Roger  is a graduate of Piedmont College where he holds a BA-BS Degree and currently lives in Toccoa, GA. He owned a hardware store for 23 years where farmers, contractors, developers, and the general public frequented his business daily.  He often consulted homeowners concerning yard issues and sold seeds of all kinds. He served on many Boards over the years and was voted ‘Mover and Shaker of the Year (1999, 2000 and 2001)’ by the Toccoa Record Newspaper. Currently, he is president of the Paul Anderson Park board and has been a Boy Scout leader for twenty-three consecutive years.  He is very knowledgeable of environmental regulations due to having constant contact with the Environmental Protection Division dealing with underground storage tanks owned by his employer, Jones Petroleum. Roger has served as a district supervisor for at least twenty five years.

Russell  has served on the district board for over three years.  His conservation work began with NRCS where he gained thirty-three years of overall experience and twenty-five of those years were spent servicing White County, GA.  He decided to join the district because he supports the partnership between them and NRCS in providing technical assistance for conservation practices. He also understands that conservation practices increase crop yields, reduces soil erosion, and enhances overall farming operations whether commercial or small-scale.  Aside from serving on on the board, he is a leader of boy scout troop 217 located in Toccoa, GA and attends First Baptist Church.  

Evan graduated from Young Harris College with an A. A. degree and received a B.S. from the University of Georgia.  After studying the work that local conservation districts perform and having a keen interest in conservation he decided to run for a position on the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2006 and began serving in January 2007.  The dedication and commitment of the men and women serving the District at that time impressed him to serve. Dr. Henry Fields, Supervisor Jeanette Jamieson, Chairman Roger Sheppard and District Employee Alan Smith provided the most effective knowledge and leadership for his success as a supervisor. Since his start as a supervisor, Hellenga served on the Steering Committee for the Upper Broad River 319 project. He is the Quality Assurance Supervisor for ITECH SOUTH located in Westminster, South Carolina and has thirty-two years of quality management experience in the chemicals and pigment industry.  Other past experiences include: being appointed to the Toccoa Planning Commission in 2012, being elected as Mayor of the City of Toccoa in 2016, serving on the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter board, serving on the Toccoa Stephens County Airport Authority and on the Stephens County Development Authority. Being a lifelong resident of Toccoa has cultivated his active membership and leadership as an elder of the Toccoa Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Artie have two grown children and five grandchildren.

Lakie’s  conservation experience began when she served on the junior soil conservation board and she has gained farming experience on her family’s cattle farm.  She holds a BS degree in Business Administration and has gained work experience in both the medical and manufacturing fields serving in various capacities.   One aspect of the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District is to educate the public on issues and assist with opportunities related to natural resources.  Thus, her belief is that it is important to be good stewards and sustain our natural resources for future generations. Her dedication to agriculture and sustainability serves an influence to her sons as one of them has become interested in an agricultural career and the other in veterinary medicine.  In addition to serving the district, she is involved with church activities and volunteers monthly at a local free clinic which serves the medical needs of the working poor and uninsured in our community. She is a member of the Stephens County Employer Committee and North East Georgia Safety Committee.  She is married with two sons and has served as a district supervisor for over seven years.