Our Staff

Todd Ambs
President
503-542-8388

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Todd Ambs is River Network's fifth President and has worked in the environmental policy field for more than 30 years.

Matt Burke
Director of Corporate and Community Relations
503-542-8383

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For more than 15 years, Matt has been fundraising to protect rivers, the last 13 in various roles with River Network.

Ryan Carter
Information Technology Specialist
503-542-8386

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Having spent the past 10 years providing technical support for various companies including Microsoft and Symantec, Ryan decided he'd had enough of the 'Cubicle Fortress' and went looking something

Steve Dickens
Health & Environment Director
(802) 858-2160

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Steve directs our Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities Program, which provides tools to communities to investigate the connection between human health problems and environmental contamination.

Dawn DiFuria
Partnership Program Manager
541-276-1083

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River Network’s Partnership Program Manager, Dawn DiFuria, works with over 600 River Network Partners. She is also the coordinator of the annual Winter Training conference.

Merritt Frey
Rivers and Habitat Program Director
801-486-1224

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Merritt Frey is River Network's Habitat Program Director, and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jean Hamilla
Communications Manager
503-542-8391

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Jean Hamilla is River Network's communications manager, responsible for helping ensure River Network's visual face in its web content and design and in all River Network publications.

Kyle Jackson
River Rally 2012 Intern
503-542-8384

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Kyle Jackson is River Network's newest staff member. Kyle is originally from the Sand Hills region of Nebraska.

Kevin Kasowski
Director of Development and Communications
503-542-8381

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Kevin directs our fundraising and communications programs. Kevin has an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri and an undergraduate degree in ecosystem studies from UCLA.

Gayle Killam
Rivers and Habitat Program Deputy Director
503-542-8387

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Gayle Killam is the Deputy Director of River Network’s Rivers and Habitat Program.

Travis Leipzig
Water & Energy Program Coordinator
503-542-8396

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Hailing from the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Travis is part of River Network's Water & Energy Program. Travis has a B.A. in Economics from Lewis & Clark College.

Katherine Luscher
Education Program Manager
503-542-8397

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Prior to serving as River Network's Education Manager, Katherine was River Network's Partnership Program Director.

Cara Meyer
Partnership Program Assistant
503-542-8395

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Cara is River Network’s Partnership Program Assistant. She migrated to Portland, Oregon from Kentucky and is passionate about working with people to find valuable solutions.

Terry Miller
Finance Manager
503-542-8390

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As River Network’s finance manager, he is the main financial contact with our organization’s board and auditor.

Mary Ellen Olcese
Mid-Atlantic Program Manager
410-745-3053

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Mary Ellen has been with River Network as the Mid-Atlantic Program Manager since January 2008.

J. R. Ralston
Staff Accountant
503-542-8385

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JR was raised on the banks of the Willamette River outside the small town of Oakridge Oregon where, despite the fact that the local town was supported by two lumber mills, the concepts of conservat

Diana Toledo
Mobilization & Southeast Program Director
828-258-2109

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Diana Toledo is River Network’s Mobilization & Southeast Program Director and is based in Asheville, North Carolina.

Stephen Twelker
Human Resources & Office Manager
503-542-8380

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As Human Resources & Office Manager of River Network, Stephen Twelker is responsible for many aspects of the day-to-day operations that allow River Network and its staff to function efficiently

Wendy Wilson
Water & Energy Program Director
208-345-3689

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Wendy Wilson directs River Network's program on water and energy.