Winyah Rivers Alliance Team

STAFF:

Debra Buffkin, Executive Director

Debra had the ideal upbringing in South Carolina to instill the love of nature in her heart. Her family home is on the Little Pee Dee River in Marion County, and the family farm is in rural Horry County. Each has taught her to love and appreciate the Earth and all its inhabitants. Debra is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies – Environmental Policy and Legal Studies and a Minor in Environmental Studies. She completed an Environmental Studies program and an Internship with the Washington Internship Institute in Washington, DC. Debra is a notary public with an extensive background in nonprofit organizations and legal services. She is a proud mother of two and a member of the Horry Chapter of Wildlife Action, Inc., the Mullins Lions Club, and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Nichols. Debra is adamant about protecting our Winyah River systems and keeping them fishable, swimmable, and drinkable for future generations.

Contact Debra… ExecutiveDirector@winyahrivers.org

Preston Kelly, Waccamaw Riverkeeper

Preston was born and raised in Darlington County, allowing him to fish and explore the Lynches, Wateree, and Santee river systems growing up. Preston notes that he was fortunate to be able to have an upbringing that allowed him access to and develop a love for our local waterways. Preston is a graduate of Coastal Carolina with an MS in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (BS Marine Science. His interests are protecting, conserving, and advocating for measures to ensure healthy, fresh, and saltwater systems. Preston’s plans for the future include attending law school to pursue an Environmental Law Degree.

Contact Preston… Riverkeeper@winyahrivers.org

Jefferson Currie II, Lumber Riverkeeper

Jeff joined Winyah Rivers in August 2018 to watch over the Lumber River watershed in North and South Carolina. In November 2018, Jeff officially became the Lumber Riverkeeper. Jeff is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and a native North Carolinian. Jeff has a BA in American Indian Studies from UNC-Pembroke and has completed the coursework for a Master of Arts in Folklore at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Contact Jeff… LumberRK@winyahrivers.org

Erin Donmoyer, Black-Sampit Riverkeeper

Erin joined Winyah Rivers in March 2022 to watch over the Black River and Sampit River watersheds in South Carolina and, in June 2022, became a licensed Riverkeeper. Erin’s programs include community engagement in water quality monitoring, river cleanup efforts, advocacy to prevent pollution, and land conservation partnerships, including our Rocky Point Community Forest property and the broader Black River Water Trail and State Park Network. Before over two decades in the far north of Alaska and Vermont, she grew up in South Carolina, exploring the rivers and cypress swamps near her family farm on the banks of the Old Pee Dee River. Erin is a graduate of Alaska Pacific University, holding double BS degrees in Environmental Science and Marine Biology.

Contact Erin… BlackSampitrk@winyahrivers.org

Dylan Coleman, Pee Dee Rivers/Lynches Rivers Project Coordinator

Dylan is a native of South Carolina, where he grew up along the Great Pee Dee River in Marion County. He is a Coastal Carolina University alumnus, graduating in 2021 with a BA in History. Dylan also completed a minor in Pre-law and has plans to pursue a degree and career in law.

Dylan serves as the spokesperson for the Great Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee, and Lynches Rivers. Dylan will coordinate community projects for water quality monitoring and river and landing cleanups. He will also lead education and advocacy efforts on the Pee Dee and Lynches River watersheds.

Contact Dylan… PeeDeeLynchesPC@winyahrivers.org

Gina Suggs, Executive Assistant

Gina has a wonderful and very diverse 40-year professional background, including roles as office manager, financial service representative, bookkeeper, operations clerk, orthodontic assistant, private school secretary, and Orthodontic/Dental Assistant. Each position has strengthened her abilities in financial management, office coordination, and building strong client relationships. Outside the office, Gina finds balance and inspiration in the outdoors. She enjoys spending time in nature camping with her husband, Dale, and their family. Gina’s belief that clear, positive communication is essential to overcoming challenges. She is proud to bring her wide-ranging experience to Winyah Rivers Alliance, where her professional skills align with her personal passion for protecting and preserving natural resources.

ExecutiveAssistant@winyahrivers.org

Christine Ellis, Advisor

After joining Winyah Rivers in August 2006 as Waccamaw Riverkeeper, Christine devoted many years of dedicated service to Winyah Rivers Alliance in other leadership capacities, as Deputy Director and Executive Director. Christine now volunteers her time and expertise as an Advisor to the organization. Christine’s input continues to remain vital to our mission to protect, preserve, monitor, and revitalize the health of the lands and waters of the greater Winyah Bay watershed. Christine has an MS in Environmental Management and a BS in Zoology (Biology). Christine became an advisor in January 2025.

Contact Christine…christine@winyahrivers.org

CONTRACTORS:

Dan Scheffing, Contract Forester

Dan is a registered professional forester, a member of the South Carolina Forestry Association and the Society of American Foresters. With extensive experience in forestry and wildland management, Dan serves as our contract forester at Winyah Rivers Alliance’s Rocky Point Community Forest on the Black River.

Riverkeeper Intern: Because of our close relationship with Coastal Carolina University and the location of our office at the Coastal Science Center, we welcome college students to intern with us and to assist in implementing our mission. We are happy to help train the next generation of conservation leaders!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

President – Dan Hitchcock of Pawleys Island, SC

Vice President – Richard Moore of Pawleys Island, SC

Treasurer – OPEN

Secretary – Amy Hill of Conway, SC

Tom Badgett of Conway, SC

April Cain of Whiteville, NC

Reggie Daves of Conway, SC

Betty Gause of Conway, SC

David Shane Lowry of Lumberton, NC

Dana Shields of North Myrtle Beach, SC

Amelia Wood of Conway, SC

Stacey Proctor of Conway, SC

We are grateful to these Board members and their predecessors since 2001 who have led our nonprofit and realized many successes protecting, preserving, monitoring and revitalizing the health of the lands and waters of our greater Winyah Bay watershed.

We invite you to join us! Please complete the linked form, Board Member Responsibilities and Application.

Contact our Board of Directors…WinyahRivers@winyahrivers.org

STAFF:

CONTRACTORS:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Winyah Rivers Alliance

sign up for our newsletter