PTRC Leadership
The Port Tobacco River Conservancy is guided by community leaders who care deeply about our environment.
Tina Wilson, President
Tina is a lifelong resident of Charles County. She grew up on a small farm along Neale Sound near Cobb Island, where she nurtured her love of the water. After attending college on the Eastern Shore, she pursued a career in the Army, retiring in 2005. She served as a logistics officer on a variety of assignments, including at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and in Stuttgart, Germany, and Skopje, Macedonia. She is a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Tina’s work providing water to villagers as part of humanitarian support brought home to her the importance of clean water. which many take for granted. Upon retiring from the service, she renewed her love of boating and moved to Port Tobacco. While on a boating trip to Chapel Point, she learned from fellow boaters of the dangers of a high bacteria count in the river, which led her to join PTRC. It is Tina’s hope that many more people will become members of PTRC and learn to better appreciate the Port Tobacco River.
Lynne Wheeler, Vice President
Lynne was born and raised in Indian Head, Charles County, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Medical Technology. She worked as a technical supervisor in hospital clinical laboratories in La Plata, Maryland, and Boca Raton, Florida; a territory manager for Fisher Scientific; and in her final working years with Grainger Industrial Supply. She has held multiple officer positions with the Southern Maryland Audubon Society, is the Past President and current Membership Chair, as well as Membership Chair for Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, and on the Beautification Commission for the Town of La Plata – Maryland’s FIRST Bird City. Her hobbies are gardening with native plants, birding, reading, cooking, nature, and good wine. She resides in Chicamuxen with her husband John.
Mike Kepferle, Treasurer
Mike is the son of a geologist who instilled in him a deep love of the earth, waterways, flora, and fauna. He served as a Naval Flight Officer for ten years, eventually moving from Washington state to St. Mary’s County, Maryland in 1984. There, he joined a small defense software and systems integration firm during which time Mike became a corporate Vice President serving on the board of directors. When that company was sold, he started and led his own business, developing aviation and simulator software and systems for the Navy and Marine Corps for the next 18 years. He also founded and led several nonprofits including the National Meningitis Association, and spearheaded efforts to improve immunization laws in over thirty states in less than four years. In 2017 he moved to Port Tobacco. Mike
is now semi-retired and focused on improving the Port Tobacco River watershed for the enjoyment of all, especially his many children and grandchildren.
Missy Simonson, Secretary
Missy Simonson is a recent addition to the Port Tobacco community, though she has proudly called Southern Maryland home for over 40 years. With a professional background in both education and mental health, Missy brings a deep commitment to community well-being and environmental stewardship. She has a passion for the outdoors and especially enjoys spending time on the water—whether kayaking with her sisters, boating with friends and family, or conducting water quality monitoring at Mallows Bay. She is an active volunteer in local cleanup efforts along the Potomac River, contributing her time and energy to help preserve the natural beauty of the region she loves.
Jim McWilliams, Director
Jim McWilliams has been volunteering for PTRC since 2022 helping with water quality monitoring in Port Tobacco. Jim and his spouse Randi live on the Port Tobacco River shore next to the marina and they both enjoy boating and fishing as often as possible. Jim is retired from a 34-year Federal career working in IT for various Navy activities as well as contracts for services to many other Federal agencies. Retired 11 years Jim continues to provide IT support to small businesses, charities, and individuals. Jim enjoys living on the river and donating time and effort to keeping our waterways clean and safe for all.
Howard Dent, Director
Howard Dent is a retired educator with 45 years of experience and a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and civic engagement in Charles County. He currently serves as Secretary for both the 4th and 5th Democratic Club of Charles County and the Banks O’Dee Citizens Association, and volunteers as a Monitor for The Charles County Conservancy. Howard is also a dedicated water sample collector for the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and has served as an Oyster Gardener with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for over 25 years. He lives in Southern Maryland with his wife, Nancy Schertler.
Shellie Perrie, Director
Shellie loves the water! She has been exploring the tributaries of the Potomac River for the last 40 years. Shellie is a graduate of UMD with a BS in Natural Resources and Conservation. She was a utilities biologist for 20 years doing water sampling and fish studies. She’s run science based programs for the county’s homeschool community and is a part time environmental educator. Shellie is the Recreation Chair of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. As owner of Atlantic Kayak Company, her passion is to get as many people as possible out on the water in order to grow awareness and appreciation of the flora and fauna of our tributaries. “There’s nothing left to do but paddle, paddle, paddle.”