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We are a Coalition of Concerned Citizens and Community, National, and State Groups who support the SPC mission:
MISSION AND VISION
Through education, advocacy, and policy, the mission of the Sussex Preservation Coalition is to increase the effectiveness of groups and individuals working in Sussex County to promote resiliency, sustainability, and climate adaptation; and to preserve natural habitats for the well-being of all communities.
We envision a Sussex County whose policies and practices make it a national model for sustainable healthy, ecologically diverse, climate-positive living for all communities.
Our goals include:
Forest and wetland preservation
Increasing renewable, nature-based practices
Ensuring clean waterways with healthy and abundant populations of fish and wildlife
Mitigation of the effects of severe weather events
​​Board of Directors​​
President - Jill Hicks
Jill became active in advocating for the preservation of Sussex County, Delaware, when a 110-acre mature forest full of wetlands located behind her home became the target for a large development. She organized neighbors and others in the surrounding area to oppose the application. Through that loss, she became acutely aware that there are no protections for forests or wetlands in Sussex County. While participating in a rally, “Enough is Enough,” Jill met Jane Gruenebaum. Driven by their mutual concern for environmental and social injustices, Jane and Jill founded the Sussex Preservation Coalition.Jill is a graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. in Music Education. Right out of college, Jill’s career began with Wawa, Inc. where she progressed through the organization as a Store Manager, Real Estate Manager, Director of Purchasing and Coffee Procurement, and Director of Marketing and Supply Chain Information Technology. Before permanently retiring, she had the privilege of teaching elementary and middle school music. A dream realized and treasured.“One of the joys of my life has been bringing people together. Whether it be to sing a song, or to stand up for what’s right, the collective energy of people working together is powerful and rewarding.”
Jill became active in advocating for the preservation of Sussex County, Delaware, when a 110-acre mature forest full of wetlands located behind her home became the target for a large development. She organized neighbors and others in the surrounding area to oppose the application. Through that loss, she became acutely aware that there are no protections for forests or wetlands in Sussex County. While participating in a rally, “Enough is Enough,” Jill met Jane Gruenebaum. Driven by their mutual concern for environmental and social injustices, Jane and Jill founded the Sussex Preservation Coalition.
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Jill is a graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. in Music Education. Right out of college, Jill’s career began with Wawa, Inc. where she progressed through the organization as a Store Manager, Real Estate Manager, Director of Purchasing and Coffee Procurement, and Director of Marketing and Supply Chain Information Technology. Before permanently retiring, she had the privilege of teaching elementary and middle school music. A dream realized and treasured.
“One of the joys of my life has been bringing people together. Whether it be tosing a song, or to stand up for what’s right, the collective energy of people working together is powerful and rewarding.”
Secretary - Margaret McLaughlin
Maggie is a retired Licensed Clinical Social worker who lives with her wife and pup outside of Rehoboth. She joined SPC because she wants to preserve trees and advocate for environmental sustainability in Sussex County.
Maggie is a Sussex County Master Gardener where she serves on the HOA Committee and co-chairs the Meadow Demonstration Garden. She is also a Delaware Tree Steward and native plant advocate. Her passions include teaching others about native plants, designing native plant gardens, and raising monarch butterflies.
Treasurer - Judy Rose Seibert
Judy Rose Seibert has a BS in Biological Science. Shortly after college, she coauthored a Stewardship Master Plan for a Nature Conservancy preserve in Maryland. She has co-taught plant identification classes for the USDA Graduate School. Starting with Sussex2030, she has attended many County Council and Planning & Zoning hearings and has testified before each of them. As a devoted birdwatcher for 50 years, she is an advocate for responsible growth, which preserves as much habitat as possible for Sussex County’s flora & fauna. She is a founding member of SPC.
Board Member - Mary Boggi
Mary Boggi is currently a supply chain director for a major distributor of gasses and welding supplies. In her free time, Mary enjoys walking the beach and the many trails in Sussex County. Her love of the natural beauty and resources in this area, led Mary to attend several Sussex Preservation Coalition meetings. In time, Mary was asked to join the board, where her operational background will help with fundraising and project management.
"To be asked to join the SPC board, with the caliber of people on the board, is an honor and privilege. This is a can-do organization!"
Board Member - Rich Borrasso
Rich Borrasso is retired and living in Milton with his wife, Sandy. He brings a wealth of strategic planning experience from 44 years in the consumer goods industry holding executive management positions at several Fortune 500 companies. Rich has actively been engaged and participated in the 2018 Sussex County Comprehensive planning process and in 2017 Rich co-founded the Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth- SARG, a non-partisan Alliance to inform, educate and engage the citizens of Sussex County as to the critical importance of the development, adoption and implementation of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan. Rich was a member of the 2020 Sussex County Wetlands Work Group contributing to the successful adoption of an updated Wetlands Buffer Ordinance. In 2022, Rich became a Board Member at Large for the Sussex County Preservation Coalition where he devotes personal time on raising awareness and public engagement on critical issues pertaining to land use, infrastructure and natural resource preservation.
Board Member - Pam Cole
Pam holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy and a 30 year Information Technology career in local government. Environmental causes have been a long standing priority for her. Now retired, she spent her career applying her skills in IT toward environmental and public health projects. ​
"It is my honor and pleasure to work with the talented and dedicated SPC Board Members and citizens of Sussex County to improve quality of life for humans and our natural world".
Board Member - Joe Pika
Joe Pika is a retired professor and Associate Dean at the University of Delaware where he completed thirty-five years teaching and writing about American politics. During his career, he worked extensively with state government and served as a member and president of the State Board of Education as well as on many education-related committees and task forces. He now serves on the Merit Employee Relations Board, a state body responsible for enforcing Delaware's merit rules covering state employees.
Board Member - Valerie Wood
Val has degrees in Animal Science and Regulatory Affairs with 38 years of experience in research and scientific writing for international drug applications. She became involved with local environmental issues when the first 7-11 was proposed at Angola Road in 2019 and her path naturally led her to join Sussex Preservation Coalition.
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"My experience with pharmaceuticals released in the environment gives me a great scientific background for environmental issues. I appreciate how dependent we are on trees and the smallest animals in the food chain. I have respect for every animal in the food chain and every tree keeping humans alive."