Erik Hein, Executive Director, National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers
Erik Hein is the Executive Director of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO), the national organization representing the State Historic Preservation Offices in every State, Territory and the District of Columbia before elected federal officials, federal agencies, national non-profits and the public. Before this position, which he has held since 2013, he was the President of Preservation Action, a national grassroots nonprofit organization focused entirely on federal historic preservation policy. Prior to that he held various positions at statewide, local and municipal historic preservation organizations and offices in Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

A national leader in historic preservation, he currently also serves on the Boards of several non-profit organizations including the Preservation Action Foundation, National Preservation Institute, National Preservation Partners Network, Preservation Delaware and the Lewes Historical Society. 

In addition to extensive public policy and nonprofit experience, Hein’s background is in communications and architectural history. He studied 19 th Century art and architecture at the Victoria University of Manchester, UK, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a Master’s in American Studies/Historic Preservation from the George Washington University.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Merrit, Deputy General Counsel, National Trust for Historic Preservation 
Betsy Merritt is deputy general counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she has been responsible for the organization’s legal advocacy program for almost 42 years. Although Betsy is known for her litigation work, having represented the National Trust in hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, she has a stronger interest in using negotiation and administrative advocacy to persuade government agencies to make more preservation-sensitive decisions, especially through consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

In addition to her litigation and advocacy experience, Betsy has lectured widely on preservation law, and she has testified before Congress regarding transportation policy and other issues relating to historic preservation. She has also been directly influential in shaping legislation and regulations implementing Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Ms. Meritt is a native of Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980, and from Mills College in Oakland, California, in 1976.

Rebecca Miller, Executive Director, DC Preservation League
Rebecca Miller has been with DCPL since 2003. In addition to supervising DCPL's day-to-day operations, she represents the organization as a consulting party to federal agencies on National Historic Preservation Act issues. This has included the consolidation of the Department of Homeland Security at the National Historic Landmark St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus, Union Station, and the FBI Headquarters. She has also led efforts to protect dozens of individual landmarks and historic districts throughout DC.

Marion Werkheiser, Founding Partner, Cultural Heritage Partners
Marion Werkheiser is an award-winning lawyer and chief executive of the law and policy firm Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC. Her firm is focused on advancing the principle of cultural heritage as a human right. The firm’s victories have strengthened international and federal preservation law, secured the protection of important sites, objects, and traditions, affirmed the sovereignty of Tribes and First Nations, and helped communities whose culture has been systematically devalued be heard in the courts, legislatures, and before international tribunals. Marion’s well-established practice is rooted at the intersection of development and preservation, and she negotiates in Section 106 consultations on behalf of tribes, local governments, descendant communities, and other consulting parties to achieve creative, win-win outcomes that appropriately balance preservation values and development needs. Marion earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and is licensed to practice law in California, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Greg Galer, Ph.D., Hon. AIA, HREDFP, Executive Director, APT
Greg has been Executive Director of APT since early 2022. In this role he has focused on the growth and professionalization of APT staff to better support the organization’s strong and active volunteers who accomplish most of APT’s activities. Expanding APT’s reach, visibility, and impact as well as financial stability have been central and ongoing accomplishments. His nearly 40-year career spans the breadth of public history including historic preservation, collection management, museum exhibits, documentation of historic sites, and adaptive use projects. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Preservation Partners Network. Greg holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Ph.D. in the History and Social Study of Science and Technology from MIT. He was awarded Honorary AIA status in 2022.