The Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD) is a part of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, which is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. The district is comprised of five board members (three elected and two appointed) and three staff members.

The Board usually meets at 6:00 PM on the Fourth Tuesday of every month.  The meetings are open to the public.  Call 704-336-2455 for information. 

GRAY NEWMAN
CHAIRMAN
Elected Board Supervisor

Mr. Newman is serving his second term on the board, being first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.  He is an (almost) native of Mecklenburg, having moved here at age 2 and is a graduate of Independence High School in Mint Hill, NC.  He is also a graduate of Central Piedmont Community College and UNC-Charlotte.  Gray has a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Historic Preservation from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Contact information:
mecksoilandwater@aol.com

704-609-3160

JENNIFER KRUPOWICZ
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Elected Board Supervisor

(No Photo Available)

How long have you been with the District:  Employed August 2000-June 2002, Associate Supervisor from February 2003 through November 2004 and elected to the board in 2004.

Why did you decide to run for the Board of Supervisors?  I felt that my background of being a District employee could be useful to the Board. I also have a strong commitment to the education of our citizens so that they can make informed choices about our natural resources.

Where do you see the District in five years?  I see the District moving away from its agricultural focus. While it's important to use the lessons learned from our agricultural history, it is important to change with the shift in land uses. The District can be a key player in providing current and technical information to citizens regarding our natural resources. People want to be responsible stewards of our environment; the District can provide them with the knowledge so they are successful.

What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Board of MSWCD?  I hope to bring a unique perspective to the board by being a former employee. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the development of educational programs for Mecklenburg County citizens.

Personal information:  I am a Certified Associate Professional Soil Scientist. I am also a graduate of Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!

Contact information:
JKrupowicz@ci.charlotte.nc.us

JOHN AUTRY
Elected Board Supervisor

I was elected to the board in the 2006.

Conservation of our natural resources is everyone's business. It is also every citizen's responsibility.  All of us live downstream from someone.

I decided to run for the Board of Supervisors because I wanted to coordinate efforts between residents, agencies and business to protect our environment.

As a filmmaker who works in eLearning there seemed to be a synergy between my skill sets and where the position could be headed.  Extending the outreach to schools and community groups is my main goal.  Working to develop and create ways to better engage the public. As conservation challenges in Mecklenburg County assume an urban face we need to be prepared to protect our natural resources and that can start at home and extend into our neighborhoods and businesses. We need long range plans. I wish to play a part in making this community a better place to leave behind for my children and grandchildren.

I have been a resident of Mecklenburg County since 1982, and I am a native North Carolinian.

My interest in conservation concerns goes back to my years in Scouting. 

Contact information:
SWCD@JohnAutry.net

MICHAEL ENTREKIN
Appointed Board Supervisor 

Mr. Entrekin is serving his first term, being appointed in 2008.  He is a native of Rock Hill, SC and moved to Charlotte in 1997.  He graduated from the University of South Carolina and has a Masters in Environmental Health Science.  His thesis was titled "Storm Flowpaths and Biogeochemistry of a Karst Stream in Southwest Georgia".

Contact information:
MGEntrekin@yahoo.com

How long have you been with the District?  I am new to the board, and I was officially sworn in on May 18, 2007.

Why did you decide to become a part of the Board of Supervisors?  My volunteer and professional work in the areas of sustainability led me to want to get more involved locally.

Where do you see the District in five years?  In five years, I would like to see Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District well-known among the residents of Mecklenburg County.  We have the opportunity to improve the quality of our neighborhoods and public places in ways that are sustainable, and add value to the city as a whole.

What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Board of MSWCD?  As an educator/ administrator, I hope to increase effectiveness and utilization of the Urban Cost Share Program.

Personal information: I am from High Point, NC originally.  I am a graduate of Davidson College.  I am a Financial Advisor who deals with Socially Responsible investing.  I am a member of United Way's Economic Independence Council.

Hobbies/Interests: My hobbies include art (especially painting), live music, and museum events.  My interests include energy efficiency, sustainability, and cinema.

Contact information:
Marcus.L.Williams@gmail.com