Board of Directors

Scott Davis - Landscape Architect (Davis Design Group)

An Augusta native and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Scott has practiced landscape architecture locally since 1992 in his family's firm. Since joining the firm, Scott has been involved in park projects including ASU's Athletic Complex, Warren Road Park, and the redesigns for both Lake Olmstead and Patriots Parks. He has also worked on garden designs for the Riverwalk, the President's Home for MCG, and Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, to name a few. He is a member of Sigma Lambda Alpha, the National Exchange Club of Richmond County and the Order of Omega. Scott shares his love of the outdoors with his wife, Mary Fair, and their two children.

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Laura Sizelove-Farmer - Lawyer & Home Management

Born and raised in Elwood, Indiana, Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Science from the University of Notre Dame. Her work in pharmaceutical sales with Parke-Davis brought her to Augusta. She then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and received her law degree in 1997. Over the years, Laura has been an active member of many civic organizations, including the Notre Dame Alumni Club, US Sailing Association, Environmental Law Club, and National Resource Defense Council. She has also sat on the board of directors for Walton Rehabilitation and the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Her hobbies include skiing, golfing, and sailing. Laura and her husband, Jim, are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Augusta.  Laura now stays home, managing her four children: Hannah, Trey, Spencer, and Gabriella.

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Joey Hadden - Vice President (Phoenix Printing Group)

Born and raised in Augusta, Joey is the vice president of the south's oldest, family owned and operated printshop: Phoenix Printing Group. He has been with Phoenix for over 15 years and brings great graphics design and marketing expertise to the Board of Directors. Both through Phoenix and personally, Joey has been an active supporter of local land conservation for many years and is excited to join the Board of Directors to further that committment. Joey and his wife, Emily, have three boys: Blake, Brent, and Carter and live in North Augusta, SC. His hobbies include hunting and golf.

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Graham Hill - Financial Representative, Field Director (Northwestern Mutual)

Raised in Augusta, GA, Graham attended the University of Georgia, where he received his degree in Marketing in 2001.  After graduation, Graham returned to Augusta to begin his career with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.  Professionally, Graham has attained the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations.  In addition to his professional duties, Graham is also on board of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and attends Warren Baptist Church.  His hobbies include golf, just about any sporting event, cooking, and being outdoors.  Graham is excited about the impact the Land Trust is having and the positive imprint it is leaving on future generations.

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Chris Hitchcock - Partner (Hitch-n-Post)

Chris was born and raised in Augusta. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Covenant College, and upon graduating, worked as the youth pastor for First Presbyterian Church of Augusta. He currently owns a local business in Augusta's historic downtown district & serves on the board of the Augusta Metro YMCA. Chris's hobbies include golf, soccer, and pretty much anything he can do with his family. Chris and his wife, Kelly, are active members of First Presbyterian Church Augusta, and are very busy taking care of their four boys, Michael, Will, John Reid, and Watts.

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Alex Nixon - Forester & Land Broker (Nixon Land Co. & Mossy Oak Properties)

A native Augustan and graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in Forestry and Business, Alex served as a consulting forester with Nixon Land Company for 26 years. He is currently in the land brokerage business with Mossy Oak Properties of Augusta and is registered to practice forestry and licensed for real estate in Georgia and South Carolina. He is a fourth generation member of a family actively involved in real estate in and around Augusta for over 140 years. Presently, he is president of the Clinton Anderson Hospital Foundation and has been very active in his church. His hobbies are trains; riding them, collecting them, looking at them and reading anything he can get his hands on about history. He and his wife Markie live in Augusta with their three children.

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Karyn Nixon - Executive Assistant to the Mayor (Augusta-Richmond County)

Originally from Atlanta, Karyn comes to the Land Trust with financial and marketing experience. Holding a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia and having spent thirteen years in New York City working with Chase Manhattan Bank and Sullivan & Co., Karyn brings to the CSRLT a great deal of experience working with high net worth clientel. In addition to being active at her children's school, Karyn is the executive assistant to the mayor of Augusta where she is involved with the day-to-day running of the second largest city in Georgia. Karyn and her husband, John, live in Augusta with their two children, Caroline and Jack.

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Gary McMahan - Senior Vice President (Canal Wood, LLC)

A native of North Carolina, Gary carries a degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University. For the past 26 years, Gary has worked in the forest products industry. Currently, he works with the West Division of Canal Wood, located in Grovetown, Georgia. In addition to his involvement on the Land Trust board, Gary also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Forestry Association. His hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing. Gary and his wife Karen live in Evans with their daughters Michelle and Jennifer.

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Jeb Murray - Attorney (Warlick, Tritt, Stebbins, & Murray, LLP)

Jeb practices law with the Augusta firm Warlick, Tritt, Stebbins, & Murray, LLP, where he focuses primarily on business litigation. Prior to this practice, Jeb was a criminal prosecutor. Currently, Jeb serves on the board of directors for the Imperial Theatre and is in his second term as president of the board of directors of the Safe Homes/Domestic Violence Intervention Center. In addition to his board affiliations, Jeb is also on the Ethics Committee for the Gracewood State School and Hospital. He is an avid outdoorsman, with a special interest in botany and ornithology. He and his wife, Anne Catherine, live in Augusta with their two children, Sam and Quinn.

