Meet the Nominees
Two supervisors will be elected to a three-year term commencing January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2028. The nominees are Sue Cunningham, Brian Skinner, and Eric Penkal. Completed ballots may be returned to the office via U.S. Postal service or in-person, starting October 20, 2025, and must be received at the Delaware SWCD office by November 18, 2025 by 4:30 p.m. Further election information can be found by clicking here.
Candidate Bios
Sue Cunningham
Sue Cunningham and her husband, Phil, farm and reside in Thompson Township. In the past, they utilized conservation tillage, grassed waterways, subsurface and surface drainage, and a complete manure management plan. Sue works as a Nationwide insurance agent at Hollenbaugh & Associates and has served as a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor since 2002, including Board Chair for the past eight years. The Cunninghams are actively involved at the Richwood Church of Christ.
Brian Skinner
Brian Skinner and his wife, Connie, farm with their family at Hardscrabble Farms in Brown Township. Their family century farm operates 4200 acres. He graduated from OSU Agriculture Technical Institute in 1991 with an associate degree in Ag business. Brian has served on many boards and committees including the Delaware County Farm Bureau, Ohio Soybean Association, Delaware County Red Cross, United Way of Delaware allocations, and the Big Walnut watershed committee.
Brian and his family have been involved in numerous conservation practices. Thanks to the support of the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, he was selected as the 2013 Ohio conservation farmer of the year. Brian and his wife of 24 years have an adult son and daughter. Grant owns and operates his own IT business. Brooke is attending Suffolk University in Boston. Brian and his family have been proud to work with Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District for many generations.
Eric Penkal
Eric Penkal has dedicated his career to public service and community leadership. After growing up in Garfield Heights, Ohio, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Ohio University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He and his wife, Whitnee, make Delaware County their home, where they are raising their two children, Owen and Olivia.
Eric began his legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor in Morrow County before serving for twelve years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Delaware County. In that role, he handled both criminal and civil matters, providing legal counsel to numerous county and township agencies—including the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District. His work included land use, zoning, and development issues, giving him firsthand experience with the importance of responsible land and resource management.
Currently, Eric serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Delaware County Guardianship Services Board. In this capacity, he has overseen the creation of a new countywide public agency, managed its budget and staff, and built community partnerships to serve some of Delaware County’s most vulnerable residents.
Beyond his professional work, Eric has volunteered with Special Olympics, youth sports, and the Buckeye Valley High School Mock Trial Team. He and his family live in Concord Township with their golden doodle, Homer.
Eric’s background in law, government, and community service gives him a strong understanding of the balance between growth and conservation. He is committed to supporting the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District’s mission of promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources for current and future generations.