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Our Team

Staff & Board of Directors

At the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV), our nimble and dedicated staff and board are committed to protecting the region's agricultural heritage and open spaces. Accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, we use our diverse expertise and commitment to transparency to drive impactful conservation. Together, we make a lasting difference for our community and the landscapes we cherish. Meet our team and see how we’re preserving the beauty of Santa Clara Valley for future generations.

Trina Hineser | Executive Director

Trina Hineser

trina@landtrustscv.org Joined Land Trust August 2019 ​Trina holds a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has lived with her husband in San Martin for two decades. From 2014-2019, Trina was President of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA). During her time with SMNA, Trina bridged the gap between the County of Santa Clara and the San Martin community by finding common ground to resolve community issues. She implemented quarterly community meetings as a platform for residents to hear from officials representing Santa Clara County, CalFire, the California Highway Patrol, and the Sheriff’s Office, which created a venue for San Martin residents to discuss topics that affect rural integrity.In 2015, Trina was appointed to the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee (SMPAC) to provide land use recommendations to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. In 2019, Trina was elected as SMPAC Chairman and will serve in that position for the next several years. Trina writes columns for the local paper (Gilroy and Morgan Hill Life), helped create the San Martin Chamber of Commerce, and is a graduate of the 2017-2018 Community Advocates Leadership Academy (CALA) hosted by Green Foothills. Trina’s joys include her stepdaughter, pets, and garden.

Tom Fischer

Joined Board November 2021 Tom has been a Gilroy resident since 1977 and grew up working in his uncle’s apricot and prune orchards during the long hot summers. He found his way into the plumbing industry 35 years ago. He started out as an apprentice and worked up to a project manager and estimator. While in the plumbing industry, he served 14 years as a Trustee for the Plumbers Pension Fund. In 2008, he retired and became involved in serving his community. Several of Tom's positions in public service include being a: Planning Commissioner City of Gilroy 2011-2021, serving as Commissioner, Vice Chair & Chair Committee Member for; City of Gilroy 2040 General Plan Update, the Development Standards Task Force, and the Downtown Gilroy Station High-Speed Rail Plan Area, along with several other local sub-committees. Tom likes to garden, work on home repair projects, and to golf in his spare time.

Dana Wolfe

Joined Board April 2021 Dana is a resident of Gilroy. She is a Teacher at East Gilroy Title I Middle School and comes to the Land Trust with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, a minor in Spanish and multiple CLAD teaching credentials. She has participated on other boards in our area including holding the position of Secretary on the Gilroy Teachers Association from 2017-2021, President for the Gilroy High School FFA Boosters from 2017-2021, and as Secretary for Gilroy Growing Smarter as of 2018. Dana is enthusiastic about the preservation of farmland and Open Space, which is critical to ensure clean air, food security, and the replenishment of ground water supply. She acknowledges development is inevitable, but believes a balance needs to be maintained. Dana has the ability to work well with other board members, she is a good listener, and she always carefully considers all sides of an issue to ensure the best possible outcome.

Peter Van Dyke

Joined Board August 2022 Peter comes from a family of farmers who have been cultivating the land in Gilroy for five generations. He currently serves as president of the Loma Prieta Resource Conservation District, which focuses on protecting soil, water, and other vital resources in our valley. Peter brings a wealth of experience in building collaborative relationships with fellow farmers, a deep knowledge of best farming practices, and a strong commitment to ensuring the viability of agriculture in Santa Clara Valley.

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Rich Constantin Board Member Joined Board August 2023 Richard served as mayor of Morgan Hill after being elected in 2018, following two terms on the city council. A retired firefighter, Richard has a long history of commitment to public service, which includes volunteering with the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol. He has served on multiple boards and committees, including the Healthier Kids Foundation, the Governance, Transparency & Labor Relations Policy Committee for the League of California Cities, the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee. His extensive experience provides valuable insights into public policy, a deep understanding of city and county regulations, and expertise in land use in Morgan Hill. Richard's dedication to the community is complemented by his approachable demeanor and sense of humor.

Danielle Flanagan

Joined Board June 2024 Danielle is a proud 5th generation Bay Area resident, where her passion for environmental sustainability was nurtured in the region’s beautiful landscapes. Currently, she works as an environmental scientist for the State of California at the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, focusing on sea level rise adaptation planning along the San Francisco Bay. Danielle earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and her graduate degree from the Yale School of the Environment. Prior to her current role, she worked at several nonprofits, including Acterra and the Environmental Defense Fund, where she focused on sustainability and community engagement. With a deep commitment to preserving the unique and diverse history and landscapes of the Bay Area, Danielle is passionate about promoting sustainable land use in all her endeavors. In addition to her professional work, Danielle loves exploring the Bay Area's stunning hiking trails and hunting for unique home decor at estate sales.

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Jonathan is a lifelong Morgan Hill resident. He is a fourth-generation workers' compensation attorney. He is dedicated to the community and is passionate about conservation. He loves engaging the public and hiking the local trails with his dog. He enjoys traveling and photographing nature. Jonathan obtained his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate at Santa Clara University. He also volunteers with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority in the community outreach program. A fun fact about Jonathan is that he hiked 500 miles along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

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A resident of Morgan Hill since 1997, Kent Rounds is a recently retired executive. He has broad experience in managing businesses in the California tomato processing industry and precision machining sectors. Kent's exposure to agribusiness began with his father's career with Del Monte, and included five years living on a pineapple plantation in the Philippines. Summer jobs during his college years included a tomato cannery in Oakland and a peach cannery on Auzerais Street in San Jose. He started his management career at the Del Monte pickle plant in San Jose, while completing his MBA in Agribusiness at the University of Santa Clara. Kent has held management positions ranging from Shift Supervisor to Chief Operating Officer over 24 processing seasons. Kent's skills include operations management, business development, M&A due diligence, cash management, Financial and Cost Accounting, and business planning and forecasting. Since retiring December 2023, Kent has devoted his time to golf, travel and now as a board member with the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley.