Deb Ridgeway is an invaluable member of our team here at PA-TACF. Pretty much anywhere you see the work of PA-TACF, you are also seeing the hand of Deb Ridgeway at work. She is one of those volunteers you know you can count on, stepping up to the plate for any type of request, from office organization to web help to orchard work and fundraising. She does it all! We are grateful for her “can do” attitude and tireless service to a cause that she is obviously passionate about.
Deb and her husband, Michel, have shared an interest in the history of the American Chestnut for over 15 years. Michel remembered stories his father told of the chestnut tree and the blight in New England, and Deb had read personal accounts of the chestnut trees blooming in the Appalachian mountains. Deb retired from a career with Exelon Corporation (Philadelphia and Chicago), an American energy producer, trader, and distributor. After moving to central Pennsylvania in 2008, she became active in establishing the Raystown Restoration Branch with Jeff and Lori Krause, and still serves as the Branch’s secretary. Deb also created and maintains the Branch and State Chapter Facebook pages. She has assisted in planting projects at PSU and organizing the Raystown Branch’s annual chestnut celebrations.
Deb recently served as vice president of the Standing Stone Garden Club which is part of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, and has helped a number of local organizations develop their Facebook pages, increasing their membership or sales in the process.
She currently serves as a board member of Team USA Youth, the national youth fly fishing team (http://www.usyouthflyfishingteam.com). The Team just returned from the world competition in Ireland where they won the gold medal for the United States, competing against eight other countries. Deb has developed and maintains the Team’s website, Facebook page, and writes the quarterly newsletter.