By Paul Berringer, District Administrator, 1997 – 2012 and John McManus, District Administrator 2013 – current
(Top photo: Joe Glassmeyer and wife Peachie)
Joe with Paul Berringer at the Clermont SWCD 56th annual meeting
The end of this year represents the end of an era, as Joe Glassmeyer will be retiring from the Clermont SWCD Board of Supervisors. When Joe began his first supervisor term in 1986, the digital age was starting, critical local water quality issues were at the forefront, and the county was facing tremendous growth with efforts shifting quickly toward addressing urban and rural pollutants “running off the land.” As the District rededicated its efforts toward these challenges, the Conservation Team was fortunate to have Joe Glassmeyer’s leadership.
Joe possesses a lot of qualities which have made him an important part of the District’s conservation team. One of the foremost is his “dedication and perseverance,” witnessed by a remarkable 39 years of volunteer service on the SWCD Board. Joe is a life-long learner who possesses an innate level of curiosity. He always had his camera in hand to document his observations and was eager to share his detailed findings with others. His affable personality, extraordinary patience, and unwavering positive attitude made him a natural born ambassador
Joe with his OFSWCD Supervisor Hall of Fame award
for soil and water conservation at local, state, and national levels. He held various offices for the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD), including Area 4 Director from 2000 to 2008, Secretary-Treasurer from 2009-10, Vice President from 2011-12, and OFSWCD President from 2013-14. He also served as an OFSWCD delegate to the Washington D.C. Legislative Conference on eight separate occasions, and was an alternate board member from Ohio on the National Association of Conservation Districts’ board of directors.
Joe’s social skills and demeanor, his long-standing knowledge of agriculture, and his dedication to conservation and community service have helped pave the way for numerous District successes over the years. Many of these efforts led to the District and members of its Conservation Team being recognized for excellence, and also afforded some members with opportunities to serve the conservation field at higher levels.
The entire Clermont SWCD family would like to express our gratitude to Joe for his 39 years of dedicated service to the District and the field of conservation. Thank you Joe, and best wishes as you retire from the Board and continue to write your next chapter!
