Board of Directors
The DRC Board of Directors
A Group of Diverse Stakeholders, All With a Vested Interest in Central Oregon Rivers
Board members represent agricultural, tribal, environmental, recreational, municipal, fish & wildlife, and hydroelectric interests in Central Oregon. As a consensus-based organization, the Deschutes River Conservancy relies on a unanimous vote by the board of directors for project approval.
Environment
Deschutes Land Trust
Environment
Deschutes Land Trust
Natasha is the Conservation Director for the Deschutes Land Trust. Prior to directing and carrying out all conservation projects under the Deschutes Land Trust, Natasha worked to restore stream flow for Oregon's rivers with the Deschutes River Conservancy and The Freshwater Trust. She is currently a board member for the Oregon Natural Desert Association, (ONDA). Natasha provides an environmental perspective to the DRC and our board.
(Board Chair) Tribal
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
(Board Chair) Tribal
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Bobby has spent his career managing natural resources for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Bobby now serves as the Tribes' Secretary/Treasurer & CEO. On the DRC board, Bobby represents the Tribes' interests. Bobby's experience and cultural knowledge bring a powerful voice to the importance of water to Indigenous People.
State
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
State
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Chandra is the Habitat Division Deputy Administrator and Water Program Manager at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. She advises the DRC on fish and wildlife and habitat considerations.
Chandra’s background is in natural resource law and policy with an emphasis on fish and wildlife and water issues, and she has almost twenty years of experience working for public and non-profit entities on natural resource issues.
Irrigation
North Unit Irrigation District
Irrigation
North Unit Irrigation District
Phil is a third generation Madras-area farmer who lives in North Unit Irrigation District, a district with the most junior water rights in the region. Because of the scarcity of water in his district, Phil has had to finely hone his watering practices to make the most of the water he has. Phil is also an avid fly-fisher and loves spending time on the river.
Local Government
City of Prineville
Local Government
City of Prineville
Steve is the City Manager of the City of Prineville. He brings a municipal perspective as well as the voice of the Crooked River Basin to DRC conversations. Steve serves as a board member for the Ochoco Irrigation District, and owns and operates a farm in Crook County. Steve spent 25 years as an executive in the Forest Products Industry.
Environment
The Nature Conservancy
Environment
The Nature Conservancy
Zach is the Sustainable Water Program Director at The Nature Conservancy. With his background in hydrology, Zach leads state- and watershed-scale research to better understand the resilience of Oregon’s most charismatic and biodiverse ecosystems: our springs, streams, and rivers. Zach’s expertise provides a valuable environmental perspective to the DRC board.
(Past Chair) At Large
Hydroelectric Production
Portland General Electric
Hydroelectric Production
Portland General Electric
Megan is the Natural Resources Manager for Portland General Electric at the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project in Central Oregon. She represents hydroelectric and anadromous fish reintroduction interests. Megan also advises the DRC on fishery updates and funding opportunities.
(Secretary/Treasurer) Irrigation
Central Oregon Irrigation District
(Secretary/Treasurer) Irrigation
Central Oregon Irrigation District
Craig is the District Manager for Central Oregon Irrigation District. As well as the President of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control. He represents the interests of senior water right holders in the Bend, Redmond and Powell Butte areas.
(Vice Chair) At Large
Brooks Resources
State
Oregon Department of Water Resources
State
Oregon Department of Water Resources
Emelie is a Senior Water Advisor at Oregon Water Resources Department. She advises the DRC on advancing and integrating complex water management initiatives to ensure a sustainable water future in the Deschutes River Basin.
Emelie’s background is in environmental policy, land use planning and project management. She specializes in collaborative landscape scale natural resource planning that balances diverse interests and needs.
Federal
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bridget is the Field Supervisor for the Bend Office of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She is leading the development of the Habitat Conservation Plan currently in process in the Deschutes River Basin and advises the DRC on habitat and species needs.
Federal
USDA Forest Service
Federal
USDA Forest Service
Bill is the Natural Resource Staff Officer at Deschutes National Forest, with over two decades of service with the USDA Forest Service. He has progressed from a Wildlife Biologist to his current role, concentrating on integrated watershed restoration throughout Central Oregon.