David J. Robertson, Ph.D., Executive Director
Dr. Robertson has been employed by the Trust since 1988. As chief executive and scientist, Dr. Robertson is responsible for the overall administration of the Pennypack Trust and its 801-acre natural area preserve. He serves as the staff liaison for the Executive Committee, Board Development and Governance Committee, and Land Acquisition Committee.
Dr. Robertson holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in biology (Ph.D., 1981) and from Ohio University in zoology (B.S., 1974). He is also an Adjunct Professor in the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, where he teaches restoration ecology. Dr. Robertson is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. David and his wife, Mary, reside in the Executive Director’s residence at the Edge Hill Road entrance near the Visitor Center.
Janell Beaty, Administrative Assistant (Part-time)
Jan became the Trust’s part-time Administrative Assistant in May 2003. Her main responsibilities are bookkeeping and managing income from contributions and sales, but she also inherited the jobs of running the birdseed sales and organizing the Trust’s extensive environmental library. Jan’s corporate background as an executive secretary brings the experience needed for the diverse hats she wears at the Trust.
Jan studies watercolor painting and sings with the Centennial Singers, but mostly she enjoys the company of her six grandchildren. Jan lives in Willow Grove.
Conrad Cregan, Volunteer Coordinator (Part-time)
Mr. Cregan oversees the efforts of the volunteers for a variety of projects including mailings, birdseed sales, invasive plant management, and creek clean-ups. He is also responsible for the administration of the volunteer programs.
Conrad is a graduate of La Salle University and worked for many years in human resources. Conrad lives in Huntingdon Valley with his wife, Patricia.
Christopher Dartley, Stewardship Assistant
Chris graduated with a BS in Horticulture from Temple University in May 2003. Before joining the Trust, he was an Urban and Community Forest Intern at the Morris Arboretum where he worked on restoration projects in Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley Park.
Chris lives in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children. He is an active member of the Upper Dublin Township Shade Tree Commission. In his free time, he enjoys competing in triathlons.
Kirk Laule, Groundskeeper
Mr. Laule has been employed by the Trust since 1978. He is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the preserve including the Trust’s eight-mile trail system, the tree plantings, and the Raytharn Farm fields.
Mr. Laule graduated from Philadelphia’s George Washington High School and has studied landscaping at the Morris Arboretum. Kirk and his wife, Debra, reside in the Trust’s farmhouse at the Creek Road entrance to the preserve in Lower Moreland.
Brad Nyholm, Director of Stewardship
Mr. Nyholm has been employed by the Trust since May 1998. He is responsible for the stewardship and ecological management of Pennypack’s 801-acre natural area preserve. He is the staff liaison for the Stewardship Committee.
Mr. Nyholm earned a B.S. degree in Geography from Radford University in Virginia. Brad resides in the Trust’s farmhouse on Raytharn Farm with his wife, Heather, and their children Sara, Andrew, and Jacob.
Lauren Steele, Member Services Coordinator
Lauren Steele joined the Trust’s staff in September 2001. In addition to her main responsibility of keeping the Trust’s more than 1,200 memberships up-to-date, Lauren gathers and publicizes upcoming events and oversees the gift shop. Lauren has many years of work experience, mostly in administrative assistant and customer service related jobs. She is a 1999 magna cum laude graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a degree in marketing.
Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Lauren lives in Maple Glen. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, tennis, and playing the piano.
Susan Carrochi Sherman, Controller (Part-time)
Susan Carrochi Sherman worked for 20 years in law firm administration in Philadelphia law firms where she was responsible for managing all financial and administrative matters for the firms. She earned an MBA from Temple University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from St. Joseph’s University. While working in law firm administration, Susan was active in the Association of Legal Administrators, and held several offices including president of the Philadelphia chapter. Susan is an active volunteer with Alpha Phi International Fraternity and serves as the Regional Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region, working with collegiate and alumnae chapters in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. She resides in Fort Washington, where she and her husband are renovating their circa 1790’s home and barn. Ms. Sherman joined the Trust’s staff in October 2008.