Staff and Board — Texas Land Conservancy

Meet the Staff

Texas Land Conservancy is staffed by eight full-time employees. Our small but mighty team is committed to protecting land, restoring habitat, connecting people to nature, and raising support for TLC’s mission.

Mark Steinbach

***Executive Director***
Joined TLC in 2007
Mark earned his bachelor’s in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and master’s in Rangeland Ecology and Management, both from Texas A&M University. His master’s research focused on Texas landowners and their knowledge of conservation policy and land management techniques. Mark received his Ph.D. from the University of Montana in Missoula from the College of Forestry and Conservation. His dissertation and post-doctoral work focused on land fragmentation in the Rocky Mountain region. He previously worked at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where he was a private lands wildlife biologist providing technical assistance to landowners in the Hill Country. Mark’s land management experience also stems from his academic career and working on his family’s farm in Washington County.

Valeria Bridgewater

***Communications and Outreach Coordinator***
Joined TLC in 2024
Valeria graduated from The University of the South with a B.A. in Environment and Sustainability. Growing up in the Hill Country instilled in her a deep commitment to stewardship. She brings a diverse range of experience across agricultural, nonprofit, and government sectors. Her roles have involved conducting outreach, leading workshops, managing social media platforms, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Outside of work, she finds fulfillment in volunteering for the Capital Area Master Naturalist program, rock climbing, and exploring new destinations. **As TLC's Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Valeria is excited to channel her experience into organizing regional networks, fundraising, and outreach efforts.**

Ashley Burke-Muraida

***Stewardship Specialist***
Joined TLC in 2022
Ashley is a graduate from Baylor University with a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Management and Sustainability from St. Edwards University. She has a wide range of experience including field work, policy interpretation, wetland delineations, biological surveying, and statistical analysis. She has interned and worked for government agencies, research programs, and the private sector; writing and interpreting policies, conducting field research, regulation and enforcement in support of the natural resources. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, running, reading, and spending time with her dogs! **As TLC’s Stewardship Specialist, Ashley works with landowners on TLC’s conservation goals and is looking forward to supporting the protected properties throughout the State.**

Jack Cearley

***North Texas Program Director***
Joined TLC in 2024
Jack is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Forestry. His Focus has been on ecological restoration and conservation education. His work experience includes Indiana Division of Forestry, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, U.S. Forest Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. When he’s not at work you can find Jack, with a fly rod in hand, exploring the waters of Texas. **As North Texas Program Director, Jack is excited to bring his experience on the land and working with private landowners to TLC’s conservation easements and preserves.**

Jamie Hooker

***East Texas Program Director***
Joined TLC in 2023
Jamie graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Master of Science in Forestry and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in Wildlife Management. She is native to East Texas and is passionate about restoring its historic ecosystems and managing the land for the benefit of our native wildlife. In her spare time, Jamie is usually found exploring the outdoors with her golden retriever, Quigley. Hiking, camping, kayaking, birding, and travelling to new places are always on their weekend to do list. **As East Texas Program Director, Jamie is excited to bring her passions into her work on conservation easements and TLC preserves.**

Alec King

***Hill Country Program Director***
Joined TLC in 2022
Alec is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Natural Resources Management. His passion for conservation and land stewardship began working on his family’s ranch in the Texas panhandle, and followed him through his career as a Wildlife Biologist and Conservation Easement Program Coordinator. As a fifth generation Texan, Alec is enthusiastic about the progress to be made in conserving the native ecosystems of the state and the impact this will have for generations to follow. You will find Alec spending as much time as possible spotting birds, catching fish, and backcountry camping. **As Hill Country Program Director, Alec works to ensure the protection of our shared natural resources through TLC’s conservation easements and preserves.**

Maren McLaughlin-Klotz

***Development and Communications Director***
Joined TLC in 2017
Maren holds a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in Environmental Affairs from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. Her work experience has spanned across non-profit, government agencies, and the private sector—managing AmeriCorps members, developing public policy strategies, and supporting programmatic campaigns through communications and creative content creation. Her focus now is on strategic communications and fundraising, graphic design, and project management. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, long walks, and making things. **As TLC’s Development and Communications Director, Maren oversees all development, communications, and outreach for the organization.**

Stephen Ramirez

***Conservation Director***
Joined TLC in 2016
Stephen is a graduate from Texas State University with a B.S. in Geographic Information Science. He carries a wide range of experience from cartography, field work, surveys, photography, guided hikes, and community outreach. His work and volunteer experience includes Save Our Springs Alliance, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, San Marcos River Foundation, and Hays County Master Naturalists. His drive for conservation is rooted in his love for the San Marcos River and sharing the natural world with others. Stephen enjoys outdoor recreation such as swimming, bird watching, and mountain unicycling. As TLC’s Conservation Director, he works closely with landowners to ensure that the conservation values of TLC’s properties are being protected, guides new landowners through the conservation easement process, and collaborates with partners for fun and educational hikes and conservation outreach.

PRESIDENT
Location: Austin, TX
Joined the board: 2015

Scott Moorhead

Mr. Moorhead is the chief strategy officer for Texas Water Trade, an Austin-based NGO focused on innovative solutions to provide clean and sufficient water for people and nature. He is the former Policy Director for Audubon Texas, where he focused on strategic initiatives to protect Texas's air, water, and natural systems. From 2008-2016, he served as a client lead and COO of the Ben Barnes Group, a national consultancy. A native of Houston and an honors graduate from the University of Texas at Austin’s Plan II Program, he is passionate about energy and water-resource issues, infrastructure, and land-use planning, and also holds a Master’s in Energy and Earth Resources from the Jackson School of Geosciences at UT-Austin. He enjoys kayaking, working outdoors, Texas waterways, and being with his family.

VICE PRESIDENT
Location: Austin, TX
Joined the board: 2017

Blake Murden

Dr. Murden is the CEO of the Shield Land Stewardship Group where he is responsible for the administration and conservation management of the three Shield-Ayres family ranches comprising 37,000 acres in Central and West Texas. Blake also supports the mission of the Shield Ranch Foundation through land stewardship, coordination and oversight of capital projects and the operation and management of land and facilities. Blake has more than 30 years of experience managing, researching, and monitoring land, water, and wildlife resources on private lands in Texas, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Tarleton State University, and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.

TREASURER
Location: Austin, TX
Joined the board: 2017

Michelle Kopplow

Michelle spent her teenage years in San Antonio and then moved closer to the heart of Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin where she obtained her Masters in Professional Accounting. She began her public accounting career with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Austin, TX, last serving in the audit practice as a senior manager. Michelle continued her public accounting career with Maxwell Locke and Ritter LLP where she currently serves a variety of clients and industries within the firm’s audit practice. She is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the AICPA and TSCPA Austin Chapter and is raising two young Texans with her husband.

SECRETARY
Location: Austin, TX
Joined the board: 2018

Caleb Stafford

Caleb is an Austin native who grew up exploring Barton Creek and the outdoors of Texas. He is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor with the Gerrie Stafford Group at Merrill Lynch in Austin, TX. Focusing on wealth planning and investments he guides affluent families and individuals through generational life stages. Caleb holds a marketing degree from Texas State University. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, being outdoors, and cooking.