MFA Executive Director Karin E. Miller

MFA Executive Director, Karin E. Miller

A native of Dunkirk, NY, Karin has been serving as the sole staff person to the leadership and membership of the Maryland Forests Association since January of 1995. She began as an administrative assistant and in 1997 was named Executive Director.

Bringing a background in forestry and education to MFA, Karin graduated from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Syracuse, NY) in 1981 with a B.S. in Forestry and Environmental Resources Management. In 1990 she completed studies at Frostburg State University and received teaching licenses in Biology and General Science (grades 5-12) for both Maryland and Pennsylvania.

As MFA's only staffer, Karin provides administrative oversight and technical support for all MFA programs and initiatives. From the maintenance of the membership database and routine secretarial duties, to the publishing of MFA's newletters, special reports and promotional brochures, coordinating event logistics, and even serving as MFA's "webmaster", Karin serves as the "hub" of the Association's "wheel" by helping to keep it all together and rolling along.
Before coming to staff MFA in 1995, Karin served as a technical writer on a one year contract for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service as the lead researcher and writer for a special project to produce both a natural resources conservation education plan for Maryland and a forest health report. She had also taught various secondary science courses in Allegany County, Learning Skills at Garrett Community College, and had served as a substitute teacher in Allegany, Garrett and Somerset (PA) Counties.

As an Environmental Educator, Karin's background began with a Peace Corps assignment to Guatemala in 1981 to assist with soil conservation efforts in the Quiche Indian villages of San Vicente and San Carlos Sija. After returning to the United States, she worked the 1982 season with the USDA Forest Service assisting with forest inventories of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Since 1991, Karin has served as a workshop facilitator for Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project WILD. She became a facilitator for the newly developed Project WET in 1996. She has organized and assisted with many environmental education workshops for both Allegany and Garrett County school systems and for employees from the local paper mill. Karin also served as the Natural Resources Instructor for the Maryland 4-H summer camp programs at their facility in Garrett County and traveled the State to take the natural resources curriculum to 4-H camps in other counties.

Karin's professional memberships include the Society of American Foresters (SAF), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE), the Garrett County Forest Conservancy Board, and Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society. She is a member of Springs Mennonite Church where she leads a weekly women's bible study, and has served as an Elder, Adult Sunday School Superintendent, teacher and worship leader. Karin and her husband Pete (MFA President 1994-1995) and children Mike (NHS Class of 2004) and Dan (NHS Class of 2007) have lived in Garrett County since 1987.

1976
MFAis founded and chartered.
President Sam Dyke fills the shoes of both president and director for the fledgling organizaton.

1980
First Executive Director is hired .
Hank DeBruin (1980-1988) a retired forester with administrative experience from American Forests and Tree Farm comes to MFA's aide to provide part-time staffing to the growing organization.

1989
A time of transition
Dave Chessler and then Dee Horner each served as a part-time Executive Director for a few months

1990
Hank DeBruin returns the helm of MFA with his wife Martha serving as his assistant

1991
MFA's first full time Executive Director is hired
Susan K. Reinhard serves from 1991 to 1994

1995
MFA Executive Director position redesigned to be an administrative assistant contractual position.
Karin E. Miller is hired in January of 1995 to serve as MFA's administrative assistant to the all-volunteer leadership of MFA.

1997 to present
As programs grew and duties were added, the position of administrative assistant evolved first to Administrator and then to Executive Director.
On a contractual basis, Karin Miller continues to serve as MFA's membership and leadership as its sole staff person.

1976	MFAis founded and chartered. President Sam Dyke fills the shoes of both president and director for the fledgling organizaton.
1980	First Executive Director is hired . Hank DeBruin (1980-1988) a retired forester with administrative experience from American Forests and Tree Farm comes to MFA's aide to provide part-time staffing to the growing organization.
1989	A time of transition Dave Chessler and then Dee Horner each served as a part-time Executive Director for a few months
1990	Hank DeBruin returns the helm of MFA with his wife Martha serving as his assistant
1991	MFA's first full time Executive Director is hired Susan K. Reinhard serves from 1991 to 1994
1995	MFA Executive Director position redesigned to be an administrative assistant contractual position. Karin E. Miller is hired in January of 1995 to serve as MFA's administrative assistant to the all-volunteer leadership of MFA.
1997 to present	As programs grew and duties were added, the position of administrative assistant evolved first to Administrator and then to Executive Director. On a contractual basis, Karin Miller continues to serve as MFA's membership and leadership as its sole staff person.