Annual Meeting Ballot 2025

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I am a 39-year-old father of two young children and an attorney that resides in Ohio Township. I grew up in rural Missouri and attended West Point for my undergrad studies. After graduating from West Point, I spent 5 years as an Army officer in various leadership roles throughout the country and the world. Most notably, I spent a year in Iraq in 2010 for a combat deployment in the city of Basrah. In 2013, I left the Army and to pursue my JD/MBA from the University of Missouri. I completed this program in 2016 and became a licensed attorney in the State of Missouri. I moved to Pennsylvania in 2017 and became a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2021.

My ex-wife's career as a physician moved me to Pittsburgh in 2022, where I am excited to raise my children in this lovely community. I am currently a Senior Counsel at the law firm Tucker Arensberg P.C. in downtown Pittsburgh. My law practice primarily focuses on corporate matters, with an additional specialty in healthcare law.

Growing up in rural Missouri, I developed a love of the outdoors from a young age. During my time in the Army, this love grew into a love of hiking, especially during my time living in Colorado and regularly hiking the Barr Trail. Although I moved to Pittsburgh in 2022, I did not discover the RCT until the summer of 2023. Ever since, the Rachel Carson Trail has become a staple in my life. Last year was my first year participating in the Challenge, and although I got beat by the heat, I fell in love with the event and was introduced to a community that I previously didn't know existed. I intend to continue to participate in the challenge for as long as my body allows me to and look forward to when my children reach an age that they can start participating.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

First, I feel that my qualifications as an attorney and experience as a leader grant me a unique opportunity to serve in pursuit of the betterment of something local in the community that I love. As a father, I view it as my responsibility to introduce my children to the outdoors, and the Rachel Carson Trail is a fantastic way to do so. Serving on the RCT Board of Directors would allow me to be involved in helping make sure the trail is preserved for future generations to enjoy and experience the outdoors. It's rare that your passions and qualifications align, but in this instance, I feel like I truly can be of assistance in helping achieve the mission of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

I am an attorney that specializes in corporate and contract matters. I also have served in a variety of leadership roles, both as an Army officer and a business executive. I'm happy to dedicate my time and services towards the maintenance and conservation of the trail.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren and have lived with my wife in Franklin Park since 2000. I am originally from NYC and came to Pittsburgh in 1989 to join a CMU spinout startup. I’m a big believer in this region and I’m proud to make it my home since then. I got my wife to move here from Texas and her 5 sisters have all followed in the years since.

Professionally, I’m a CMU-educated computer scientist turned consultant turned investor focused on technology companies. I founded a software development company called Summa Technologies in 1996 and sold it in a strategic acquisition in 2017. I have managed 2 venture funds and continue to make personal investments in select companies to date. I am a mentor at CMU’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and InnovationWorks AlphaLab accelerator.

On the philanthropic side, I joined the board of Bike Pittsburgh in 2002 and spent 20 years as a board member, 3 of those as Board President and over 10 years as treasurer. Through my small private foundation, I have made strategic donations to Bike Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and the Allegheny Land Trust as well as smaller gifts to dozens of other non-profits.

I find hiking and biking on trails to be refreshing and fun. Sidewalks are good, especially as ways to get to the trail! I have written papers and crafted presentations on the many benefits of walking and biking.

You can find more about my professional and non-profit experience on my LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/eengler

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I am passionate about helping people get out of their cars and walk or bike instead. I dream that every home has sidewalk or better yet, trail access in addition to street access. I am focused in this regard on the trail network expansion in the North Hills and have been working with Franklin Park, McCandless and other municipalities to gain support for trail expansion and active transportation in general. I don’t think there are any better organizations to support to make these things happen in Northern Allegheny County.

In addition, I have a demonstrated ability to guide organizations to long-term sustainable growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility and staying true to the organization’s values and mission. I would be honored and privileged to bring these skills to the benefit of the RCTC. I would like to join or foster the creation of a network expansion committee and/or a technology committee and I am flexible to help out where needed.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

My personal values align with those of the RCTC, I’m passionate about getting people outdoors on trails, I have decades of board experience on over 20 profit and non-profit boards and I'm also a substantial donor. I have strategic relationships with 2 municipalities, the SPC, Trail Pittsburgh and Bike Pittsburgh that may be helpful to the RCTC.

Describe your background, interests, and vocation.

I am a lifelong resident of Western Pennsylvania (born in Springdale) with a passion for outdoor recreation and the responsibility for stewardship of the land that comes with enjoying the outdoor spaces we love. My wife and I, along with our two children (ages 9 and 4), love to spend time outside. We hike, mountain bike, and rock climb as a family, and some of our most cherished memories have taken place in natural settings. Indeed, both our children spent significant time on the Rachel Carson Trail on my back—even before they could walk.

My wife and I encourage stewardship of the land by teaching our children the importance of giving back. That has come through trail work days with Trail Pittsburgh, volunteering with Friends of the Riverfront, or simply picking up trash as we hike.

Professionally, I am a lawyer and mediator with a focus on appellate law, white collar criminal defense, and government investigations. I also have some experience with real estate and land use law, and have provided pro bono legal services to a number of conservation and outdoor recreation advocacy organizations. In all areas of my practice, my focus is primarily writing, as well as oral advocacy.

Why would you like to be on the RCTC Board?

I would like to be considered for a seat on the Board of Directors because I consider it to be a responsibility for everyone who spends time in natural spaces to work and fight to protect them for future generations. I have been so lucky to spend so much time on the Rachel Carson Trail, and have introduced many others to the joy of doing so. I see a seat on the Board as the next logical step so that I can help to spread that joy to others both now and in the future.

What makes you a good addition to the RCTC Board?

Apart from the time I have spent on the trail and the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from that, I am also a lawyer with experience in land use and conservation issues. Finally, I also have experience with nonprofit organizations, including serving as a board member of Holiday Meals PGH, a nonprofit that helps to bring Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to needy families throughout Allegheny County.