John Lorson became Wayne SWCD’s District Program Administrator in 2022. The lifetime Wayne County resident worked “south of the border” in Holmes County for 14 years, previously with Holmes SWCD as a Conservation Specialist.  A graduate of The University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, John spent the first half of his career as an engineering technician with the City of Orrville dealing with planning, zoning and storm water issues until returning to his alma mater to work as a college administrator, serving as Coordinator of the UA Millersburg Campus.  Area residents may also recognize John from his columns that have run in local newspapers each week for the past 26 years: “Rail Trail Naturalist” is an outdoors/nature/natural history column accompanied by his own photography, and “Drawing Laughter” is a family humor column illustrated by his wife, Kristin. John commutes by bicycle between work in Wooster and home in Orrville where he and Kristin raised their three children and actively parent a rescue mutt and a couple of cats. Reach John with questions, ideas or conservation concerns at 330-263-5376 or by email jlorson@wayneoh.org

Becca Schuch joined our team in May 2026. She graduated from Grace College with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and lives on her family’s grain farm in Shreve, Ohio. With a genuine passion for agriculture and natural resources, Becca is excited to partner with Wayne County producers and support their conservation goals. When she’s not out in the field, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing frisbee with her dog, Huckleberry. You can connect with Becca at rschuch@wayneohio.org.

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Ricky joined Wayne SWCD in 2022 as the Water Resources Specialist. He grew up  in Wadsworth, Ohio, and then attended the College of Wooster where  he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geoscience and a minor in Economics. Ricky developed a passion for the outdoors and conservation during his years in school. He enjoys working in a position where he can continue to pursue these interests as a part of his career. In his free time Ricky enjoys going on hikes, fishing, hanging out  with friends, and playing with his pets. Ricky can be contacted at 330-263-5376 or rpapay@wayneohio.org.

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We welcomed Ruthanne Bandy to our staff in 2026 as the Administrative Assistant. Ruthanne was born in Texas, grew up in Loudonville, attended college in Boston, studied abroad in Spain and Costa Rica, and worked on a farm outside of Columbus before moving to Wooster in 2022. Ruthanne enjoys collecting new hobbies and spending time with her cat, Ninja, and her dog, Suki. Ruthanne is available via email at rbandy@wayneohio.org.