Mark Steinbach
Executive Director
Mark earned his bachelor’s in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and master’s in Rangeland Ecology and Management, both from Texas A&M University. His master’s research focused on Texas landowners and their knowledge of conservation policy and land management techniques. Mark received his Ph.D. from the University of Montana in Missoula from the College of Forestry and Conservation. His dissertation and post-doctoral work focused on land fragmentation in the Rocky Mountain region. Mark is a native of Texas and joined the TLC staff in 2007. He previously worked at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where he was a private lands wildlife biologist providing technical assistance to landowners in the Hill Country. Mark’s land management experience also stems from his academic career and working on his family’s farm in Washington County.
Meet the Staff
Get to know the TLC team.
Amber Arseneaux
North Texas Program Director
Amber holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management, both from Texas A&M University. She is a proud native Texan and is passionate about our state’s open space, diverse culture, and agricultural heritage. Outside the office, your best bet is finding her outside and anywhere live music is playing. She enjoys hiking, volunteering as a Texas Master Naturalist, and exploring Texas’s natural wonders. As TLC’s North Texas Program Director, Amber is working with volunteers, building community around TLC protected properties, and spending time connecting with landowners who want to protect their land.
Ellen Gass
Conservation Director
Ellen holds a master’s degree in Geography from Texas A&M University, where her research focused on fire history in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Her experience has focused on stewardship, land protection, outdoor education, volunteer management, and trail construction. An enthusiastic and avid backpacker, Ellen thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail following graduate school. Her other passions include long-distance running, cycling, watching college football, and cheering on the Astros. As Conservation Director, Ellen manages TLC acquisitions of other land trusts, works with landowners to place conservation easements on their properties, and ensures that the conservation values of TLC’s properties are being upheld.
Maren McLaughlin-Klotz
Development and Communications Director
Maren holds a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in Environmental Affairs from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. Her experience has focused on strategic communications and fundraising, graphic design, and project management. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, crafts, and hanging out with her dogs. As TLC’s Development and Communications Director, Maren oversees all development, communications, and outreach for the organization.
Stephen Ramirez
Hill Country Program Director
Stephen is a graduate from Texas State University with a B.S. in Geographic Information Science. He carries a wide range of experience from cartography, field work, surveys, photography, guided hikes, and community outreach. His work and volunteer experience includes Save Our Springs Alliance, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, San Marcos River Foundation and Hays County Master Naturalists. His drive for conservation is rooted in his love for the San Marcos River and sharing the natural world with others. Stephen enjoys outdoor recreation such as swimming, bird watching, and mountain unicycling. Stephen Joined TLC in 2016. As Hill Country Program Director, He works closely with landowners to ensure that the conservation values of TLC’s properties are being protected, guides new landowners through the conservation easement process, and collaborates with partners for fun and educational hikes and conservation outreach.
Mark Steinbach
Executive Director
Mark earned his bachelor’s in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and master’s in Rangeland Ecology and Management, both from Texas A&M University. His master’s research focused on Texas landowners and their knowledge of conservation policy and land management techniques. Mark received his Ph.D. from the University of Montana in Missoula from the College of Forestry and Conservation. His dissertation and post-doctoral work focused on land fragmentation in the Rocky Mountain region. Mark is a native of Texas and joined the TLC staff in 2007. He previously worked at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where he was a private lands wildlife biologist providing technical assistance to landowners in the Hill Country. Mark’s land management experience also stems from his academic career and working on his family’s farm in Washington County.
Amber Arseneaux
North Texas Program Director
Amber holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management, both from Texas A&M University. She is a proud native Texan and is passionate about our state’s open space, diverse culture, and agricultural heritage. Outside the office, your best bet is finding her outside and anywhere live music is playing. She enjoys hiking, volunteering as a Texas Master Naturalist, and exploring Texas’s natural wonders. As TLC’s North Texas Program Director, Amber is working with volunteers, building community around TLC protected properties, and spending time connecting with landowners who want to protect their land.
Ellen Gass
Conservation Director
Ellen holds a master’s degree in Geography from Texas A&M University, where her research focused on fire history in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Her experience has focused on stewardship, land protection, outdoor education, volunteer management, and trail construction. An enthusiastic and avid backpacker, Ellen thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail following graduate school. Her other passions include long-distance running, cycling, watching college football, and cheering on the Astros. As Conservation Director, Ellen manages TLC acquisitions of other land trusts, works with landowners to place conservation easements on their properties, and ensures that the conservation values of TLC’s properties are being upheld.
Maren McLaughlin-Klotz
Development and Communications Director
Maren holds a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in Environmental Affairs from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. Her experience has focused on strategic communications and fundraising, graphic design, and project management. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, crafts, and hanging out with her dogs. As TLC’s Development and Communications Director, Maren oversees all development, communications, and outreach for the organization.
Stephen Ramirez
Hill Country Program Director
Stephen is a graduate from Texas State University with a B.S. in Geographic Information Science. He carries a wide range of experience from cartography, field work, surveys, photography, guided hikes, and community outreach. His work and volunteer experience includes Save Our Springs Alliance, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, San Marcos River Foundation and Hays County Master Naturalists. His drive for conservation is rooted in his love for the San Marcos River and sharing the natural world with others. Stephen enjoys outdoor recreation such as swimming, bird watching, and mountain unicycling. Stephen Joined TLC in 2016. As Hill Country Program Director, He works closely with landowners to ensure that the conservation values of TLC’s properties are being protected, guides new landowners through the conservation easement process, and collaborates with partners for fun and educational hikes and conservation outreach.