Board of Directors – WV Rivers

West Virginia Rivers Board of Directors

Mac Thornton (Chair), an avid kayaker since the 1970’s, became increasingly concerned about the state of West Virginia’s rivers. That led him to be a co-founder of WVRC in 1989, and he served as Chair of the Board until 1998. After a gap of 23 years, he rejoined the Board in 2021. In the gap, he co-founded the Potomac Conservancy and served as its Chair, and he also served 18 years, including as Chair, of Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Mac is a former Federal white collar crime prosecutor, and lives in Maryland near Washington, D.C., spending a lot of time at a second home in Canaan Valley. His wife Molly is a former member of the U.S. Whitewater Team, and they have two kids adopted from Russia, both of whom are now in college. Mac looks forward to helping WVRC expand on its many successes!

Favorite rivers: Laurel Fork of the Cheat, Upper Gauley, and Big Sandy.

Shawn Romano (Vice-Chair), a native West Virginian, resides in Charleston where he is a practicing attorney. Shawn learned his love of the outdoors at a very young age from his grandfather; who would take him fishing and exploring in the woods along the West Fork River in Lewis County. His enjoyment of paddling moving water began in Morgantown while he was a student, and continues to this day. Shawn spends most of his river time on the Greenbrier River, and has paddled it’s entire length. His time on the Greenbrier has reinforced his belief that strong, vibrant ecosystems rely on a foundation of clean water. He is most proud to have passed his love of rivers on to his daughters, Sophia and Isabella, both of whom enjoy spending time on the river.

Favorite River: Greenbrier.

Stephen Estrada (Treasurer) developed a passion for kayaking during his time working throughout Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. Stephen has experience working in financial services and healthcare. He now lives in Morgantown with his wife, Jaime and one year old daughter, Stella. When not kayaking, you will find Stephen and his family riding bikes up and down Deckers Creek Trail or hiking and climbing around Cheat Canyon.

Favorite WV River: Cheat River.

Ed Gertler (Secretary) is a retired engineer with Maryland Department of the Environment, Water Management Administration, where he worked from 1970 to 2013. He has been an accomplished whitewater canoeist for nearly 50 years, and is the author of three paddling guidebooks and contributor to others. He is also an avid hiker, biker, contradancer, and weed warrior.

Favorite WV River: Smoke Hole Canyon, South Branch of the Potomac

Paul Breuer is a whitewater rafting industry pioneer. In 1973 he formed Mountain River Tours and became the first outfitter to run the Gauley River. Through his innovation, leadership and vision he provided and opportunity for millions to experience outdoor adventure activities.

Favorite WV River: Gauley for whitewater, Upper New for family floating, Cranberry above Woodbine for fly fishing, Dries of the New River for spectacular scenery

Ben Hawkins is originally from Parkersburg WV and deeply understands the value of clean, safe water. As a child, he tagged along with his father who maintained municipal wastewater and freshwater systems across the Mid-Ohio Valley. After several friends and family faced cancers and ulcerative colitis later in life, he became a passionate advocate for communities impacted by PFAS contamination. When he’s not thinking about PFAS, he is creating social impact campaigns for foundations and nonprofit organizations focused on improving public health.

Jennifer Sass is an avid whitewater kayaker, rafter, cross-country-skier and fireside chatter. She was born in upstate New York. Following her father’s military service and graduate studies, the family relocated to Saskatchewan, Canada where Jennifer grew up. She made her way back to the U.S. for her own graduate studies in environmental and occupational health, and has lived in this region ever since. Jennifer works as a scientist to advance safer chemical policies and practices that protect the health of our waterways and wild spaces, and the people and animals that depend on them. Jennifer resides in Maryland with her husband and two cats.Favorite WV River: The Cheat Canyon in spring, and the Gauley in Fall.