Coalition Staff

Callie D. Moore

Executive Director

Callie became HRWC’s first full-time executive director in January 2003. She has a Master’s Degree in Water Resources from Indiana University and is also a graduate of Western Carolina University’s Environmental Health Program. Before coming to work for HRWC, she worked for four years as a river basin planner for the NCDENR, Division of Water Quality, during which time she was assigned to several river basins including the Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, and Savannah. Other previous work experience includes water quality monitoring, sediment/erosion control compliance inspections, and environmental education for the Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Callie tells people that HRWC is “very different from other grassroots watershed organizations because of the real partnership that’s been established between citizens who care about streams and lakes and the local governments and organizations that can help affect change”. The founders realized that the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts provide a good delivery system for the communities we serve. It’s a model she thinks other communities should follow if they truly want to improve and protect water quality.

In her spare time, Callie likes to hike/camp, swim, read, and make her own greeting cards. She currently serves on the Southwestern NC RC&D Council, and is Lay Leader at Hayesville First United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Philip are currently Towns County, GA residents.

Email: Callie D. Moore

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Tony Ward

Restoration Coordinator

Tony was contracted in March 2008 to coordinate HRWC’s watershed restoration program of work. In 2007, he received an associate’s degree from Haywood Community College in Forest Management Technology and completed an internship with the U.S. Forest Service, Tusquitee Ranger District in the same year. For his major project associated with the degree, Tony developed a forest management plan for a 35-acre tract of private land in western Cherokee County.

Although his education so far has been primarily focused on forestry, Tony is interested in all aspects of natural resource management. When asked why he is interested in working with HRWC, he replied that he “wants to help educate people about how what they do on the land impacts water resources and how HRWC can help.” Tony is a Cherokee County, NC native and lives in Peachtree with his wife, Christina. He has two children; a 12-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.

Email: Tony Ward

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Leslie Gray

Office Manager

Leslie became HRWC's Office Manager in December of 2003. Soon after assuming the position, she designed a new and expanded website for the Coalition published in June of 2004. She continues to update and improve the website as well as other areas of office work. "My job includes routine office tasks as well as opportunities to design creative publications for various HRWC activities, all of which I like to do. I especially enjoy my job because the HRWC is made up of dedicated and energetic people."

Leslie and her husband, Doug, married and moved from Ohio to North Carolina in September of 2000. Early in 2003, they moved out of their apartment into their first home, both of which are located in Hayesville. Leslie enjoys playing European-style board games (family strategy board games) with her husband, spoiling their two cats, creating handmade greeting cards, hiking and gardening. She and her husband are both members of Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church.

Leslie has an Associate in Arts Degree in General Education. She says, "Although my educational background does not include much science, I feel I have learned a lot about conservation and improving water quality as a result of working for HRWC."

Email: Leslie Gray

Lucy Cole Gratton

Accountant

Lucy served as HRWC’s first paid executive director from 2001-2003. When Callie Moore was hired as a full-time executive director, Lucy was contracted to manage HRWC's finances. From purchasing the organization’s first filing cabinet to preparing reimbursement paperwork for millions in grant funds, Lucy continues to be at the center of what makes HRWC’s operations run smoothly.

Lucy has a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Agnes Scott College, a Masters degree in Math Education from the University of Florida, and two years in Accounting at Florida Atlantic University. She taught math for 10 years before going back to school to complete her accounting hours for CPA certification. After working for a CPA to qualify, she sat for and passed the Certified Public Accountant exam. In 1979, Lucy joined and became a partner in a private accounting firm, Traylor & Gratton, CPAs, PA, in Boynton Beach, FL.

Lucy has been visiting the Hiwassee River watershed on vacations since she was a little girl and as an adult frequently vacationed at her cottage on Apalachia Lake. She retired and took up full time residency in Cherokee County, N.C. in 1998.

Lucy has little “spare time” after working for HRWC and maintaining the property, but when she does manage to find some, she enjoys spending time with friends on her boat on Lake Apalachia, walking in the woods, and playing with her pets, the stars of which are two rat terriers named Skeeter and Sassy. She also values her time spent visiting her sister and brother-in-law in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Email: Lucy Cole Gratton