Amy Beyer, Director

amy@rivercare.org Amy recalls gaining her way into Michigan Technological University's engineering school by writing an essay on her personal passion for camping. Five years later she was heading to northern California with Masters and Bachelors degrees in chemical and environmental engineering, anxious to learn of all the best hidden spots between the Pacific Ocean and the Great Lakes. In her career she has migrated consistently toward business management and development, first in the consulting engineering world, and later at CRA, where she has been the Director since 1994. Amy's true passions circle around outdoor sports like fishing, skiing, biking and tennis, and a lifelong love of books, travel, and especially things that still need to be discovered. She sees CRA as a great scene for her, where the "problems" revolve around world class waters and landscapes, and where people from all walks of life pitch in to solve them. Amy lives in Suttons Bay with husband, Chuck, their two children, and a hunting dog.

Matt Thomas, Development Coordinator

matt@rivercare.org Forty years of living in northern Michigan has allowed Matt to see the changes to our landscapes and waterways. His lifelong love and respect for the natural world, nurtured through hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor recreations, drew him to CRA in 1999 after nearly 20 years as a court mediator. With a BS from Central Michigan University in psychology and over 10 years of development experience with CRA, Matt works to build relationships that benefit both the resource and people. He is a self proclaimed Traverse City "townie" that enjoys all that the area has to offer. You are likely to see him cruise by on one of his many bikes or heading for his favorite lake with his fishing boat or kayak in tow to try to hook the big one.

Kimberly Balke, Biologist

kim@rivercare.org Kimberly has a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University. She has lived in northern Michigan for 15 years with family ties to the area several generations back. Summer trips to family in Bear Lake strengthened the desire to live up here permanently some day. Kimberly loves the beaches along Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore and enjoys hiking, camping and cross country skiing, especially in view of our lakes and streams. She appreciates the new learning opportunities in taking care of our creeks and rivers at CRA; every year is different! Kim lives with her daughters, Lydia and Brielle in Lake Ann, where they can be spotted splashing in Ransom Creek in their rain boots.

Chris Pierce, Biologist

chris@rivercare.org Spending his summers growing up at the family cabin on Saginaw Bay, Chris became absorbed in the amazing wonders the woods and water presented him. His travels have carried him through 49 states and after playing in the mountains, oceans, and rivers of the West, he found his way back home in Michigan. Chris earned a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University with a focus on fisheries and watershed management. He now greatly enjoys getting his son and daughter, Riley and Macy, into the great outdoors to see where their experiments and travels take them. If he is not spending his spare time at the cabin, you might be able to find him with his family seeking the peace and solitude found in the woods and waters of Northern Michigan.

Eric Ellis, Biologist and Wild Link Program Manager

eric@rivercare.org Eric grew up in southern Michigan and has always enjoyed the outdoors whether it be hiking, backpacking, hunting, or fishing. He took that enthusiasm for the outdoor world with him to The University of Michigan where he received a BS in Resource Ecology and Management. The travel bug hit and he headed overseas to Mongolia with the Peace Corps as a parks and wildlife volunteer staying an extra year there to guide fly fishing and horse riding trips. While finishing a MS degree at the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources he heard about CRA and jumped at the opportunity to manage their Wild Link program. In 2007, Eric brought his enthusiasm for the outdoors to CRA and is working with private landowners to protect and restore northern Michigan wildlife habitat. Eric lives near Kingsley with his wife Diana and their daughter Genevieve.

Nate Winkler, Biologist

nate@rivercare.org Nate Winkler's lifelong connection to the rivers and woods of northern lower Michigan inspired the pursuit of a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management which he obtained from Lake Superior State University. Working for CRA fulfills his sense of obligation to serve the resources that nurtured him as a child. In addition, it allows him to make a living performing relevant and important work in conservation with equally committed and enthusiastic co-workers. Nate is married to Kerry and they have two kids, Max and Brook. Next to spending time with family, Nate's interests include trout fishing, canoe-racing and deer hunting.

Jill Rowley, Administrative Assistant

jill@rivercare.org As a little girl, Jill spent many days in her Grandpa Joe's fruit orchards in Leelanau County. She knew early on that this beautiful area is where she wanted to stay. Jill earned a BA in Human Resources from Michigan State University and has worked at CRA Since 1998. She values being part of CRA's hardworking team and occasionally breaks out of the office to be part of the "real work" CRA is known for. Jill enjoys a good laugh, camping, snowshoeing and spending time with her family. Most of all, she appreciates the effort CRA takes to care for the things that make this area special.

Sue Peck, Accounting

sue@rivercare.org While Sue is not technically a "native", she does consider Traverse City to be her home after having lived here for thirty years. Spending her high school years living in the old AuSauble Hotel in Frederic, Michigan fostered Sue's love of the history of northern Michigan. She currently indulges that passion by working to restore her 19th century home located in the heart of Old Towne. "I love that the work we do at CRA is helping to make rivers what they once were."

Diane VanderVeen, Contracted Chief Financial Officer

Kathleen Ryan, USDA RC&D Coordinator