360° TEAM
The work we do today will meet your project goals while simultaneously preserving our natural resources for the future. As our clients’ most trusted business partner we deliver excellence with integrity.
LEADERSHIP
CHEZ BRUNGRABER
President and CEO
As the owner of SummitWest, Chez Brungraber is a strategic business leader who loves the challenge of putting people in the right places, finding new opportunities and seeking growth in underserved areas of the environmental industry. Currently Chez leads a team of more than 55 staff across 5 states …
Chez Brungraber
As the owner of SummitWest, Chez Brungraber is a strategic business leader who loves the challenge of putting people in the right places, finding new opportunities and seeking growth in underserved areas of the environmental industry. Currently Chez leads a team of more than 55 staff across 5 states.
Chez is an experienced wildlife biologist and project manager, emphasizing in endangered species management, regulatory permitting, and construction compliance. Chez has over 15 years of experience in support of CEQA and State and federal Endangered Species Acts, including planning, permitting, endangered species surveys, management plans, and restoration plans.
Chez is passionate about problem solving through creative processes, data management, and listening to the client. Chez prefers to work in a collaborative environment, and she founded SummitWest in 2010 to create the work environment she had always wanted to see.
DR. GRIFFIN BRUNGRABER
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Griffin Brungraber holds over thirteen years of project management and engineering experience and more than eight years of field biology and construction monitoring. He has participated in many botanical and wildlife survey projects and has an extensive background …
Dr. Griffin Brungraber
Dr. Griffin Brungraber holds over thirteen years of project management and engineering experience and more than eight years of field biology and construction monitoring. He has participated in many botanical and wildlife survey projects and has an extensive background in monitoring and compliance within sensitive habitats. Dr. Brungraber has worked in various habitats, including desert, national forest, coastal mountains, and urban or developed areas.
He has also spent more than 30 days on Catalina island and other remote locations, including 1000+ days outside of cell phone service in the Angeles National Forest, Mojave National Preserve, and more. Dr. Brungraber is skilled with radio, satellite phone, and satellite texting communications. He has participated in 500+ flights in project helicopters, and is familiar with the associated safety protocols.
His dual background in engineering and field biology make him ideally suited for building consensus on multidisciplinary teams. As a leader, Dr. Brungraber believes in asking good questions, keeping everyone on the same page, finding common ground, and win-win solutions.
DR. WILLOW LINDSAY
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Dr. Willow Lindsay brings to SummitWest nearly two decades of international leadership experience in wild animal research and project management. Dr. Lindsay’s immersive background in program development, grantsmanship, team building, data analysis, and scientific publication …
Dr. Willow Lindsay
Dr. Willow Lindsay brings to SummitWest nearly two decades of international leadership experience in wild animal research and project management. Dr. Lindsay’s immersive background in program development, grantsmanship, team building, data analysis, and scientific publication contribute to her comprehensive involvement with all aspects of SummitWest daily operations, and success in leading the SummitWest team as Chief Operating Officer.
Born and raised in rural Northwest Montana, Dr. Lindsay grew up close to the land. Her career as a field biologist started early in life, graduating from selling huckleberries as a child to seasonal work as a forester through high school. During college, Dr. Lindsay spent another six seasons cruising timber, clearing trails, and wildland firefighting with the US Forest Service. Her undergraduate research on Australian bees propelled her from a BS in Wildlife Biology to a PhD in Zoology – years spent chasing songbirds through the Outback, enthralled with the nuances of animal behavior. In her first Post-Doctoral research position, Dr. Lindsay spearheaded a series of field expeditions in Central and South America, aimed at understanding how bird brains have evolved to accommodate complex acrobatic courtship dance. From birds to reptiles, and the Americas to Scandinavia, Dr. Lindsay moved her growing family and research program to Sweden where she spent the next half decade as a University of Gothenburg Researcher. Increasingly galvanized by the effects of climate change on wild lands and animals, Dr. Lindsay immersed herself in the field of Climate Refugia Analysis, developing and implementing research programs to filter land-use planning through predictive climate models.
With SummitWest, Dr. Lindsay has found and embraced the perfect combination of scientific rigor, employee empowerment, and the dynamic challenge of a rapidly growing business in which to engage the full array of her strategic leadership abilities.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Brian Walthour
Accounting Manager
Brian Walthour
Brian brings many years of accounting and managerial experience to the SummitWest team. After receiving his B.A. in Business Management Economics from University of California, Santa Cruz, Brian started his career in the payroll department of a construction company in Southern California and quickly worked his way up through the ranks, ultimately becoming the company’s Controller. Brian’s business sense has been fortified through dedication to making sound decisions regarding income and expenses that not only prospers the company, but helps customers feel they are in good hands.
Brian relocated to Bend, Oregon to experience everything that the high desert has to offer. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, landscape design and has a passion for gardening and anything involving plants.
Dr. Calum Ninnes
Environmental Program Manager
Dr. Calum Ninnes
Dr. Calum Ninnes is an experienced ecological researcher with over 13 years of experience managing research projects in Tanzania, South Africa, New Zealand, Spain, USA, Sweden, and Antarctica. Dr. Ninnes is experienced in managing all aspects of a project’s lifecycle, from permitting, budgeting, team construction, and leading field teams, to data analysis and final publication production.
Through his career Dr. Ninnes has amassed extensive fieldwork experience in remote areas around the world, from New Zealand backcountry only accessible by helicopter, to isolated rural sites in Tanzania lacking electricity or cell phone coverage, to camping in Antarctica 100 miles away from the nearest base. These challenging field conditions have shaped Dr. Ninnes into a decisive leader and excellent problem solver.
Many of Dr. Ninnes’ projects have involved working with critically endangered species, such as the New Zealand birds kakapo, kokako, and kiwi. Beyond this Dr. Ninnes has experience working with a large range of protected species, and is familiar with the sensitivities and regulatory diligence that is required.
Dr. Ninnes’ experience of interacting with all kinds of people from around the world have made him an excellent communicator who is engaging and personable. Dr. Ninnes is a skilled critical thinker, who is diligent, forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic company, client and project needs.
Christina Wenborne
Human Resources Manager
Christina Wenborne
Christina grew up in southern California, moving from the high desert to Orange County and eventually settling in the Inland Empire. She spent most summers camping at the Kern River exploring, fishing and swimming with her family. These fond memories were a catalyst to a career supporting environmental conservation.
Christina brings over 20 years of administrative experience in a plethora of disciplines including Human Resources, Accounting, Marketing and Payroll. Since 2015, she has worked with environmental firms providing Planning, Environmental Compliance, Marketing, Human Resources Management, and administrative support on a variety of projects and teams. Her eclectic background allows her to see the “big picture” and gives her a deeper understanding of projects from start to completion.
Further, Christina brings nearly 10 years of Human Resources Management to the SummitWest team. She has an in-depth understanding of management and employee relations that allow her to bridge the gap and create a harmonious, cohesive, and supportive environment for all levels of staff. She strives to ensure that her team feels supported, empowered, and challenged.
Most weekends, Christina can be seen volunteering in her local community, doing anything creative from scrapbooking to cake decorating, or cheering for her son’s T-ball team.
Erin Barnholdt
Project Development Manager
Erin Barnholdt
Erin has worked for conservation non-profits across Oregon since the early 2000’s, focusing on restoration ecology and community engagement. Her field work has focused on testing various strategies to restore native plant communities and riparian function. With experience in project management, field surveys, permitting applications and collaborations with private, government and local sectors, Erin has a well rounded background that allows her to jump into new situations and readily make connections.
Erin has her Master’s degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management from the University of Wyoming and her B.A. in Environmental Science and Art from St. Olaf College. She serves on the board of the Deschutes Basin Native Plant Seedbank. During her free time she enjoys all things outdoors, adventuring with her husband and daughter, and doodling in her sketchbook.
Evelyn Chandler
Senior Cultural Resources Specialist
Evelyn Chandler
Evelyn holds a Master’s in Archaeology and Heritage with 32 years of experience in cultural resources management, specializing in southern and central California’s inland archaeological resources. She is an expert in NHPA Section 106, CEQA compliance, and Native American consultation under AB 52. Evelyn has managed hundreds of cultural resource projects, including inventories, excavations, and site evaluations for NRHP and CRHR eligibility. She excels in impact assessments, mitigation strategies, and construction monitoring. As a Principal Investigator meeting U.S. Secretary of Interior and Caltrans standards, she has held multiple ARPA and Cultural Resources Use Permits for federal agencies. While primarily based in California, Evelyn has also worked in Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Maryland, and Nevada. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring nature, gardening with native plants, and reading.
Linsey Blake
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Linsey Blake
MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
Brittany Gumbleton
Environmental Coordinator & Wildlife Biologist
Brittany Gumbleton
Mrs. Gumbleton gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, San Bernardino in Biology. Before switching gears into field biology, she worked as a veterinary technician for over 9 years. This career path helped increase her understanding how important it is to follow strict standard operating procedures and diligent record keeping. Mrs. Gumbleton is currently working as a wildlife biologist conducting pre-construction surveys and construction monitoring throughout the SCE territory. She has shown herself to be an excellent birder, has gained familiarity with Southern CA habitat classifications, and has gained valuable skills interpreting and enforcing environmental requirements during construction monitoring. Her energy sector experience coupled with her past botanical experience in the San Bernardino Mountain Range have made her a well-rounded biologist. Also, her proficiency in analyzing collected data, willingness to add to her repertoire of knowledge by taking training courses, and her overall scientific background make her a strong addition to any team.