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Bert Pollard - Forester (Pollard Lumber Company)

Bert is an Augusta native and third-generation family businessman. Having earned both his Bachelors in Forestry and Masters in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia, Bert works with the Pollard Lumber Company as a registered forester. He has served on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative State Implementation Committee, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative State Logger Sub-Education Committee, and the Georgia Forestry Commission Columbia County Board, and is a member of the Leadership Augusta Class of 2010. He enjoys serving his church, Kiokee Baptist, where his family has attended and served since its inception in the 1700s. Bert values spending time with his wife of five years Kim and their one-year-old son Wills. He also enjoys fishing, hunting and the outdoors.

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Chris Rucker - Graphic Designer (Kruhu Creative+Design)

Born and raised in Augusta, Chris is an owner and graphic designer at Kruhu Creative+Design located in downtown Augusta. When he is not brewing ideas and marketing solutions, you can find him digging through his vast music collection, or searching out and researching design. He and his wife Jennifer are active members at Warren Baptist Church. They have three children: Annalise, Gentry, and Campbell. Chris is excited to be a part of a great team at the Land Trust that sees the vision and need for action, and hopes that through his creative skills he can make a difference.

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Chad Shivers - Land Broker (Shivers Real Estate Investments, Inc.)

Raised on a farm in the small town of Vidette in Burke County, GA, Chad carries a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia.  Over the years, Chad has worked with Georgia Power Company, served in an Engineering Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard, worked as an electrical engineer for Talquin Electric Cooperative, and has been working in land sales and investments for the last 15+ years.  He is currently President of Shivers Real Estate Investments, Inc., in Waynesboro, GA .  Chad is a Past Master of Waynesboro Masonic Lodge #274, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Alee Shrine Temple.  He enjoys wildlife and land management, clay target shooting, and hunting.  Chad’s background and love of the outdoors are cause for his appreciation of the mission of the Land Trust.

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R. Jay Simons Jr. – President (The Simons Real Estate Group)

Born and raised in Augusta, Jay is a second generation graduate from the University of Georgia. Jay began his career working with Merry Land and Investment Company, the largest owner of high quality apartments in the south. After retiring from Merry Land in 2002, Jay started his own real estate investment company - The Simons Real Estate Group. Jay serves as a commissioner for the Richmond County Planning Commission and is on the boards of the Norwood Financial Group and Northwood Nursery. Jay and his wife of 10+ years, Amy, live in Augusta with their two children Jake and Lucy. Jay enjoys fishing, bird hunting, exercising, and coaching little league sports.

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Advisory Board

Deke Copenhaver - Mayor (Augusta-Richmond County)
Although born in Montreal, Canada, Deke was raised and continues to live in Augusta, GA.  A graduate of Augusta College with a B.A. in Political Science, Deke brings both his political savvy and over 14 years of real estate and land conservation experience to the Land Trust. In fact, before he was elected Mayor in December 2005, Deke served as the CSRLT's Executive Director for more than 4 years. We are excited that, as mayor, he remains an active member of the Land Trust's Advisory Board and that he continues to champion conservation issues from the Mayor's office. Deke currently sits on a number of local non-profit boards and is a deacon at Reid Memorial Church.  He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Georgia, has been named one of Georgia Trend's "Forty Under Forty", and has served on Governor Perdue's GA Land Conservation Partnership Advisory Council. His hobbies include golf, hunting, running, writing and reading.  He and his wife Malisa live in West Augusta with their cat and two dogs. 

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William F. Hammond - Attorney (Hull, Towill, Norman, & Barrett)
Bill practices law with Hull, Towill, Norman & Barrett, a local Augusta law firm. He specializes in the areas of estate and tax planning law, employee benefit and ERISA law and corporate law. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1980 and the United States Tax Court in 1981. He is a member of the American Bar Association (Member of Taxation; Real Property and Probate Sections) and the State Bar of Georgia. A graduate of Augusta College, Bill went on to earn his J.D. from Mercer University in 1980 and his Masters of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) in 1982. He brings great legal expertise to the CSRLT and has proven invaluable in evaluating potential properties and negotiating acquisitions.

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N. Turner Simkins - Vice President (Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate Co.)

As Vice President of Blanchard & Calhoun, Augusta's leading residential and commercial developer since the 1920's, Turner is the general manager for all company development and new home sales and marketing operations. A native of Augusta, Turner currently manages all planning, zoning, permitting and financing efforts for three major areas of the city: Bartram Trail, Northridge, and Tudor Branch. He also plays an active role in managing B&C's general brokerage operations. He is an Augusta Renaissance Partner and has been involved with the Jack Nicklaus Development Corporation of Georgia. In addition to his professional achievements and his work with the CSRLT, Turner is actively involved in directing the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, the Activities Council of Thomson, and Main Street Augusta. He is a graduate of Leadership Georgia's class of 2001.

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Staff

Hazel Langrall - Executive Director

Hazel comes to the CSRLT from Monterey, CA where she earned a masters degree in International Environmental Policy. An avid backpacker and artist, Hazel brings expertise in policy, on-the-ground conservation work, grant writing, and graphic design to the Land Trust. Her current duties include directing the Land Trust's private conservation efforts; interfacing with members and supporters; organizing education, outreach, and volunteer events; and directing habitat restoration and trail-building efforts in partnership with local government. Hazel's hobbies include outdoor adventure sports, traveling, digital photography, and biking to work along the Augusta Canal Trail.

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