Kristin Williams
Executive Director
Kristin Williams assumed the role of Executive Director of the Open Land Trust in January 2018. Kristin brings with her 10 years of experience as the Executive Director of a conservation organization, Friends of the Environment, located in Abaco, Bahamas. Kristin has a track record of success in program development, partnership expansion and campaign management. A native of the Bahamas, Kristin attended the College of Charleston where she met her husband, Charleston native, Lloyd Williams IV. The couple lives in Beaufort with their 2 children, Gray and Ford.
Ashley Rhodes
Director of Events
Ashley Rhodes has been a part of the Open Land Trust team both as a volunteer and a special events contractor since 2018. Her passion for our work is evident in everything she has done for the organization and on July 1, 2021 Ashley joined the team as the Director of Development. A native of the southern lowcountry, Ashley has an innate passion for the land and all it has to offer. Ashley began her career in special events as the first resource development director for Nemours Wildlife Foundation. She then established Ashley Rhodes Event Designs in 2008 and grew her career to become one of the most sought-after wedding planners in the region. Now a mother of two young boys, Ashley has decided to take a step back from the fast pace of luxury weddings and focus her energy on advancing the important work of the Open Land Trust. Ashley lives in Beaufort with her husband John and sons, Jack and Marshall.
Haley Romeo
Office Manager
Haley Romeo joined the Open Land Trust staff in January 2020 as the Administrative Coordinator. Prior to assuming this position, she worked in an administrative position in the medical field for 12 years and as owner and principal event planner of A Lisk Events. She grew up in Charleston and Lowcountry living has always been important to her. In 2017 her husband, Joseph, was promoted and relocated to Beaufort and she couldn’t be happier. The couple now live in Beaufort with their daughter, Brooklyn.
Caylor Romines
Director of Stewardship
Caylor Romines joined the Open Land Trust in June 2019 as the Director of Stewardship. Caylor brings with him experience working for the Federal Government, as well as the Private Sector in Land, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. He will oversee the OLT’s land stewardship program, including the management of OLT’s fee-owned conservation properties. Caylor is originally from East Tennessee, where he attended the University of Tennessee receiving a bachelor’s and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Caylor and his wife, Brett have been in the Lowcountry of South Carolina since September 2017 and live in Beaufort.
Kate Schaefer
Director of Land Protection
Kate Schaefer joined the Open Land Trust in December 2020. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from Clemson University and master’s degree from Kenan-Flagler business school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Previously, she worked in environmental advocacy and policy at the state and local level and taught high school science in the public school system. At OLT, Kate works with landowners, partners, and local and state government programs to identify strategic land protection opportunities in the region. Currently, OLT manages Beaufort County’s Rural and Critical Lands program and Kate serves as the staff liaison. She lives in Beaufort with her husband Paul and two children, Anna Frances and Parks.