Bissy Murphy
Accounting Support & Bookkeeper
Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Geology with a minor in Environmental Science at Hartwick College. Fieldwork experience to complete her degree included geology work in the
Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia; ornithology studies in upstate New York and in the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming; thesis work on Pre-Pleistocene Micritic Lithoclasts on San Salvador Island, Bahamas; and geology field camp in the Bridger Mountains, Montana.
After graduating, a part time sales position morphed into managing a small business in Bozeman, MT. This paradigm shift was followed by a series of bookkeeping and accounting positions for a variety of businesses. Focusing on her professional development, Elizabeth returned to academia for an accounting degree at Central Oregon Community College. She also earned her Tax Preparer License and has been preparing income tax returns for the last 5 years.
Elizabeth is excited to be part of the SummitWest team where she is able to combine her passion for the environment with her love of numbers. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking in the Cascade Mountains around Bend, traveling and exploring new places or working on a craft project at home.
Deborah Cheatham
Lead Environmental Coordinator
Deborah Cheatham
Deborah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science from Purdue University in 2019. She quickly moved out west to be closer to mountains where she could hike and backpack. She has worked with Spotted Owls, desert tortoises, lizards, rattlesnakes, and squirrels, and is always looking to work with new species. She has worked in Indiana, California, Oregon, Arizona, and Alaska, but her favorite place she has worked has been Sitka, AK for its beautiful mountains and gorgeous ocean views. She has a passion for fire and disease ecology. In her free time, she loves board games, roller skating, and ultimate frisbee.
ERIN SEXTON
Finance Manager
Erin Sexton
Erin grew up in Southern California hiking and exploring the local mountains which sparked her excitement for the outdoors, the environment, and conservation. She went on to earn her degree in Environmental Geography at Cal Poly Pomona and spent time volunteering at Joshua Tree National Park and Sequoia National Park. Following her volunteer work in National Parks, Erin moved north to Reno, NV and then Bend, OR to immerse herself in the high desert and explore what the new regions have to offer. In her free time, Erin enjoys camping, hiking, and adventuring in new areas.
Gillian Hansen
Administrative Assistant
Gillian Hansen
Gillian was raised in the redwoods near the northern coast of California. She is an outdoor enthusiast, environmental advocate, and breakfast burrito connoisseur. She recently finished a 2,650 mile thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and currently lives in Bend Oregon. With an educational background in Outdoor Leadership and Business Administration, Gillian is excited to bring her skills, creativity, and love for the outdoors into projects that benefit both people and the environment.
Jesse Haag
Geologist & GIS Analyst
Jesse Haag
After earning a BSc. in Geoscience with High Honors from Stockholm University, Jesse Haag completed the course and research requirements for an MSc. in Geology and immediately found his professional skills in high demand. As Planner/Sanitarian and Floodplain administrator for Lincoln County, MT, Jesse successfully manages a high volume of projects involving a complex array of land-use engineering, permitting, and public communication. In his free time, Jesse exercises his strong work ethic by consulting as a Geologist and GIS Analyst for SummitWest Environmental. In between all of this, Jesse is writing his MSc. thesis entitled ‘Mineralization and alteration paragenesis of Fe-oxide-sulfide-REE mineralization in the Bastnäs area, Bergslagen ore district, Sweden.”
Katja Whitham
Safety Officer & Wildlife Biologist
Katja Whitham
Katja has a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz. While her education and experience have been mainly marine focused, she is starting her migration to the terrestrial world. She worked for 5 years as a marine science educator before obtaining her Master’s degree and shifting to a career focused in scientific research. Her experiences includes working as botanist support for rare plant surveys, working on a schooner in Greenland to collect and analyze water and air samples, and conducting a seaweed harvesting experiment to measure optimal growing conditions for commonly consumed California native species. Katja also conducted a research project focused on seagrass ecosystems. For this project she created a habitat loss map of Eelgrass in the San Diego Bay using ArcGIS, created and conducted a survey gathering information about the knowledge of seagrass ecosystems, and created an educational film about seagrass ecosystems. When Katja is not in the field, you can find her backpacking, camping, diving, and knitting!
