About Us

Danny Filer

Danny, originally from Frostburg, Maryland, worked as a seasonal ranger with Ranger Rita Knox in Cumberland for four years before joining the park as a full-time Volunteer Coordinator. Danny has a bachelor’s degree in history, a Master of Education degree, and a Master of Business Administration degree. His interests include American social history, higher education administration, and public service programs. He has been in the Volunteer Coordinator position for the park since December of 2007. He can be contacted in his office at 301-714-2218 or by email.

Nate Finney

Nate was born and raised in Blacksburg, VA.  After high school, he attended the University of Mary Washington, where he graduated in May 2010 with a B.A. in Geography.  He spent the Fall of 2010 in the Allegheny National Forest where he was an SCA Trails Intern with the US Forest Service in Marienville, PA.  Nate enjoys playing a variety of sports, watching Virginia Tech athletics, listening to music, and looking at maps.  Nate is the Trails Coordinator for the park. He can be reached at 301-767-3736 or by email.

Geordie Newman

Geordie Newman graduated from Gettysburg College in 1997 with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Environmental Studies. He worked for the Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage for 14 years doing habitat restoration for wildlife. Geordie earned a Masters of Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences while working for CWH. He recently joined the C&O Canal NHP as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Palisades District. He can be reached at 301-491-1165 or via email.

John Noel

John grew up in the DC area and graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 1981 with a major in Accounting and Business & Finance. He spent the next 20 years working in the private sector as a CPA and sales representative. John has a passion for the national parks and decided to seek a new career where his talents could be utilized to preserve and protect the national parks. He was hired by the C&O Canal in 2001 as the Volunteer Coordinator. In 2004, he became the Partnerships Coordinator, and is now Chief of the newly formed Division of Partnerships and Volunteers. John resides in Shepherdstown, WV with his wife and three young children. He can be contacted in his office at 301-714-2238 or by email.

Amanda Potter

Amanda is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a BAAS in Sociology, Anthropology, and Art History. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, she has an extensive background working with non-profit organizations that lead her to work all over the country; from Alaska, to Colorado, Virginia, and now Maryland. She is excited to be part of the C&O Canal Division of Partnerships and Volunteers as a Volunteer Coordinator and Social Media Community Manager. Amanda’s interests include photography, traveling, and scuba diving. She can be contacted in her office at 301-745-5810 or by email.