Evan Muchmore The staff of Sierra Nevada Alliance, March 2012

Staff emails: replace AT with @.
The Sierra Nevada Alliance phone number is (530)542-4546 and staff extensions are listed below.
 

Allison Peeler (allisonATsierranevadaalliance.org - extension 303, Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership Regional Coordinator

Allison is the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership's Regional Coordinator. Allison visited the Sierras in August 2009 and was so inspired she returned to Florida with a mission to find a position working to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the region. She has been involved with several nonprofits that have worked on issues such as nuclear disarmament, at-risk youth and low-income housing. Allison has served two AmeriCorps terms and believes that the AmeriCorps program plays a very important role in creating positive change in our country. Allison received a BA in Print Journalism, with an Environmental Studies minor from the University of South Carolina. As a native southerner, she is very excited about experiencing a Sierra winter and looks forward to upcoming adventures on the west coast and learning how to play the mandolin. In her free time, Allison enjoys simple crocheting, hiking and laughing with friends.

Craig Breon (craigATsierranevadaalliance.org), Regional Climate Change Program Director

Craig Breon is the Alliance's new Regional Climate Change Program Director.He will provide experienced leadership and strategic planning to train and support grassroots efforts to shape smart growth and develop model sustainable regional resource plans in the Sierra Nevada. Craig worked for twelve years with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, first as Environmental Advocate and then as the organization's first Executive Director. While there, he addressed issues of land use and natural resource planning in the Silicon Valley region, focusing on protection and restoration of creeks, wetlands, open spaces and habitats for rare and endangered species. Craig has also worked for the California Environmental Protection Agency, Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara and taught courses in Environmental law and Environmental Advocacy at Santa Clara University. Recently, Craig has been practicing law and consulting in the Bay Area. Craig grew up in Portola Valley, California. he received his B.A. from Williams College in Massachusetts and a J.D. from the U.C. Davis School of Law. Craig has spent time in the Sierra since his childhood. His favorite Sierra hiking spot is the Loch Leven Lakes - all places he has spent much time with friends and family.

Evan Muchmore (evanATsierranevadaalliance.org), AmeriCorps/VISTA Member, Sustainable Sierra Communities Program Assistant

Evan is an AmeriCorps/VISTA Program Assistant in the Sustainable Sierra Communities Program, specifically focusing on the EmPower El Dorado project. At the beginning of his career in environmental conservation, Evan is very excited to contribute to the Alliance’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and conservation in the Sierra. He recently finished a Master’s degree at Indiana University in Central Eurasian Studies, which included writing a thesis on international and local efforts to rehabilitate the Northern Aral Sea in Kazakhstan. Evan received his B.A. from Yale University in the History of Art and has traveled extensively to pursue various academic goals in Mongolia, Central Asia, Russia and elsewhere. Having grown up in San Diego and visited the Sierra frequently during his childhood, he is eager to experience Tahoe through the seasons, both on his bike and camping in the backcountry.

Gavin Feiger (gavinATsierranevadaalliance.org), Regional Climate Change Program Associate and Wyss Fellow

Gavin is the Alliance's new Regionial Climate Change Program Associate, a fellowship position supported by the Wyss Foundation. The Wyss Fellows program is designed to develop future conservation leaders. As an Associate, Gavin will advocate for smart policies to be implemented that protect Sierra lands, water, wildlife and rural communities and provide campaign support to Sierra conservations groups to implement strong policy at the local regional and state levels. Gavin most recently served a year fellowship with the Pew Charitable Trusts Environment Group's Clean Energy Program, pursuing advocacy, outreach and education related to renewable energy policies and vehicle and industrial efficiency. Prior to his fellowship, Gavin interned with Ecological Conservation Organization in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara, California. Originally from Montana, he obtained his Master of Environmental Science and Management in 2010 from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his BS in Geology from the University of Washington. When not working, Gavin spends much of his time enjoying all the Sierra has to offer.

Joan Clayburgh (joanATsierranevadaalliance.org - extension 307), Executive Director

Joan Clayburgh is the Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Alliance, joining the organization in December of 2001. The Sierra Nevada Alliance has been protecting and restoring Sierra land, water, wildlife and communities since 1993. The organization has over 80 member groups that work on conservation issues throughout the 400 mile long region. Primary programs address climate change, water management, sustainability and growth and development. Joan has over 20 years experience in non-profit management and in 2012 was presented the Carl Bard Environmental Advocacy Award at the 21st California Water Policy Conference. Prior to the Sierra Nevada she was the Sierra Club national press secretary, a founder and campaign director for the coalition Californians for Pesticide Reform, executive director of Pesticide Watch, and campaign director for CALPIRG. She has provided technical assistance, training, and consultation to grassroots organizations throughout her career. Her specialty is leveraging coalition resources to achieve conservation reforms at the local, state and national level. Joan graduated from Tahoe Truckee High School in 1981 and has a BA in communication from the University of California, San Diego. She is an outdoor enthusiast enjoying skiing, hiking, and camping with her husband and two dogs.

Joann Eisenbrandt (joannATsierranevadaalliance.org) extension 301, Administrative Manager

Joann Eisenbrandt joined the Alliance staff as Administrative Manager in September. Joann, originally from Southern California, has lived in the Tahoe Basin and the Southern Sierra for the last three decades. She brings with her a love of challenges and an eclectic background including print media writing and graphic design, medical and nonprofit office administration and teaching. Joann is excited to be able to put her love of the Sierra and her varied experience together to assist the Alliance in its vital role of “Keeping Light in the Range.”

Kay Ogden (kayATsierranevadaalliance.org - extension 304), Associate Director

Kay Ogden is the Alliance's Associate Director. Kay Ogden started with the Alliance in 2006 and is based South Lake Tahoe. Kay has been involved in many areas of development, fundraising, event management and outreach, and has strong interpersonal and communication skills. She has extensive experience managing projects, planning activities, and building alliances. And as important, she has a passion for the Sierra Nevada, a love of people, and adoration of the outdoors. She lives with her partner, Jeff, four once-feral cats and one rescue dog. She also has an attachment to 750-mile long bicycle races (PBP)and the mental and athletic challenges these races provide. Kay currently serves on the City of South Lake Tahoe's Sustainability Commission.

Kelly Miller (kellyATsierranevadaalliance.org - extension 316), AmeriCorps Member and Program Assistant for Sustainable Sierra Communities Program

Kelly is thrilled to be serving her second year as an AmeriCorps member and Sustainable Sierra Communities Program Assistant for the Sierra Nevada Alliance. She’ll continue working to support and foster a resilient Sierra through on-the-ground projects, innovative programs, publications, workshops and events. Once the snow clears, Kelly will be working closely with Tony Passantino, the other AmeriCorps/ Sustainable Sierra Communities Program Assistant, on the Truckee River Friendly Landscaping Program. Kelly received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 2007 from Clemson University in South Carolina. She moved to the Sierra in 2009, and soon after began interning at the Sierra Nevada Alliance as a way to remain active in the environmental field and gain knowledge about non-profit work. She served her first year as an AmeriCorps member in 2011. In her spare time, Kelly plans on exploring Sierra hot springs, parks and flora, while expanding her travel experiences throughout the West Coast.

Lynn Baumgartner (lynnATsierranevadaalliance.org - ext. 305), Outreach & Development Associate

Lynn grew up enjoying the outdoors in eastern Washington. An early interest in environmental issues led to a BA in environmental geology from Western Washington University, and an AmeriCorps VISTA position at ReUse Works in rainy Bellingham, Washington. She moved to California and earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at University of California, Santa Barbara (And spent a lot of time outside enjoying the weather). She’s worked on projects involving food access issues, environmental health and safety issues in the nanotech industry, and garbage & recycling studies. She is excited to use her background in development, outreach, and environmental issues as the Outreach and Development Associate at the Alliance. When she’s not working, Lynn is likely swimming, mountain biking, or coordinating inter-state book club meetings.

Morgan Fessler (morganATsierranevadaalliance.org - extension 312), Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership Program Director

Morgan joined the Alliance in 2007 to affect positive change in the Sierra that she loves so dearly. Morgan is a native of Northern California and comes to the Alliance with a conservation and restoration background working with organizations such as the Student Conservation Association, New Hampshire State Parks, and the National Park Service. Morgan holds a B.A. in Sociology and Global Peace and Security from UC Santa Barbara. During her free time, she can be found taking advantage of the snowy playground out her backdoor or lacing up her boots for her next backpacking adventure.

Tony Passantino (tonyATsierranevadaalliance.org - Extension 320), AmeriCorps Member/Sustainable Sierra Communities Program Assistant

Tony will be serving as the AmeriCorps/Sustainable Sierra Communities Program Assistant at the Sierra Nevada Alliance. He grew up in Sebastopol, California, but has been living in Los Angeles for the past five years while attending UCLA. Tony majored in Geography with an emphasis in Environmental Studies, graduating in Fall 2011. He also maintained the campus garden, presided over the wine tasting club “Purple Tongue Society” and organized sustainability events in competition with other area universities. Outside of the classroom, Tony has been active in environmental advocacy, holding positions with the national lobbying group, Food & Water Watch, coordinating sustainable living workshops in Santa Monica, and leading volunteer restoration trips to Death Valley National Park. Before attending UCLA, Tony lived in Hawaii for six months working organic farms and volunteering for the Department of Fish & Wildlife, and recently went to the far East including Mongolia, Siberia and Hong Kong as a program participant for Tahoe-Baikal Institute. When he’s not traveling, you’ll most likely find Tony with his nose in a book, hiking the Sierra, watering his garden or manning the backyard grill. He looks forward to working during his AmeriCorps year of service with the local Tahoe communities.