Kim Fisher-Moe
Project Manager
Kim Fisher
Kim has almost a decade of experience in wildlife field work, including research, conservation, and environmental consulting. She has worked with a variety of species including capuchin monkey, domestic chicken, gorilla, orangutan, striped skunk, coyote, great horned owl, kit fox, antelope squirrel, kangaroo rat, burrowing owl, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, spotted owl, bald eagle, northern goshawk, bumblebee, bat, and various avian species. In addition to field work, she has experience with mapping, statistical analysis, capture and release of wildlife, report writing, permit compliance, and project management. Kim earned her MS in Biology from California State University Long Beach and her BS in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University. After living in several states, she moved to Bend, Oregon, and is excited to join the SummitWest team. When she is not working, you can find Kim hiking, training dogs, reading, trying to find the best pizza in Bend, or spending time with her cats and soon-to-be husband.
Maggie Stoegbauer
Accounting & Administrative Support
Maggie Stoegbauer
Since a young age, Maggie has seen herself as a steward of the outdoors. After many years of exploring the environment, living in Arizona, Washington, and now Oregon, she decided she wanted to dedicate her career to saving and maintaining these natural areas. By applying her passion, Maggie has found that she can make a more significant impact through administration and policy changes. While finishing a double degree in Business and Sustainability, with the idea of entering law later in life, she currently works on the accounting and administration team for SummitWest. Outside work, she is avid in the snowsports and mountain biking community, finding joy in helping others get outside and have fun doing so; working in the outdoor recitation community for nearly a decade has allowed her to see the outdoors from the point of view of those who love, cherish, and use the land.
Mark Hopkins
CEQA ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT MANAGER
Mark Hopkins
Mark has a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Project Management from Colorado Technical University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Botany from California State University, Stanislaus. He is a plumber by trade, Registered Dental Assistant by training, and went to college to become a Dentist. But life changed, with a young family, Dentistry was replaced by Desert Restoration, plant surveys, and erosion control for the Department of the Army at Ft. Irwin. This turned into doing NEPA/CEQA documentation, plant and animal surveys, understanding Federal funding requirements, Capital Improvement Project Management for several municipalities and private companies. He demonstrates extensive CEQA/NEPA knowledge for transportation, public works, and development projects. Having been the CEQA/NEPA lead for both the municipal and private sector, he has an aptitude to understand projects thoroughly. This ability allows the anticipation of conflicts and potential solutions to prevent project setbacks. Mark loves to fish in the high country, game, and take care of his fish and freshwater shrimp tanks.
Molly Kilper
Environmental Analyst
Molly Kilper
Molly has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Kent State University and currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina. Wildlife conservation has been a large part of Molly’s career but has extended into environmental protection, technology applications, and public outreach. She has worked with several wildlife rescues with a variety of species including Asian Elephants, Tamanduas, Hyacinth Macaws, Gray Foxes, Great Egrets, Crested Caracaras, and more. Her experience managing a wildlife rescue in Texas sparked her interest in biological research. Here, she pioneered a raptor survey for a nearby natural area, attended graduate school, worked as a bird identification specialist, and eventually, obtained a field-based position conducting avian productivity surveys. In her spare time, Molly loves to continue volunteering with wildlife, searching for shark teeth on the beach, or reading and relaxing with her two cats.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Alexandria Amaki
Archaeologist
Alexandria Amaki
After graduating with a B.A. in Anthropology from CSU Chico in 2015, Ms. Amaki then attended Louisiana State University and received her Masters in Anthropology in 2021. During her time in school she focused on forensic anthropology and worked in two different forensic laboratories where she gained fieldwork experience and her knowledge of human and non-human remains. In 2023 she began working as a full time archaeologist and has since spent many hours in the field honing her skills in archaeological site and tool evaluation in surveys and monitoring construction and arboreal work
Alyssa Eltzholtz
Archaeologist
Alyssa Eltzholtz
Alyssa Eltzholtz was born and raised in California and obtained a B.A in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. After studying abroad during her B.A she spent 5 years in South Africa and completing a M.A in Archeology and gaining Laboratory and archiving experience as well as various research projects and excavation work. She then desired to return to California and focus on obtaining experience in cultural resource management work as well as on the ground survey experience in central and southern California. She continues to look forward to new opportunities to continue to explore the natural beauty of California as well as take time to develop new skills. In her down time, she enjoys leisure hikes, reading, and admiring art.
Bella Dominguez
Archaeologist
Bella Dominguez
Originally from Los Angeles, Bella now resides in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California with her boyfriend, dog Artemis, and cat Garbanzo. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, thrifting, learning about medieval history and historic fashion, reading fantasy novels, and exploring the outdoors.”
