BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William Weiler, President (Lyle, Washington) works as a Habitat Biologist for the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). Previously, he served as the Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Specialist for the Lower Klickitat River Sub-basin, the Yakima Basin, and the Jewett Creek sub-basin for WDFW. Weiler led the initial curriculum development for the SECRETS science education program in 1996-97 and has served on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Earth Education for more than ten years. An accomplished author, his latest book is titled: Don't Run From Bears: and Other Advice on Living in the Columbia River Gorge.

David Weiss, Vice President (Carson, Oregon) graduated with a BS from The Evergreen State College with, according to his friends, a major in field trips. He has worked in Environmental Education for many years mostly as a Park Ranger at Bonneville Lock & Dam. David also works with the Oregon Forestry Education Program, and Elderhostel programs through Southern Oregon State University.  David was recently awarded 2007 Interpreter of the Year Award by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  When not working David enjoys hiking, kayaking, skiing, and if he gets in a little better shape he might start climbing mountains again.

Fritz Osborne, Secretary (Timber Valley, Washington) received a B.S. in Computer Science from Montana State in 1999 followed by a short career at Microsoft and Seattle's dot-com industry. After a fundamental change of heart, he became a Washington State Park Ranger and now lives out in the woods, raising kids & cats, and maintaining the Institute's website via satellite when he can spare a moment.

Thayne Cockrum, Board Member (Hood River, Oregon) joined the Gorge Ecology Institute from the Kellogg Institute at the University of Notre Dame where she was a grant writer and grant administrator. Cockrum, a former Spanish teacher, has professional experience with Latino outreach and sustainable rural development programs. She works on funding and development initiatives for the SECRETS programs, regional conferences, and publications.

Laurie Wilhite, Board Member (Goldendale, Washington) has a B.A. and Master of Education in School Administration from Central Washington University and has been a secondary school teacher for the past 29 years, most of them in schools along the Columbia River.  Each year in Portland, she works with the World Affairs Council of Oregon which involves Klickitat students in the International Speaker Series. A lover of the land, born and raised in Klickitat County on a wheat ranch, she is also a member of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy and serves as a 4-H club leader for students with focus on environmental stewardship.

Ella Hamilton, Board Member (Portland, Oregon) has been an active environmental educator for the past ten years. Before taking the role of director, Hamilton taught and coordinated school programs with the Rainshadow Institute as an AmeriCorps Intern for two years.  Previously Hamilton worked as an interpreter at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and lead University of California, Davis inquiry-based education programs. She also taught at Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School and worked with the Marin Headlands Institute’s Teen Environmental Action Mentorship program.

Julie Burton, Board Member (Hood River, OR)  has worked in Oregon and Washington as a secondary level science teacher. She also serves on the Columbia Gorge Earth Center and Columbia Gorge Art Gallery boards.  Her educational background includes biology, graphic arts, and ecology graduate work.  Her interests focus on science and arts education.

Marty Rudolph, Board Member (Parkdale, OR)  has worked in Oregon and Washington as a secondary level science teacher. She also serves on the Columbia Gorge Earth Center and Columbia Gorge Art Gallery boards.  Her educational background includes biology, graphic arts, and ecology graduate work.  Her interests focus on science and arts education.

Heather Weisfield, Board Member (White Salmon, WA) is newly retired, having formerly served as an Individual Placement Coordinator for the Northwest Service Academy, and as a Librarian and English as a Second Language Coordinator for White Salmon Schools.  Heather holds degrees in Education and Theology.  Heather is married and has 3 grown children.

Greg Pennyroyal (Petaluma, CA) is an Independent business consultant, having formerly served as the Director of Research, Science Center for Leiner Products. Previously, he was the General Manager of Flora Laboratories, Inc., a division of Trout Lake Farms Co. Until his move to California in 1998, Pennyroyal was Chairman of the Trout Lake Community Council. Pennyroyal is a founding Board member and continues to provide valuable assistance in business and legal planning.
 

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Jay Letto
Freelance public policy writer. Letto is an editorial board member of the Stanford University news magazine, and an advisory board member of the Science and Television News Network. He is former Environmental Program Director and editor of SIPIscope for the Scientists’ Institute for Public Information in New York. Letto is a founding Board member.

Dan Gunderson
Current director of Windwood LLC, developing the Wind River Hot Springs Resort and demonstration energy production; chair of the Wind River Watershed Council and serves with the local watershed resource inventory group. He is a past director of a non-profit organization which sponsored summer camps for children, and of a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Gunderson joined the Board in August 2002.