Staff Profiles
Adrienne Bock
Adrienne Bock is the Outreach Technician at Stark Soil & Water Conservation District, focusing on storm water education. She provides programming throughout the county and works with local organizations to reach as many residents as possible. In addition to her storm water responsibilities, Adrienne facilitates the Envirothon for Stark County, manages the District’s social media channels, and represents the District at local events. If your organization is interested in programming, please contact Adrienne to learn more about our offerings.
Adrienne graduated from the University of Mount Union with a B.S. in Environmental Science. As a 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and Envirothon participant, Adrienne developed an early interest in agriculture and natural resources. Her hobbies include succulent gardening, playing video games, and spending as much time outside as possible.
Matthew Ferrel
Matthew Ferrel has worked at Stark Soil & Water Conservation District since 2015 as Storm Water Technician. Matthew inspects active construction sites to ensure the contractors are following the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, the key document to ensure sediment stays on site and out of waterways. Matthew also helps with illicit discharge investigation, outfall inspections, and conservation education.
Matthew earned a degree in geology from Mount Union College. He enjoys creek creatures and spending time with his family.
Jay Jordan
Jay Jordan is the Natural Resources Technician with Stark Soil & Water Conservation District. Jay is responsible for helping farmers and land owners better manage their natural resources through technical guidance and administering financial cost-share programs such as the Muskingum Watershed Cover Crop Program. Jay is passionate about soil health and enjoys helping others in the pursuit of their passion with the natural word.
Jay received his B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources from Ohio State University. Jay has worked previously for Ohio State Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and other government agencies. Jay enjoys spending his off time exploring the outdoors and sharing his fishing stories.
Rome Marinelli
Rome Marinelli is the Drainage Specialist at Stark Soil & Water Conservation District, where he is responsible for assisting county property owners with advice and technical guidance as it relates to off-road drainage (anything outside of the road right-of-way/on private property). Rome works with residents, business owners, Township staff and officials, County staff and officials, other governmental agencies, and other organizations as it relates to drainage. Rome assists property owners with issues ranging from soggy yards to ponding water in backyard to erosion and streamside maintenance (and everywhere in between).
Rome is a proud graduate of Kent State University. Rome brought the Master Rain Gardener Certification Course to the county and leads the program. Rome enjoys working with the public to implement green infrastructure to manage drainage issues while beautifying our community.
Sarah E. Matheny
Sarah E. Matheny is the District’s Storm Water Manager. She manages MS4 contracts with 17 communities and Stark County. She supervises two storm water inspectors and reviews and approves storm water pollution prevention plans for projects that disturb an acre or more. She has taught plan reviews, erosion and sediment control inspections, individual lot controls, and other topics locally and at a state level. Before becoming Storm Water Manager, she was the District’s first Drainage Specialist.
Sarah earned a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Environmental Studies from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She has had a rich and diverse career in the environmental field, having served as an Interpretive Park Naturalist, Aquatic Biologist, Environmental Consultant/Bat Biologist, Water Quality/GIS Technician, and Environmental Chemist. She is an avid birder, enjoys hiking and spending time with her family.
Taylor Noble
Taylor Noble is the Storm Water Specialist at Stark Soil & Water Conservation District. She conducts site inspections to ensure compliance with storm water quality regulations, assists on post construction inspections, reviews storm water pollution prevention plans and assists with organizing and inspecting outfalls throughout Stark County. She also assists with storm water education and drainage issues as necessary.
Taylor earned her Associates of Applied Science in GeoEnvironmental Science at Hocking College. She previously worked for Wayne Soil & Water Conservation District as its Nutrient Management Specialist, first working alongside farmers to assist with managing farm best management practices, then as a Water Resources Specialist assisting landowners, homeowners and contractors with stormwater and/or water quality concerns. Taylor spends her free time hiking at Mohican State Park and Hocking Hills, kayaking the Mohican River, and rock picking wherever rocks are found.
John S. Weedon
John S. Weedon is the Executive Director of Stark Soil & Water Conservation District. Since 2017, he has directed a staff of 6 conservation professionals, managed a half million-dollar budget, overseen a fleet of four vehicles, and administered the District’s four core program areas: Agriculture/Natural Resources, Conservation Education, Drainage, and Storm Water. In 2021, the Stark SWCD was named District of the Year.
John holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois. Prior to coming to the District, he was the conservation manager for Connecticut Farmland Trust. He owns a dairy farm in Geauga county, which has been in his family since 1948. Outside of work and his farm, he enjoys hiking, birding, riding trains, reading, watching Shakespeare plays, and winning Nerf gun battles.