Elyse Duarte
Archaeological Analyst
Elyse Duarte
Elyse Duarte graduated from California State University, Chico in 2020 with her Bachelors degree in Anthropology and Environmental Planning, and certificate in Cultural Resource Management. She completed her archaeological field school in Barcelona, Spain at an ancient Neanderthal cave dwelling. With 3 years of field work in several states across the US, Elyse has experience with archaeological excavations, surveys, construction monitoring, lab work, and report writing. Elyse is excited to work for a company that is environmentally forward, and supports her recently becoming a mother.
Kayci Owen
Archaeologist
Kayci Owen
Kayci graduated from the University of Oklahoma with her BA in Anthropology with a focus on archaeology and museum studies in 2020. She completed her archaeological field school in Roncesvalles, Spain where she gained hands-on experience with human and faunal remains. Kayci has experience with the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, and has approximately 3 years of experience with pedestrian survey, site documentation, collections management, and GIS application. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Cultural Resource Management online with Adams State University and is always looking for new opportunities to build upon and apply her archaeological knowledge.
Noah Wallick
Cultural Resources Lead
Noah Wallick
Noah is an archaeologist and cartographer with more than four years’ experience across the continental United States. Mr. Wallick obtained his bachelor’s in archaeology from the University of Kansas, and is working on his master’s degree in geospatial science from the University of Central Arkansas. Noah specializes in prehistoric lithic analysis/typology, and cultural exchange in the American west. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Noah developed a passion for travel, having now visited more than forty countries. When he’s not reading about old shipwrecks, Noah can probably be found playing music around his home in Grass Valley, CA.
FIELD BIOLOGISTS & BOTANISTS
Abra Schlotz
Abra Schlotz
Abra has a longstanding passion for ecology, starting from the age of 10 volunteering with the High Sierra Trail Crew. She graduated from Mills College with a degree in Biology and received a Field Methods in Ecology certification from Sacramento City College. While familiar with survey methods for birds, fish, small mammals, herps, and bats, she specializes in botanical work. In her free time, Abra enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants.
Alex Aylard
Alex Aylard
Alex is a California native who graduated from California State University, Channel Islands with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science & Resource Management. Having seen an increase in wildfire and severe drought conditions in his lifetime, Alex has become motivated to do his part in contributing to the restoration and conservation of natural ecosystems. Some skills he’s acquired over the years include an expertise in performing post-fire restoration work and in trail building/maintenance. He’s also gained a proficiency in fuel reduction via chainsaw work, herbicide use, UAV utilization, training others on restoration work protocols, tree surveying, and pollinator surveying. In his spare time, Alex enjoys backpacking on the John Muir Trail, donating his time towards local open space restoration work, strength training, traveling the world, and hiking with his field guides on hand to educate himself on the local flora and fauna. He loves the natural world, loves to work hard, but even more he loves to see that his hard work has made a positive impact on the natural world.
ALICIA DOOHAN
Alicia Doohan
Alicia graduated with a degree in Environmental and Earth Science from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2014. She has had a varied and immersive career that began with working as a naturalist and wilderness guide in the Salish Sea and throughout New Zealand. She went on to work in outdoor education in Washington and Montana. Alicia then shifted into marine research, focusing on ocean soundscapes and the impact of noise pollution on marine mammal behavior in British Columbia. A passionate educator and environmental advocate, Alicia is determined to uplift species longevity and ecosystem integrity through her work as a SummitWest wildlife biologist. When she isn’t working, Alicia loves to backpack, surf and garden.
Angelina Guzman
Angelina Guzman
Angelina Guzman earned her Bachelors of Science from California State University of Fullerton, in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Angelina has 3 years of experience in fieldwork and data collecting. In college she was a research scholar with SCERP, she completed various projects including her own independent research. In this program, she learned various field techniques/surveys, as well as report writing. She worked closely with the California Mussel, Pin-tailed Whydah, the native/non-native oyster of San Diego, and surfperch fishes. She has about one year of experience being a groundwater technician. Angelina also has experience with identifying birds, intertidal organisms, algae, as well as some CA plants. She is excited to continue working all over California as a wildlife biologist. Some of her hobbies include exploring new places, camping, and bird watching.
CAITLIN DICARLO
Caitlin DiCarlo
Caitlin DiCarlo graduated from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science Sustainability. She then graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology through their online program, Project Dragonfly’s Global Field Program. Caitlin is currently a wildlife biologist working throughout southern California conducting habitat assessment and pre-construction surveys as well as construction monitoring work. Previous to this field work, Caitlin has worked doing post-construction species impact surveys, assisting in bird and bat mist-netting surveys, and worked with various community conservation groups in different countries during graduate school. She has a background in zoological facilities, parks and recreation, and environmental compliance laboratories, which allowed her to gain a better understanding and appreciation for a variety of wildlife and habitats, as well as an understanding of environmental permits and hazards. She has a passion for birds, bats, and conservation and spends her free time volunteering performing bird count surveys and bat rehabilitation, doing wildlife photography, and hiking.
