Rising Challenges: Building Rural Ohio’s Resilience to Severe Flooding

Alicia Silverio has led statewide floodplain management efforts for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for over two decades, supporting communities in strengthening resilience through effective planning, technical assistance, and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) implementation. She has overseen NFIP administration for the State of Ohio, working closely with local governments to improve compliance, enhance professional capacity, and advance sound floodplain standards that protect residents and natural systems. Alicia is a Certified Floodplain Manager and has served as Program Manager and State NFIP Coordinator, as well as Past Chairman of the Ohio Floodplain Management Association, contributing to flood policy, training, and statewide coordination. She is recognized for her ability to translate complex hydrologic, regulatory, and risk‑based information into practical strategies that improve community safety and watershed health. She holds a BS in Natural Resources (Environmental Science) from The Ohio State University.

Chad Berginnis has served as Executive Director and CEO of ASFPM since 2012, bringing more than three decades of experience in floodplain management, hazard mitigation, and land‑use planning across state, local, and private‑sector roles. He previously worked in the Ohio Floodplain Management Program, where he also served as Ohio’s State Hazard Mitigation Officer, and administered planning and economic development programs in Perry County before becoming the national hazard mitigation practice leader with Michael Baker Jr. Inc. Chad has chaired multiple national committees and contributed to major research efforts, including National Academies panels, government reviews, and Congressional testimony. He holds a BS in Natural Resources from Ohio State University and continues to guide national dialogue on reducing flood risk and advancing more resilient community planning.

Kelsea Best is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work advances understanding of how climate change interacts with human societies and infrastructure, with a particular focus on equitable climate adaptation and urban climate resilience. She has contributed to research on climate‑related migration and mobility, renters’ vulnerability to natural disasters, the infrastructure needs of climate‑migrant‑receiving communities, and the drivers of climate gentrification in coastal cities, drawing on advanced computational approaches such as machine learning and agent‑based modeling. Her work integrates social and environmental sciences and emphasizes the importance of narrative, community participation, and justice in developing climate adaptation strategies that serve vulnerable populations. She collaborates widely across disciplines and geographies to examine coupled human-natural systems and to inform policy and planning decisions in the context of escalating climate risks. She holds a PhD in Environmental Science from Vanderbilt University.

Linda Nicodemus has served Licking County for over two decades, leading stormwater management efforts that support responsible development, protect local waterways, and ensure regulatory compliance across rapidly growing communities. As the Stormwater Manager for the Licking Soil & Water Conservation District, she works closely with planning and development offices, zoning boards, utilities, and emergency services to ensure construction, excavation, and drainage practices meet state and local standards designed to safeguard both people and the environment. She has become a key voice in addressing the challenges of fast‑paced growth in western Licking County, helping property owners and developers understand their responsibilities to meet stormwater regulations. Her career in public service has centered on community development, environmental protection, and navigating the intersections of flooding, infrastructure, safety, and economic growth.

Jeff Sharp conducts teaching, research and is an OSU Extension state specialist.  His interests include sustainability, rural social change and community development. He is currently researching effective strategies for teaching sustainability competencies and has begun to explore the issue of aging in rural Ohio.  He is a longtime faculty member in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) at OSU, is an affiliate the Sustainability Institute and previously served as Director of SENR. He holds a PhD in Sociology from Iowa State University.

Eve Kelley is a second-year student majoring in Sustainable Plant Systems with a Horticulture specialization and a Marine Science certification track. She is the Involvement Chair of the Ohio State student organization, TerrAqua, where she leads efforts to promote the club to new students and helps design club events. Throughout her undergraduate career, Eve has held internship positions with AmeriCorps and Rural Action, serving local food systems and developing community outreach. Last winter, she studied abroad in the Dominican Republic through Ohio State's First Year Student Experience Program, and she will spend the 2026 summer semester studying Agronomy, Ecology, and Marine Biology independently at la Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Cumbaya, Ecuador.