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Our Team
We have two, part-time employees who work together with our board and our many community partners to keep our organization moving forward. The strategy, the sweat, and the time by the creek, all contribute to the success of the Piney Creek Watershed Association.
Meet The Employees
Brittany Chaber
Executive Director
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Brittany is originally from Richmond, Virginia, and has lived in Fayetteville since 2014. Brittany was originally drawn to the area for weekend rock climbing trips during her undergraduate career at Virginia Commonwealth University. She quickly fell in love with the area, the local community, and the many outdoor recreation opportunities. She and her husband, Sam Chaber, met in Fayetteville in 2011. They spent some time traveling for Sam’s career and finally made their way back to the New River Gorge area in 2014. Brittany has spent the last 6 years as a special education teacher for Fayette County Schools. During that time, she has been an active volunteer for two non-profit organizations – the New River Alliance of Climbers and Fayette Trail Coalition. She loves rallying local volunteers and working with others to improve the local community. She hopes to use her educational background in combination with her volunteer experience to continue Piney Creek’s mission to improve and protect water quality. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her trail running, mountain biking, or rock climbing.
Jim Fedders
Associate Director
Jim and his wife Barbara are originally from northern Kentucky and have lived in Beckley for over 30 years. Jim worked as an ecologist at the USDA-ARS research center in Beaver before retiring in 2012. Since then, Jim has worked in higher education at New River Community and Technical College, Concord University, and WVU Tech. Jim has served Piney Creek Watershed Association as a board member, Associate Director, and Executive Director. Jim has managed a variety of remediation projects ranging from wetland restoration at Woodrow Wilson High School and revegetation of barren areas along New River Drive to wetland restoration at the Shady Spring Library. Jim has always enjoyed the outdoors and loves the streams and woodlands of West Virginia. He continues to be amazed at the scenic beauty our area has to offer. He hopes that more people will take advantage of the growing local trail systems to experience, appreciate, and be moved to preserve and protect the natural treasure of the Piney Creek Watershed.