Camille Troncone
Camille Troncone
Camille is based in Southern California, mainly working in the High desert, Inland Empire, Orange and LA County. She graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor’s in Biology with an emphasis in ecology and evolution. Her lab and technical skills paired with field experience varying from nesting bird, botanical and small mammal surveys to construction monitoring make her a versatile biologist.
Cecilia Compton
Cecilia Compton
Cecilia graduated with a degree in environmental analysis and science from Pitzer College in Claremont, California. She is from Colorado and spends much of her time exploring the outdoors. She is now translating that passion into her work as a biologist. Her field experience ranges from plant demography projects at 10,000 ft elevation to soil sampling in Costa Rican forests. Cecilia enjoys exploring how environmental policy affects projects and how to best perform field work informed by these policies. As a wildlife biologist at SummitWest, Cecilia hopes to continuously acquire technical skills to best suit her work with natural resources. When she is not working, she can be found mountain biking, at the beach, or exploring somewhere new.
Daniel Wolfe
Daniel Wolfe
Daniel Wolfe is a dedicated botanist with a BS in Botany from Cal Poly Humboldt, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for the intricate world of plants. With a focus on rare plant surveys and exotic and invasive habitat management, Daniel excels at preserving and protecting fragile ecosystems. His true passion lies in working on restoration sites, where he restores natural habitats to promote their native ecology, ensuring that biodiversity thrives for future generations. When he’s not knee-deep in fieldwork, Daniel enjoys the quiet beauty of nature, foraging for fungi, playing disc golf and taking road trips with his family.
Danielle Simmons
Danielle Simmons
Danielle is a New York native who graduated from the University of Buffalo, with a degree in Environmental Studies. In 2022, Danielle drove cross country to start work in California for a meadow monitoring position with the US Forest Service. Here, she would conduct monitoring surveys for all of the National Forests within California. Her monitoring included flora species in bogs, wetlands, grazing allotments, and meadows. Other duties included green line surveys for streams and creating GIS maps for remote sites. Some of Danielle’s hobbies include backpacking into wilderness areas, cooking plant-based meals, and creating mixed media art.
Erica Weed
Erica Weed
Erica has a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and is interested in wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and data analysis. Her past experience includes performing data collection and analysis to study arthropod population dynamics, guiding kayak tours in Santa Barbara while promoting environmental stewardship, and leading habitat restoration projects throughout Southern California to remove invasive species. In her free time you can find her at the beach, playing trivia, or working on a puzzle.
Erin Hall
Erin Hall
Gianna Lozano
Gianna Lozano
Gianna earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration from Cal Poly Humboldt. Since then, she has done various types of fieldwork for several agencies. Gianna has a passion for working outdoors in the field and a professional background in consultation, forestry, vegetation management and wildlife surveys. When working for the BLM she small mammal trapping, designed a coverboard plot to assess salamander species abundance as well as variety of avian surveys such as Northern Spotted owl, songbird, raptor and Western Snowy Plover. Living in the Sierra Nevada, her favorite project was using eDNA in mountainous streams to verify if Mountain yellow-legged frogs were present. In her free time, Gianna enjoys cooking, yoga, bird watching, volunteering for the humane society, gardening and hiking with her dog
Grace Voress
Grace Voress
Grace Voress is a field biologist who has earned a BS degree from the University of La Verne, where they studied how the presence of certain macro invertebrates can indicate water quality and gained a deeper understanding of marine and freshwater ecosystems. They are interested in volunteer opportunities for many special species. Grace has a diverse range of expertise in rare plants, herpetology, small mammals, and nesting birds, along with experience in Bio-Monitoring for SoCal Edison contractors.
Grant Howard
Grant Howard
Grant Howard graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Biology. He is passionate about the evolution and ecology of vertebrates. He believes in the preservation of both our living ecosystems and the fossilized remains of ancient ones. Grant has performed numerous field surveys for nesting birds, woodpeckers, and special-status species with SummitWest. He has also performed monitoring for special-status plants and amphibians. Additionally, he is knowledgeable of vertebrate morphology, wetland delineation, math, report writing, RStudio, PCR, and air scribe. Grant has a strong dedication to learning new skills. He has spent substantial time in the lab and the field, and works to use his experience to provide value as a team member at SummitWest.
Isabella Furlanis
Isabella Furlanis
Isabella Furlanis is a staff wildlife biologist with SummitWest. Before joining the team, Isabella graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. She grew up loving the outdoors and spending time with animals which is why she chose to pursue a degree and career in environmental sciences. In her free time, Isabella loves to travel, spend time exploring outside with friends, and read books.
