Staff Biographies
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Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney: Nathan joined Friends in November 2000 and became our Staff Attorney in January 2001. Nathan is licensed to practice law in both Oregon and Washington. While studying at Lewis & Clark Law School, he served as student body president and worked as a law clerk for the Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center and as the Law School's alternative transportation coordinator. Nathan has also edited and written for several legal publications. |
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Kelley Beamer, Conservation Organizer: Kelley joined Friends in June 2006 after serving as Policy Assistant for The Wilderness Society in Washington, DC. Kelley has worked as an eco-tour guide, leading hiking and biking trips in the US and Costa Rica and launched a new line of outdoor apparel with WL Gore and Associates. Kelley Graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2000 and holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Policy from American University. |
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Justin Carroll, Executive Assistant: Justin joined Friends in March 2006, bringing a background in marketing and communications writing, editing and instructional design. Justin focuses on grant writing, fundraising research and administrative support. A graduate of Brown University, Justin pursued his Masters in Conservation Biology at University of Missouri-St. Louis before shifting his focus from ecological research to pursue work in environmental advocacy. Justin is excited to help protect the environmental treasures that drew him and his wife to Oregon in 2004. |
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Peter Cornelison, Field Representative: Peter is a Hood River resident who has been very active in Citizens for Responsible Growth's efforts opposing a Wal-Mart megastore, and has also worked opposing Mount Hood Meadows' proposal to expand its ski area and create a destination resort near Cooper's Spur. Peter was active in the recent "Let the People Decide" campaign to require conversions of forest land involving residential subdivisions to go before a vote of the people. |
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Ryan Couch, Legal Intern: Ryan joined Friends as a legal intern in May 2007. A graduate of the University of Arizona where he studied ecology and evolutionary biology, Ryan worked briefly for the Arizona Game and Fish Department before moving to Portland to attend Lewis and Clark Law School. Ryan is excited to assist Friends’ legal efforts while gaining knowledge and experience. |
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Kevin Gorman, Executive Director: Kevin joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge in 1998 as Executive Director, after serving as Associate Director of Oregon Natural Resources Council, where he led fundraising activities and assisted in the managerial and organizational tasks of running the organization. Kevin is also past board president of the Earth Share of Oregon, a workplace giving organization. Prior to his non-profit adventures, Kevin was the creative director of an advertising agency in Detroit, MI. |
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Jane Harris, Development Director: Jane joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge in 1998 as Development Director after working in similar positions with the Oregon Environmental Council and Water Watch. With over 20 years' experience in fundraising for health, human services, arts, and environmental organizations in California, Washington and Oregon, Jane was instrumental in securing the $4 million bequest from the Yeon estate that will be used to start a Land Trust program. She is also president of the Oregon Center for Environmental Health, a non-profit focused on pollution prevention from a public health perspective. |
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Michael Lang, Conservation Director: Michael joined Friends in 1993 as Forest and Land Use Coordinator and has served as Conservation Director since 1995. Michael oversees all aspects of our monitoring and litigation program, as well as playing a key role in our lobbying efforts. Michael has intimate knowledge of the Management Plan, having reviewed development proposals and worked with County planners and Gorge Commission staff throughout his tenure here; he works with allies and the media to promote Friends' priorities. Prior to joining Friends, Michael directed campaigns for several electoral candidates and voter initiatives. |
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Marilyn Lipko, Development Assistant: Marilyn joined Friends in April 2007. She was previously the development assistant at Sisters of the Road Cafe for six years. Before moving to Portland, she spent 10 years living at a yoga ashram in Massachusetts, where she studied yoga and wholistic living. Marilyn is an avid bird-watcher and loves the Gorge. |
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Kate McBride, Land Trust Manager: Kate, a third-generation Hood River native, joined Friends in May 2006. She brings intimate land use knowledge from her previous 13 years as a real estate agent in the Gorge. She is currently involved with land use decisions as a member of the Hood River City Planning Commission. As co-chairman of Citizens for Responsible Growth, she helped stop the proposed Wal-Mart megastore in Hood River. |
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Rick Till, Land Use Law Clerk: Rick joined Friends in May 2006 to assist in carrying out the conservation and legal programs. Licensed to practice law in Washington, Rick is responsible for commenting on development applications and assists in appealing land use decisions. A native of the Pacific Northwest, he received a B.A. in Philosophy from Washington State University and a J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School. |
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Renee Tkach, Outdoor Programs Coordinator: Renee became involved with Friends as a co-founder of the Cape Horn Conservancy, an all-volunteer community group whose mission is to protect Cape Horn in the western Washington Gorge. Her efforts in gathering local support for the Cape Horn Trail have helped to secure county and state agency support for new recreation in the area. Prior to joining Friends, Renee was an Idaho river guide on the Snake and Salmon Rivers and has also enjoyed running environmental outreach programs to many schools and libraries throughout the Gorge. She is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. |
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