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.
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.