Our Staff |
Charen Fegard: Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator
Charen came to CVSWMD from 20 years working in the non-profit world. She has worn many hats, managing offices and developing and executing outreach and technical assistance programs in fields such as forest ecology, waste diversion, as well as chemical safety and infection control. She served in operations at the district before transferring to outreach. When she's not working, she's often outside, visiting with friends, or learning a new skill.
Kathie Felch: Finance and Human Resources Administrator
Kathie worked in Municipal Government for 20 years. She was a Treasurer for the District for nearly six years, then worked in an accounting firm for four years and has happily returned to the District in 2024 as the Finance & HR Administrator. When she is not working, she enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time with family and visiting lighthouses in Maine any chance she gets.
Bob Freeman: Field Assistant/Driver
Bob Freeman is our longest standing staff member, having worked here since 1998. In addition to staffing the ARCC, Bob helps keep the District’s vehicles running smoothly. Bob is a native Vermonter and likes being helpful to the community. Away from work, he enjoys working on model cars and watching sports, especially hockey.
Benjamin Gress: Hazardous Waste Facility Operator
Benjamin (he/him) joined CVSWMD in August 2025, excited to return to his career in environmental work and community service. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and has hands-on experience in arboriculture, trail work, and organic farming. Before joining the district, Benjamin served as the General Manager of a restaurant, where he designed the beverage program and led the front-of-house team. This role enhanced his leadership and creativity skills while nurturing his passion for fermentation. When he’s not working, you can usually find Benjamin playing music, experimenting in the kitchen, hiking, skiing, or enjoying time outdoors with his partner and their dog.
Robert Holman: Hazardous Waste Facility Operator
A native of Central Vermont, Robert has long been concerned with environmental issues.
He has worked in agricultural, commercial, and industrial sectors, spending the last 18 years with Chittenden Solid Waste District. He helped with HHW mobile collections, the Local Color latex paint program and as a Hazardous Waste Operator.
When not at work, Robert enjoys outdoor activities, being creative in many forms, music, movies, and helping and hanging out with friends.
He has worked in agricultural, commercial, and industrial sectors, spending the last 18 years with Chittenden Solid Waste District. He helped with HHW mobile collections, the Local Color latex paint program and as a Hazardous Waste Operator.
When not at work, Robert enjoys outdoor activities, being creative in many forms, music, movies, and helping and hanging out with friends.
John Jose: School Outreach Coordinator
John joined the District in September 2016. He holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from East Stroudsburg University. His background includes work in wildlife conservation, water resource protection, environmental education, and now solid waste management. Combining his diverse environmental program experience with his experience working in various capacities with public schools, John is excited to be collaborating with CVSWMD schools to create opportunities for students, adults and broader school communities to most effectively manage their solid waste. As an avid naturalist and wildlife photographer, John can often be found documenting central Vermont’s flora and fauna, particularly birds, mammals, and amphibians via iNaturalist and eBird.
Theron Lay-Sleeper: General Manager
Theron joined the CVSWMD team in September 2018, serving for a year as an ECO AmeriCorps member. Since then, he has immersed himself in trash, recycling, food scraps, and hazardous waste management. He studied international relations, focusing on environmental and energy policy, and graduated from Tufts University in Boston in 2015. He is passionate about working to make Vermont a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability. He is an avid outdoorsman, craftsman, musician, and cook.
Mona Lutz, Administrative Coordinator
Mona joined CVSWMD in January 2025 after transitioning from elementary school office administration. She earned a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Duke University and a Master's in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech. Mona has lived in Vermont for 18 years with her family, dogs, cats, chickens, goats and sometimes pigs. Before then, she worked as a consulting environmental engineer on underground petroleum storage tank remediation sites in Virginia. She has a passion for creative solid waste management and ridding the world of single-use plastic and styrofoam. She enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, skiing, running, paddleboarding and being on local ponds or far-away sunny beaches.
Alexandra Oles: Operations Manager
Alexandra joined the CVSWMD in November of 2023. She is a Massachusetts transplant, having moved to the Kingdom a decade ago to pursue education with Sterling College. Her ecological education and professional background wove through the agricultural sector with experience spanning from field work, to food service, as well as teaching kids about food and nutrient cycles. In her personal time, Alexandra is dedicated to the livelihood of her dozens of houseplants, playing with her hound/lab mix puppy, cooking from scratch, and pursuing happiness. She’s thrilled to uphold environmental stewardship and join Vermont’s crusade of responsible consumption and safe disposal of various products.
Terry Reilly, Solid Waste Administrator and Enforcement officer
Terry joined the CVSWMD team in January of 2025 bringing diverse background in both the public and private sectors. His experience managing large scale commercial development projects coupled with his work at the University of Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Education, makes him ideally suited in the role of the Solid Waste Administrator and Enforcement Officer. Having also secured the state contract with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Terry acts as the Fee Reviewer for the Department of Environmental Conservation, Solid Waste and Recycling Program. While not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, their three grown children, being outside, museums, and supporting his favorite soccer team, Tottenham Hotspur.
