To ensure members and stakeholders from all basin states are collaborating and are able to discuss state specific issues and threats, the Coalition created the State Lead initiative. Each State Lead is responsible for convening and organizing work around Coalition priorities, while also looking for emerging issues that may need Coalition support. State Leads work to ensure that Coalition members are knowledgeable about basin issues and engage with the larger membership to help solve them.
New york
Molly Oliver, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Director of Policy
Molly joined FUDR as the Policy Director in the Fall of 2018. She grew up in Delaware County, NY on the headwaters of the West Branch Delaware River. She obtained a degree in Landscape Architecture and became a Professional Landscape Architect before returning to the area in 2013. At that time, Molly began working for the Delaware County Planning Department and eventually transitioned to the Department of Watershed Affairs.
In these positions, she gained a new appreciation for the politics surrounding the river. Molly is passionate about working with the Coalition in this dynamic environment full of potential to further community and conservation goals.
Email: molly@fudr.org.
Sherri Resti Thomas, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Deputy Director
Sherri serves as Deputy Director for FUDR based in Hancock, NY. Sherri has been employed by FUDR for 11 years and has played a key leadership role in the growth and evolution of the organization. Sherri is the primary organizer of FUDR’s signature “One Bug” fly fishing event that kicks off the spring fishing season each year on the Upper Delaware River and the organization’s largest fundraiser.
Sherri helps direct numerous conservation programs at FUDR including stream restoration projects, national and state funding campaigns, local and regional coalition efforts, and FUDR’s annual fly fishing summer camp for kids. When she can pry herself away from her FUDR duties, Sherri enjoys spending time paddle boarding and kayaking on the Upper Delaware River with her husband Rich near their home on the UDR West Branch in Starlight, PA.
Email: sherri@fudr.org.
Jeff Skelding, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Executive Director
Jeff Skelding has worked in the non-profit conservation field for more than 30 years. He currently serves as Executive Director for FUDR based in Hancock, NY. Prior to his position with FUDR, Jeff directed the National Great Lakes Campaign-Healing our Waters Coalition for the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, DC. Jeff has extensive experience in coalition building, grassroots organizing, campaign development, policy analysis, legislative lobbying and media relations. When he finds some spare time, Jeff enjoys fly fishing for wild and native trout near his home on the Upper Delaware River in northeast Pennsylvania.
Email: skelding@fudr.org.
delaware
Robin Glazer, Delaware Nature Society, Environmental Advocate
Robin joined the Delaware Nature Society in 2022 as the Environmental Advocate. She holds a B.S. from Penn State in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and an M.A. in Biology from Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. Prior to joining the DNS, Robin worked as a zookeeper at several zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, fulfilling a childhood dream. As such, much of Robin’s graduate work focused on resource allocation for zookeepers, organizations, and animals, filling several resource gaps in the profession. After more than a decade of connecting guests to wildlife at zoos, Robin transitioned into advocacy to champion environmental causes at the legislative level. Now her work involves leading Delaware in regional clean water coalitions, supporting Delaware’s clean water initiatives, and bridging the gap between communities and their governments on environmental issues. Robin lives in Delaware with her husband and their rescue dogs, cats, and birds.
Email: Robin.Glazer@delawarenaturesociety.org
pennsylvania
Ezra P. Thrush, MPA, PennFuture, Senior Advisor
Ezra serves as Senior Advisor for PennFuture. In this role, he advocates for strong environmental, energy, conservation, and agriculture policy. Specifically, Ezra leads federal work including the Farm Bill and appropriations, and regulatory, solar, electric vehicles, democracy, and conservation funding issues, among others, in Pennsylvania.
Ezra recently returned to PennFuture after serving as the Shapiro Administration’s first Policy Director at the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Ezra holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University, concentrating in public policy and nonprofit management. Ezra continues to regularly lecture at local and regional colleges and universities on these issues.
He is an avid outdoorsman and active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, National Outdoor Leadership School, and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
Email: thrush@pennfuture.org
New jersey
Jay Weisbond (he/him/his), Policy Assistant, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
As the Policy Assistant at New Jersey LCV, Jay Weisbond focuses on researching state-level policy relating to the environment, public health, and voting rights. He supports the Keep it Green Coalition and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, manages relationships with elected officials, and assists in developing environmental policy priorities that center on racial justice and equity. Additionally, Jay tracks legislation in Trenton, organizes meetings with key individuals, and represents New Jersey LCV at various public events.
Jay graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University in 2022. Inspired by his passion for social justice and policy research, he pursued a Master’s degree in Political Science with a focus on United Nations and Global Policy Studies from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, graduating in 2024.
His previous experience includes interning for New Jersey Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and serving as a Policy and Outreach Intern at New Jersey LCV, where he conducted policy research, organized meetings, and represented the organization at various events.
Jay chose to work at New Jersey LCV because of its leadership in advancing environmental legislation, its strong communication with lawmakers and nonprofits, and the organization’s commitment to environmental justice. He appreciates the organization’s impressive record and supportive team, sharing a passion for combating climate change and protecting natural resources.
email: jay.weisbond@njlcv.org