Janet Garcia
Katelyn Hammel
Katelyn Hammel
Katelyn Hammel is a wildlife biologist with SummitWest. Before joining the team, Katelyn graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology from UNC Chapel Hill. She has previously worked as a tutor at Veritas Collaborative children’s hospital in North Carolina, and as a wildlife conservation apprentice at Oglebay-Good Zoo in West Virginia. Her experience includes nesting bird and rare animal and plant surveys, herpetile husbandry, animal behavior research, tropical species research, and fish farm conservation studies. In her free time, Katelyn loves to read, hike with friends, pet sit and walk dogs, and play her violin!
Kelly Clack
Kelly Clack
Kelly Clack embarked on her field career more than eight years ago, initially serving as a backcountry guide. Throughout those years, she led a variety of expeditions such as rafting, backpacking, and mountaineering. Her early years instilled an appreciation for the importance of preserving natural environments. Motivated by this passion, she pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University, Chico, subsequently dedicating herself to a career in the field. Kelly‘s professional journey encompasses diverse experiences, including conducting wetland surveys for various species, nesting bird surveys, and construction monitoring. Like many biologists, she finds solace in immersing herself in wild places during her time off.
Kyla Schmeck
Kyla Schmeck
Kyla is a Wildlife Biologist with SummitWest and earned her degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with a minor in Animal Science from the University of Vermont. Previously, she worked as a park ranger for two different federal agencies, the National Park Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Some of her field experiences include nesting location and emergence surveys for threatened and endangered turtle species in Vermont and Costa Rica as well as marine mammal experience observing and analyzing data on seals and manatees. Kyla worked in wildlife rehabilitation which taught her human-wildlife conflict mitigation and how to properly handle wild animals. Working as a park ranger, she gained experience with natural resource projects such as nesting bird surveys, riparian habitat restoration, and timber stand forestry work. Operating in an environmental compliance role taught her how to strategically communicate and share knowledge with both the public and stakeholders. Her culminated past experiences have taught her natural resource management and conflict mitigation skills and have given her the ability to handle unique situations involving both people and wildlife. She is excited to further contribute to protecting wild places and animals by advocating for them and assisting to create a more symbiotic relationship between wildlife and humans. In her free time, Kyla can be found mountain biking, cooking, snowboarding, walking dogs, or reading a book.
Kym Gibson
Kym Gibson
Kym Gibson earned her Master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton. She has been working in environmental consulting since 2017. Over her career, Kym has worked throughout California and Southern Oregon. Her roles have ranged from Proposal Writer to Wildlife Biologist to Lead Field Ecologist. She has experience in working with kangaroo rats, northwestern pond turtles, California condors, California gnatcatchers, desert tortoise, kit foxes, eagles , bats and many other special status species. She was recently a bat and avian lead field biologist on the lower Klamath in Northern California. Currently, Kym is a Wildlife Biologist and Assistant Project Manager. In her free time, Kym enjoys petting cats and going to metal concerts.
Luke Paczos
Luke Paczos
Luke earned his Bachelors of Science in Natural Resource Management from Grand Valley State University. After graduating, Luke traveled west to New Mexico to work for the U.S. Forest Service and continued to work seasonally as a biological science technician conducting wildlife surveys for national forests in Oregon and California. In addition to his extensive survey experience, Luke also works as a ski instructor in the off season, contributing to his passion for outdoor recreation and education. In his off time he also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, and video games.
Madeline Martinez
Madeline Martinez
Madeline holds a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. After graduating, she began seasonal work in the Colorado Desert as an environmental services intern, where she gained experience working with flat-tailed horned lizards and learned how to navigate a desert environment. With her newfound love for the desert, she moved to Arizona to monitor the endangered masked bobwhite quail. There, she developed skills in VHF telemetry and animal husbandry. She also spent time working for the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico, conducting Mexican spotted owl surveys and exploring caves. Most recently, Madeline worked as a California condor monitoring technician, where she strengthened her telemetry and husbandry skills while gaining invaluable experience handling condors and drawing their blood. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, catching movies, and spending time with her chihuahua and shih tzu.
Margaret Gallagher
Margaret Gallagher
Margaret is a field botanist and biologist based in Los Angeles. After growing up on a farm in rural Oregon, she attended Occidental College and received a BA in art. While working in LA’s fashion industry and developing her own artistic practice, Margaret re-discovered a passion for native plants and found a home in LA’s vibrant community of naturalists. She initially built up her botanical & biological skills through volunteering with local environmental nonprofits, community science projects, Jepson workshops, California Native Plant Society events, and community college classes. Professionally, she has had the delight of working in a variety of ecosystems throughout California: performing vegetation monitoring for the NPS in the redwood forests of northern California, BLM AIM ecological monitoring in the deserts, and rare plant, invasive plant, and special habitat mapping in several national forests throughout California’s mountains. She also enjoys working with birds and amphibians, and has a special soft spot for frogs and toads. During the off season, Margaret works as an artist creating detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations that celebrate the beauty of native ecosystems.
