Meet the Ashtabula Board of Supervisors




Any person 18 years or older residing within the boundaries of Ashtabula County may petition to participate as a SWCD supervisor candidate.


If you are interested in becoming a SWCD Supervisor, here are some of the responsibilities you would have once elected:
- Attend a meeting at least monthly to carry out official duties of your office
- Understand Section 940 of the Ohio Revised Code, OSWCD law statutes
- Stay informed and up to date with the state and federal agencies we work with
- Be familiar with the land and water conditions within Ashtabula County and best management practices required to conserve and develop its natural resources
- Arrange for help and cooperation needed to SWCD goals and objectives
- Hire capable employees to carry out daily duties of the district
- Responsibly manage all funds, facilities, and equipment belonging to the district
- Demonstrate leadership and proper ethics



Here are our current Supervisors

  Robin   Dan   Doc   Wendell   Ron
Robin Boggs Dan Decker Dr. Paul Mechling Wendell Obernyer Ron Smoker
         

Robin and Debbie Boggs began Alfa Creek Farms in Andover, Ohio in 1977.  They along with son Randy and daughter Niki farm 450 acres and milk cows with approximately replacement heifers. 
Past conservation practices include construction of waterways, a waste storage facility, thousands of feet of drainage tile, expanded their dairy and implemented an easement to protect their property in the years to come. Robin was a member of the Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District Board from 1982 to 1987.  While on the board he served as Secretary and Chairman. 
On July 2006 he was appointed by the commission to fill the unexpired term of Brian Miller and is currently serving as Secretary of the Board of Supervisors. 

Dan and wife Shelley reside in Pierpont Township on approximately 250 acres.  Dan is retired from the Crystal Corporation in Ashtabula Township.  For 30 years, Dan milked cows at the corner of State Route 7 and Scrambling Road.  When the cows were sold, he continued growing hay on the tillable cropland.  Later, he took 50 acres of land and planted miscanthus.  Dan also has a passion for wildlife.  He has worked with this office and the Division of Wildlife and has restored approximately 60 acres of wetland for wildlife habitat and water quality reasons.  He is an active member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association.

 Dr. Paul P. Mechling, II, DVM is a retired veterinarian residing in Pierpont Township, Ashtabula County. Mechling and his wife Joanne operate the 415 acre Snowy Oak Tree Farm where they have implemented numerous conservation practices. He also currently manages the 340 acre family farm with his brother located near Thornville. Wal-Mec Farms produces grain and timber.
In addition to the Ashtabula SWCD BOS, Dr, Mechling also serves on the Ohio Forestry Advisory Council and the Ohio Wildlife Council. He has been a state-wide, award-winning presence in a variety of conservation councils. In 2020, Mechling received ODNR’s Cardinal Award as one of Ohio’s outstanding conservationists. The Mechling’s have two children, Sarah and Noah, and four grandchildren. Mechling is a strong advocate of Aldo Leopold’s Land ethic and stresses Leopold’s statement “that when man and land are in harmony we have conservation."

 

Wendell has served on the Board of Supervisors to the Ashtabula SWCD for 11 years.
He was born and raised on the family dairy farm, Lovedale Farms, in Jefferson. While the Brown Swiss dairy cows left the farm in 1990, Wendell still makes hay and pastures Hereford and Pinzgauers for beef. He retired from the US Postal Service as a city carrier after 34 year. Active in his community, Wendell has served over 30 years on the Jefferson Township Zoning Board and is a member of St. Joseph Church in Jefferson. He and his wife Joanne have 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

Ron started his time with Ashtabula SWCD as an Associate Supervisor in 1999 and has been a full Board member since 2006.
Born and raised in Lake County, he moved to Austinburg in 1983. Ron is the owner/operator of  Geneva Materials. Prior to this, he was owner/operator of Smoker & Son Timber Dealers, where he was a third generation  hardwood lumber dealer and manufacturer. He is a founding member and past president of the Northeast Ohio Loggers Chapter and former trustee and past president of the Ravinewood HOA.
He resides with Patricia, his wife of 51 years, and a Welsh Corgi. Their son, Matthew, lives in Avon, Ohio.