Meet the Staff
Doug Walters
Executive Director
BIO
Harry Zweckbronner
Associate Director of Programs
BIO
Cindy Banks
Food Service Manager
BIO
Reilly McNamara
Associate Director of Environmental Stewardship and Education
BIO
Larry Covington
Facilities Manager
BIO
Floyd Berkeley
Housekeeping & Hospitality
BIO
Kelley Hope
Communications Specialist
BIO
Nina Spengler
Guest Experience Specialist
BIO
Paris Johnson
CHASE Assistant Director
BIO
Doug Walters
Doug is passionate about Presbyterian camp ministry and brings with him a wealth of experience and creativity in his role as Executive Director. Before joining the Camp Hanover team in October 2012, Doug had served for over a decade in a variety of leadership roles at various PC(USA) summer camps and retreat centers, as well as having served as a board member of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association. Doug is a communications graduate of Ithaca College, whose career path tended toward broadcast journalism and video production before following a call into full-time camp ministry within the Presbyterian Church in 1998.
Originally from New Jersey, Doug grew up attending a Presbyterian camp every summer. It was at camp, as a Counselor-in-Training, that Doug came to understand that God gives each of us special gifts and talents and calls us to serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
Doug met his wife Lynn at camp, and together with their three children, enjoys being outdoors in the camp setting, especially when playing guitar around the campfire. In addition to his passion for “all things camp,” Doug is well known for his dough-tossing skills. The rumor is that this Jersey native makes a pretty mean homemade, from-scratch pizza that rivals any you’d find at your local pizzeria.
Lisa VanderPloeg
“Thank you for calling Camp Hanover!” The cheerful voice you are most likely to hear when you call Camp Hanover belongs to Lisa VanderPloeg. Lisa serves as our office manager, and has been with this ministry since 2000. Lisa’s gifts of organization and wealth of camp knowledge keep our office running smoothly.
Lisa and her family moved to Hanover County from Chesapeake, VA in 1990 when her husband, Rick, was transferred for his job. Lisa enjoys cooking, sewing, and spending time outdoors with Rick and their 2 children.
Lisa would love to help you register your child for summer or winter camp programs or assist you, your church, school or organization plan a date for a retreat or other gathering at Camp Hanover. Need to tour our facilities? Give Lisa a call, and she will be happy to show you around this beautiful place apart.
Harry Zweckbronner
Harry believes strongly in all aspects of Christian camping, and he is most passionate about team building and giving kids the opportunity to grow in their faith. A lifelong Presbyterian, Harry’s experiences attending summer camp as both camper and staff member played a large role in shaping the person he is today. Because of this, he is passionate about helping others have similarly significant experiences.
Prior to joining the Camp Hanover team, Harry served for ten years as the Program Director at the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center, where he oversaw the summer camp program and year round youth retreats. Before following the call into camp ministry, Harry taught high school history for 7 years. Harry has also served on the board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association and is a standards visitor for the American Camp Association.
In his down time, Harry loves spending time with his wife, Ann, and their children Molly, Katie, and Grace. He also likes to cook, coach youth sports, and is an avid sports fan.
Cindy Banks
Ask anyone who has enjoyed a meal at Camp Hanover and you’re likely to hear them rave about one of our special treats – “Cindy’s rolls!” These home-made, from-scratch, oven-baked marvels are one of Cynthia “Cindy” Banks’ signature delights, and after you tasted them you’ll find it near impossible to eat just one!
Cindy loves to bless people with the comfort of good food. Before joining the Camp Hanover team in 2004, Cindy worked for 27 years in the school system. Cindy enjoys working alongside the Pathfinders in the kitchen, and knows how to put a smile on anyone’s face. Her strong faith and bright spirit are such blessings to this ministry.
Laura Haney
Laura has always been a lover of nature and camps. She is passionate about giving everyone space to discover the outdoors and is looking forward to creating more ways for people to connect with and explore the wonders of creation.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and biology from Randolph-Macon College, she worked as an instructor in several outdoor education centers across the country. A true servant leader, Laura spent a year in Tuscon, Arizona, re-building houses as a participant in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteer program. And before joining the year-round team at Camp Hanover, Laura served as the assistant day camp director at Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking tall mountains, making delicious food, reading good books, and playing music on the ukulele. Her bucket list includes visiting every National Park in the US, backpacking the Appalachian Trail, and filling her home with plants one day.
Larry Covington
Larry began serving as camp’s part-time site manager in 2008. Larry is a retired airport police officer who has a degree in criminal justice and 34 years of law enforcement service under his belt.
Under the tutelage of his father, Larry developed skills in maintenance and construction, growing up on a small farm. With skills in carpentry, farm operations, plumbing, electrical work, equipment and vehicle mechanics, Larry is Camp Hanover’s very adept “Jack of all trades.”
Larry also serves as an elder at Fairfield Presbyterian where he has been a member for over 40 years. Larry and his wife, Elizabeth, have two adult daughters. Larry enjoys restoring classic cars at his home in Old Church and displays his cars in local shows.
Floyd Berkely
Kelley Hope
As communications specialist, Kelley helps Camp Hanover share its ministry with others through words and visuals. She’s always on the lookout for stories to tell and photos to highlight. Do you have a great memory or experience you’d like to pass along? Send it by email.
Kelley has been a public relations and communications professional for more than 20 years, including positions in local and state government. She also works for Presbytery of the James, one of Camp Hanover’s ministry partners in the PC(USA). She lives in Henrico with her husband and two children.
Reilly McNamara
Reilly earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from James Madison University. After graduating, she worked for two years as an elementary school teacher in the Hampton Roads area.
Reilly began working at Camp Hanover in the summer of 2015 as a day camp counselor. She moved into the role of day camp director, before transitioning to overnight camp, first as a counselor and then as a unit director. In the summers since, Reilly has served in various camp roles, most recently as our after-school camp director.
She brings a passion for creative lesson plans, outdoor education, and helping kids find their place. In her free time, Reilly can be found hanging out with her tripaw’d pup, Stella, at the river.
Nina Spengler
Bio coming soon
Paris Johnson
Paris is passionate about serving others and creating meaningful connections. With a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a background in nonprofit work, she’s focused on building community and empowering those around her. Growing up building forts in the woods, climbing trees, and playing sports, she developed a deep love for nature and the outdoors. Now, she’s excited to create spaces where students can experience the same joys of childhood in nature.
When she’s not working, you can find her reading, checking out the arts scene in Richmond, trying out new recipes, or traveling whenever she gets the chance.