Staff
Grant Werschkull
Co-Executive Director
Grant began working on Smith River watershed issues in 1977 as a consultant to the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Since then, Grant has worked as staff and consultant for a wide range public and private sector clients throughout California including the Nature Conservancy, Redwood National Park, the interest-based Water Forum negotiations in the Sacramento region, and Lopez Agricultural Services. Grant received his M.S. in Ecosystems Management from Antioch University West and his B.S. in Resource Recreation Management from OSU’s School of Forestry.
Patty McCleary
Co-Executive Director
Patty McCleary shares the responsibility of managing the Smith River Alliance with Mr. Werschkull. Patty is also the Project Manager for land conservation projects like the Lake Earl Wildlife Area expansion and Smith River National Recreation Area additions. Patty has over 30 years of experience working on conservation issues and has served as the Pacific Program Director for the Land Trust Alliance; Project Manager for the Trust for Public Land; Executive Director for the Washington Water Trust; and as National Conservation Representative for the Sierra Club. Patty received her B.A. from the U.C. Santa Barbara.
Mike Splain
Associate Director
Mike assists with communications, fundraising, and special projects. A Maryland native, he migrated to California’s central coast to pursue public land advocacy with Forests Forever, Sierra Club, and Ventana Wilderness Alliance. In 2021 he moved north to be closer to the Klamath Mountains while spearheading Resources Legacy Fund’s Conservation Funding Project. Impressed with Smith River Alliance, he soon joined our team. Mike is an avid naturalist with a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from U.C. Santa Cruz. He spends his free time seeking flora, fauna, and solitude with his wife Gabrielle and cattle dog Juniper.
Priscilla Winters
Fisheries Biologist
Priscilla works with the Program Director on research and monitoring focused on Pacific salmonid species in the Smith River and its tributaries. In addition, she manages the Annual Fish Count held at Rock Creek Ranch, conducts biological monitoring during habitat restoration projects, and assists with preparing biological assessments, permit applications, and permit compliance reports. Priscilla received her B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration and a minor in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys foraging, fishing, and reading.
Monica Scholey
Restoration Program Coordinator
Monica works with the Program Director and project partners to plan, design, and implement habitat restoration and land stewardship projects. She is also involved in the Elk Creek Feasibility Study and partners with the Executive Director team, diverse stakeholders, agencies, and private landowners to plan multi-benefit projects that increase the resilience of this urban watershed. Monica received her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon in 2006, and comes to the Alliance with over 10 years of watershed restoration project experience at Mattole Restoration Council.
Jeff Powers
Project Manager
Jeff works with the Restoration Program Coordinator for the Elk Creek Watershed Restoration Program. He has over Thirty years of conservation experience working with the Nature Conservancy, Peninsula Open Space Trust, and Big Sur Land Trust on stewardship and land acquisition projects. After relocating to the North Coast, Jeff is excited to join the Alliance and assist with planning, designing, and implementing habitat restoration and land stewardship projects in Elk Creek and the Smith River. Jeff has a B.S. from Ohio State University and M.S. from the University of New Hampshire in Wildlife Ecology.
Aimee Chudy
Operations Manager
Aimee manages human resources, provides financial and administrative support to the Co-Executive Directors, and assists with grant administration. Aimee has over 25 years of experience in human resources, accounting and administration across a variety of sectors and holds a B.A. from San Francisco State University and a Master’s degree from St. Mary”s College. She is an avid reader and enjoys the beach, cooking, gardening, hiking, and fly fishing.
Carole Petracek
Royal Bookkeeper
Carole helps manage the books by documenting daily transactions, preparing checks and serving on the annual audit team. She attended Syracuse University and loves travel, music, reading, Mah Jongg and a good joke. (Carole is the 2nd person from the left)
Kasie Tyler and AJ Higgins
Rock Creek Ranch Caretakers
Kasie comes to SRA with a background in fisheries fieldwork, ecological restoration, and environmental education. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science and Management from Cal Poly Humboldt. AJ works with the Del Norte Fire Safe Council and both AJ and Kasie are avid whitewater and outdoor enthusiasts. They share a connection to California’s North Coast and the Smith River and each brings their own skill sets and enthusiasm to the dynamic role of Rock Creek Ranch Caretakers, usually with their dog Griz in tow.
Sam Mosey
Rock Creek Ranch Special Projects
Sam has a broad range of experience maintaining and repairing systems and equipment, supervising landscape projects, and is experienced with construction, carpentry, and metal fabrication. He studied automotive and diesel technology before moving to Del Norte in 2015. His wife, Keri, and sons, Miles and Jasper embody the spirit of the place. The entire Mosey family has fallen in love with Rock Creek Ranch since then, and are great stewards of this an extraordinary place.
Vimal Golding
Field Biologist and Special Projects
Vimal has worked on the Smith River salmonid abundance and distribution surveys, including taking the lead on the backcountry component of the summer juvenile surveys. Presently, he works on special projects. Vimal holds a B.A. in Biology from Reed College and has worked for universities, federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations in fisheries, wildlife, ecological restoration and forestry. Vimal has logged over 10,000 miles on America’s long distance hiking trails, including earning his “triple crown of hiking” by completing the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide and Appalachian Trails.
Mike Frederick
Wildfire Preparedness Advisor
Mike Frederick supports the Smith River Alliance as an advisor in land management activities requiring an emphasis in fire and fire effects. Having served over a decade as the District Fire Management Officer of the Smith River NRA, he brings local expertise coupled with years of experience from across the nation. Mike holds a certificate in Biological Science for Land Manager’s From UNLV and spends his retirement years pursuing his outdoor passions.