About Plastic Free QAC

Bente grew aware of the need to protect our fragile earth while sailing for 18 years before settling on the Eastern Shore. Bente worked on Capitol Hill and later with non-profit organizations. She co-founded a non-profit organization in Washington, DC to advocate for the rights of nursing home residents.

Since moving to Grasonville in 2017 Sara has remained invested in making a difference in our Chesapeake Bay Watershed area. Shortly after completing the Legacy Institute for the Environment (LIFE) training, she joined the newly formed Plastic Free QAC team. As part of her current duties as PFQAC President, she is responsible for Daily Operations, Outreach and Program Development. Sara also served on the QAC Local Management Board as a community representative from 2021-23. When not volunteering, you can find her spending time in nature, kayaking, biking, hiking and traveling the world with family and friends.

Connie moved to the Eastern Shore from Chicago in 2014 after spending a week every summer on the Chester River since the mid-1980’s. She enjoys volunteering with non-profit organizations and most recently was President of The Friends of Queen Anne’s County Library. She is excited to be working with PFQAC and shares its vision of promoting a healthy environment and reducing single-use plastics. She enjoys crabbing, boating and spending time on the Chester with family and friends.

Ron, a seasoned leader in technology and innovation, finds inspiration in his Pacific Northwest roots, drawing parallels between Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay. He has a deep appreciation for the environment and wildlife/fisheries instilled during his formative years. He actively participates on boards and organizations in education, fisheries and environment/water managemnet. When not driving tech advancements, Ron can be found enjoying building things, cooking and outdoor/water pursuits.

Tom sold his national healthcare consulting firm and moved from Columbia, MD to Stevensville full-time in 2020. He has been active in environmental issues for his entire adult life. Starting with working to pass the bottle bill in Massachusetts in the 70s. He is PFQAC’s clean-up volunteer coordinator. He enjoys boating, fishing, and crabbing on the bay with his family and friends.

Maggie has more than 20 years experience in project management working primarily with government contractors in Information Technology, office furnishing logistics, and defense consulting. She managed a supper club, music and entertainment venue in Bethesda including planning private events. Though a native Marylander, she has lived in several states and has traveled worldwide. She learned how lovely Kent Island is having had the pleasure of boating through the Chesapeake from the docks at Crab Alley.

I'm grateful to be a part of Plastic Free QAC. Seeing the positive impact and changes that have been made in our community in the last few years by Plastic Free QAC is inspiring and I am excited to help keep the momentum going. I've lived in Queen Anne's County for 17 years and have been a local realtor for the last 7 years. My family and I live in Chester and love to get out and enjoy the beauty and open spaces of Kent Island and the surrounding areas. Making our environment a healthier, cleaner space for all has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. My partnership with Plastic Free QAC began when I approached them to help with the annual beach clean-up I was coordinating for my real estate team. The rest is history.

Jenny has lived all over the globe and settled in Maryland in 2014. After 20+ years in Human Resources, she took a leap of faith and launched Refill Goodness, an eco-friendly market and refillery. H er passion for sustained living runs deep, and her love of the outdoors made her keenly aware of just how important it is to protect our natural resources. When not at a marketing or event educating on sustainable swaps, Jenny is likely seeing a favorite band, boating, hiking, reading or spending time with her family.

Peggy grew up on the Chesapeake and has spent much time sailing, crabbing, and skiing on the Bay. She worked for BoatU.S for 20 years in product marketing, and retired after 13 years as Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for SECU Credit Union. Peggy is dedicated to doing whatever is possible to protect our environment, especially from the plastic mess we humans have created.

Julie has been a “behind the scenes” supporter of PFQAC since its start, creating graphics and video content. She produces video and graphic promos for other local nonprofit organizations as well. Formerly a School Counselor in Kent County, Julie is now retired and lives in Grasonville, Md.

Faith is originally from Centreville, MD and graduated from Queen Anne's County High School. She is a junior at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD where she studies Environmental Science and Earth and Planetary Science. Faith has worked with PFQAC before as an intern.

Hi, my name is Tyler Bowles. I am a class of 2025 student at Kent Island High School, and an EMT at United Communities Volunteer Fire Department (UCVFD). I am 16 years old, and aspire to go to med school. I joined PFQAC because I believe, as a younger person, that the “candle” of caring for the earth is being passed down to my generation of people. I am excited to be member of this organization and cleanse our communities.