WV Rivers Staff
Angie Rosser
Angie joined WVRC as the Executive Director in 2012, bringing a background of working in West Virginia on social justice issues in the non-profit sector. Her experience involves policy advocacy, community organizing, coalition building and program administration. Angie has been swimming in rivers and lakes as long as she can remember. She grew up near the Ohio River, where it was and still is unthinkable to swim safely. She now lives along the banks of the Elk River, and enjoys swimming and boating in it and many of West Virginia’s waters. Her motivation for clean water advocacy is personal; she wants to be able to swim in her backyard river. Her motivation is also political; she believes everyone has a right to enjoy clean water and that conservation of our water resources is central to a shared prosperity. Angie holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA in Organizational Communication from West Virginia University.
Autumn Leah Crowe
Autumn grew up swimming and fishing in the waters of the Greenbrier River where she gained her love of nature and desire to protect the environment. She obtained a BS in Environmental Protection and a MS in Soil Science from West Virginia University. Her experience as an environmental scientist includes wetland delineations, environmental site assessments, and permitting. Autumn also served as the Environmental Coordinator for an Alaska Native Tribe and later worked for a nonprofit providing technical assistance and training to Tribal environmental programs state-wide. After 5 years in Alaska, she served as the Environmental Director for a Nevada Tribe. Autumn returned home to West Virginia in 2015 and combines the skills she gained while working out-of-state with her love and knowledge of West Virginia to protect the State’s valuable rivers and headwater streams. When not working, Autumn enjoys activities that allow her to spend time outdoors whether its hunting, fishing, hiking or biking.
Jenna Dodson
Jenna fell in love with rivers during her university studies. She spent countless sunrises rowing and studying birds along the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, she holds a B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Studies, with a minor in music. She believes that clean water is a human right, and that value guides her work. From an eager Peace Corps Volunteer writing grants for community gardens to conducting water quality monitoring trainings as the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream state coordinator, she has found that community engagement is key. As the Staff Scientist, she will capitalize on these skills to help ensure all West Virginians can drink water from safe sources and recreate in clean rivers and streams. When not working, she can usually be found rock climbing, trail running, biking, playing piano or teaching acroyoga.
Mike Jones
Mike joins WV Rivers with multiple experiences in environmental and public lands advocacy. Mike is a West Virginian “by choice” having fallen in love with the beauty of the state and its rivers and public lands. He will be working on public lands advocacy, legislative initiatives to protect public lands, and coordinating the West Virginians for Public Lands Alliance. Mike formerly practiced law; has a Master’s degree from West Virginia University; and is a Ph.D. candidate at WVU writing his dissertation on environmental policy in Appalachia while teaching undergrad classes including environmental policy. Mike is based in Morgantown, where he lives with his wife and their cat. He enjoys hiking along the Mon River (only blocks from his house) and in West Virginia’s public parks and recreation areas.
Morgan King
Born and raised in Charleston, Morgan returned home to West Virginia eager to put her international environmental education into practice through advocacy for climate action across the state. As a 2019 Marshall Scholar, Morgan completed an MPhil in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Environmental Systems Engineering from University College London. Her previous research and work centered around improving clean water and energy access. In 2018, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to Spain, where she introduced Model United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals to high schoolers. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with her dog, Luna, and playing soccer and tennis.
Kate Leary
Prior to joining West Virginia Rivers in 2021, Kate has worked for Philanthropy West Virginia as a Program and Engagement Coordinator, Friends of Blackwater Canyon as an Executive Assistant and Outreach Staffer, and the West Virginia Environmental Council as a lobbyist.
Kate has a Masters Degree from the University of Montana and a Bachelors Degree from Allegheny College, both in Environmental Studies. She will be working on day to day operations and grants to support West Virginia Rivers mission of conserving and restoring West Virginia’s exceptional rivers and streams.
Heather Sprouse
Heather is a sixth-generation West Virginian and small farm owner from Putnam County. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Sociology from Marshall University where she focused on community and leadership development. During her time at Marshall, Heather led student organizing efforts to “green” the University. Before joining WV Rivers, Heather managed an agricultural business developing high tunnel, apiary and orchard projects. At WV Rivers, Heather is connecting with communities and building collaborations to advocate for clean water and well-being throughout the Ohio River Valley. Outside of work, Heather enjoys hiking, swimming and spending time in her gardens.
Administrative Support