Maria Angulo
Maria Angulo
Maria is a recent graduate from the University of California, San Diego where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, with a minor in Marine Science. She grew up loving animals and has always known that she would dedicate part of her life to protecting them. Maria has always loved the outdoors and is thrilled to be working as a wildlife biologist, a position that allows her to protect various plants and animals. In her free time she enjoys cooking, going on hikes, and playing with her pet cat, Milo, as well as picking up random crafting hobbies for a few months at a time.
Michael Blount
Michael Blount
Michael graduated from Rogers State University in Oklahoma with a B.S. in Environmental Conservation. He scratches his vagabond itch and curiosity by travelling to different ecosystems and working with whatever wildlife he can. Some favorites include airboat surveys for snail kites in the Everglades, triangulating greater prairie-chickens in the heartland, and rescuing reptiles from the trenches of the Permian Basin. Sometimes you can catch him in the office working with NEPA or GIS. In his free time he enjoys hiking, biking, literature, and creating stuff with his hands
Michael Schwanhausser
Michael Schwanhausser
Michael Schwanhausser earned a Bachelor of Science from Cal Poly – Humboldt in Wildlife Conservation and Applied Vertebrate Ecology. His degree has equipped him with a wide variety of skills, including plant, fish, and wildlife identification, experiment design, data entry, and the ability to sample and extract DNA. He has a proficient background in scientific writing (JWM) and strong communication skills that enable him to relay information to those with or without a scientific background. His most recent project involved designing a multi month experiment that examined the effects of habitat fragmentation on the abundance and diversity of salamanders in the Arcata Community Forest. During his study he independently identified more than 300 salamanders to species level and sampled 4,000 square meters of second-growth redwood habitat. His experience surveying in the Pacific Northwest overlaps with Northern Spotted Owl, fisher, and Humboldt marten habitat, making him well-versed working within forested habitats.
Pete Havlik
Pete Havlik
Pete grew up in Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh. Here he completed a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Social Justice. After a few years of hopping between field work in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Nevada, Pete began focusing on compliance and mitigation work for utility companies in the Desert Southwest. With a young child at home, Pete has shifted focus away from fieldwork to more office and remote oriented roles. To this end, Pete completed a GIS certificate program at Michigan State University in 2021. He has most recently worked as an Addressing and NextGen 911 Specialist for Bayfield County in Wisconsin, performing frog acoustic analysis surveys in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and as a lead biologist on a pipeline hydrotest project in California. In his free time, Pete enjoys playing soccer, trail running, reading, drinking tea, and spending time with his family.
Rob Gumpert
Rob Gumpert
Rob Gumpert earned a bachelor’s in biological science and a master’s in secondary education, both from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Prior to joining SummitWest as a Wildlife Biologist, Rob worked as a vegetation survey technician, a land maintenance technician, and a wildlife technician at military installations in Alaska. Projects included live trapping and tracking wolverines, tracking moose and wolves, counting smolt and adult salmon, deploying and monitoring remote cameras, clearing vehicle trails, documenting habitat degradation, and cataloging vascular plant species. In addition to working in environmental science, Rob has supported construction logistics on Alaska’s north slope, and taught secondary students in grades six through twelve, in subjects ranging from life science to US government. When he is not busy looking for interesting plants and animals, Rob enjoys reading, hiking, camping, board games, and making things out of wood and metal.
Rose Havlik
Rose Havlik
Rose grew up in Connecticut and earned a Biology degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She spent her time after graduating working field jobs including insect surveys in Hawaii, desert tortoise population surveys in Nevada, small mammal trapping and bird counts in the Snowy Mountains of Wyoming, and environmental education in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Over the past decade, Rose has focused on compliance and mitigation work in the Desert Southwest supporting utility projects. Since becoming a mother, Rose has been shifting her career away from field work towards office support work. She enjoys spending time with her family, crafting and mending, and riding her bike around town.
Ruby Sainz
Ruby Sainz
Ruby graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology) and a Master’s degree in Biology (Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Science). While at ASU, she participated in an ecology research lab where she became an expert aquatic invertebrate taxonomist. Since then, she has worked with the US Forest Service in Arizona and National Park Service in California surveying special-status amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Ruby is very passionate about wildlife and is excited to gain experience working with more species. In her free time, she loves to read, try new food recipes and spend time with her two rescue chihuahuas.
