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.

Contact Preston… Riverkeeper@winyahrivers.org

Dylan Coleman, Pee Dee Rivers/Lynches Riverkeeper

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 became a licensed Riverkeeper in early 2026. Dylan coordinates community projects for water quality monitoring and river and landing cleanups. He also leads education and advocacy efforts on the Pee Dee and Lynches River watersheds.

Contact Dylan… PeeDeeLynchesRK@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

Avalon Rosenberger, Water Quality Field Specialist

Avalon joined our team in late 2025 as the water quality field specialist. With her background in coastal and marine ecology, environmental education, and sustainable food systems, Avalon is excited about the opportunity to integrate experiential education into our conservation efforts. She holds a BS in Environmental Science, a BA in English and Comparative Literature, and a minor in Marine Science from UNC Chapel Hill. Avalon will play a vital role in our conservation efforts, working closely with the Black-Sampit Riverkeeper, Erin Donmoyer, on the new Black River State Park & Water Trail. You’ll primarily find her out in the field at Rocky Point Community Forest in Georgetown County, where she will be instrumental in monitoring and protecting our precious waters of the Winyah Bay Watershed.

Contact Avalon… waterqualityfs@winyahrivers.org

Christian Mincey, Executive Assistant

Christian joined Winyah Rivers Alliance in October 2026 as Executive Assistant. A senior at Coastal Carolina University studying forensic psychology, Christian supports the Executive Director and our Riverkeepers with communications, the website, events, volunteers, memberships and donor relations. Christian is excited to help more people in our community discover, enjoy and protect the rivers of the greater Winyah Bay watershed.

Contact Christian… 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

John “Duke” Erbland of Myrtle Beach, SC

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

Winyah Rivers Alliance Team

STAFF:

CONTRACTORS:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Winyah Rivers Alliance

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