Meet our Board
Dedicated to Conservation
Trevor Hogan
President
As a conservationist at heart and a committed public servant, my journey began with the Byron Forest Preserve Board in 2011. Since then, my passion has been to safeguard our pristine natural areas while ensuring their accessibility to the public. I firmly believe that fostering a strong connection between people and nature is essential for advancing our mission.
Sandy Brooks
Treasurer
Having grown up in a family that cherished Sunday afternoons exploring local forest preserves and parks, my appreciation for the outdoors runs deep. Over the past 26 years, I've called Ogle County home, relishing the natural beauty of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin alongside my family and students. Throughout my 32-year tenure as an urban educator, introducing countless students to the joys of hiking and nature exploration has been immensely rewarding. Serving as a commissioner on the Byron Forest Preserve Board for 18 years allowed me to contribute to the preservation of our community's natural heritage. I eagerly anticipate continuing this vital work with the Ogle Natural Areas Alliance.
Caleb Hardy
Secretary
Caleb, a founding Board Member of ONAA, boasts a lifelong passion for the outdoors. His professional journey began as a conservation professional with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Byron Forest Preserve District. Caleb's extensive experience has honed his expertise as a modern-day woodsman, well-versed in natural areas and local ecology.
Pete Oliver
Director
Pete, a founding Board member of ONAA, has devoted a significant portion of his adult life to the outdoors and conservation efforts. With professional experience gained at the Dixon Park District and leadership roles, such as President of the Four Rivers Ducks Unlimited Chapter in Ogle County, Pete exemplifies his commitment to environmental stewardship. In his leisure time, Pete enjoys upland and waterfowl hunting, as well as the exhilarating experience of running his Wired Hair Griffons across the untamed landscapes of America.
Sean Grennan
Director
Having spent the majority of my life in northern Illinois, my family and I take great pleasure in hiking trails and discovering the natural wonders within the Byron Forest Preserve. Throughout my career as a strategic advisor, I've had the privilege of collaborating with numerous nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving our world. It's this shared commitment to positive change that motivates me as a Board Member of the Ogle Natural Areas Alliance. ONAA's mission of land preservation plays a vital role in sustaining local wildlife, safeguarding waterways, and fostering youth education opportunities, all of which deeply resonate with me.
Deirdre Nardi
Founding Board Member (2021-2024)
I was born and raised in Chicago and North Shore suburbs. I worked in fashion, and moved on to Real Estate in the 80’s. I spent a few years doing residential development /marketing in Hawaii in the early nineties. I moved back to Chicago in 1993 and soon met my future husband Stephen J. Nardi. Stephen owned a horse farm in Byron and introduced me to the Ogle County area. We spent many weekends in the summer raising foxhounds and horses and in the Fall we Fox Hunted the Oak Brook Hunt on the land that is now the Stephen J and Deirdre Nardi Equine Prairie.
This land was donated to the Byron Forest Preserve when we retired the Hunt several years ago. In the meantime, we worked with the Forest Preserve on the preservation plan which include Equestrian rights in perpetuity.
Stephen passed away in 2018 and there is now a memorial bench in his honor up on Rohresson’s Hill. I will always have a special place in my heart for the entire Rock River area. I am pleased to be apart of the Ogle Natural Areas Alliance. I look forward to working with our board and helping to further enhance the beauty of the area.
