureSox.com.  Rob is a 2015-2016 alumni of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Leadership Rockford Program, a member of Next Rockford, and Vice President of the Rockford Young Professionals Meetup group. Rob serves on the NLI Personnel Committee.