Board

The Board of Directors provides direction on such items as administrative policy, financial and legal oversight, personnel policies, fundraising and other administrative matters. The current Board of Directors is listed below. Organization affiliations are for identification purposes only.

Jeff Brown, UC Berkeley, Sagehen Creek Field Station:

Jeff’s educational path led him from the US Naval Academy, to the Northern Virginia Community College, to completing his degree requirements at the University of Maryland University College in Frankfurt, Germany with a Bachelor of Science. Professionally his course was far from straight. He progressed from the Fire Department, to owning a business in Germany, to managing a logistical operation for the US Department of State, to serving corporately with the Prudential Insurance Company; this work convinced him that what he needed was a less conventional lifestyle. This led him to working as a river guide in the summer and as an avalanche worker in the winter. He is now managing the Sagehen Creek Field Station for UC Berkeley. His involvement with the Truckee River Watershed Council began in July of 2001 and he has been actively involved on the board and with stakeholder committees. Jeff is married to Faerthen Felix, a wonderful person who shares his passions for the outdoors and taking life one step at a time! Both continue to mountain bike, backcountry ski, sail in the Caribbean, ski tour in Europe, and rock climb.

 Gayle L. Dana, Secretary, Desert Research Institute:

Gayle received a B.S. degree in Zoology from the University of California, Davis in 1976, a M.A. degree in Ecology from San Francisco State University in 1981 and a Ph.D. degree in Hydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1997.  From 1983 to 1992 she was a Research Specialist with the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she was Project Manager for limnological studies at Mono Lake, CA.  In 2003 and 2004 Dr. Dana was Deputy Director and then Interim Director for the Center for Watersheds and Environmental Sustainability (CWES) at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno NV.  Dr. Dana is presently an Associate Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute where she conducts research on surface water hydrology and energy balance of desert, seasonally snow-covered, and polar regions.  In addition to her position at DRI, Dr. Dana oversees a $14.5 M grant to Nevada in her position as the Associate Project Director of Nevada NSF EPSCoR. Gayle is a resident of Truckee, California and enjoys cross country skiing, hiking, and cycling. 

Marilyn Mermel Disbrow:

Born and raised in Washington D.C, in a Bureau of Reclamation family, Marilyn grew up discussing dams, water rights, and the power of just plain water. Receiving a Master of Arts in Information Technology from American University led to an IT career with United Airlines, American President Lines and Gap Inc. As a seasonal homeowner in Tahoe Donner from 1984 to 2005, her Mill Valley family spent many weekends here in Truckee enjoying recreational activities, and completed the transition to permanent residency with her husband in 2005. After an introduction to TRWC in 2006 Marilyn participated in numerous volunteer opportunities: Seminar on Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, TRWC History documentation, Soil Erosion Demonstration Garden at Sierra College, and currently the TRWC Sustainable Funding Team. Marilyn is also on the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation Women's Fund Leadership Team.

John M. Eaton, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation:

John has been an active member in many civic and public organizations including Eastern Nevada County General Plan Update, Open Space Subcommittee; Board of Directors, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation; Founding Member, Truckee Donner Land Trust; Natural Heritage 2020; Sierra Business Council; Board of Directors, Truckee Trails Foundation. In addition to the TRWC Board of Directors, John is actively involved with several stakeholder committees. Previously, John's career as a doctor has included a full-time practice of Neurology in San Mateo County, California, part-time teaching at Stanford University School of Medicine; Clinical Assistant Professor to Clinical Professor of Neurology; Professor of Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine; Professor Emeritus, since July 2000.

Dave Giacomini, Chair of the Board, Sierra Mountain Mortgage:

Dave is president of Sierra Mountain Mortgage, and a Truckee resident for 30 years. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys skiing, kayaking, hunting, and hiking in the mountains, and rivers of the Truckee watershed. It is his love of this special part of the high Sierra that motivates his passion for the Truckee River Watershed Council. “The restoration work done by the Watershed Council will be enjoyed by generations to come. There is no greater legacy to our grandchildren than an appreciation and respect of our mountain meadows and streams."

 Jake Hudson, Vice-Chair of the Board, Holdrege & Kull:

Jake is an avid hiker, downhill and cross country skier and cyclist.  He has lived in the Tahoe Truckee area for a long time, growing up in Squaw Valley and attending Tahoe Lake elementary school.  Jake has BS in geology from the University of Nevada Reno and a BS in civil engineering from California State University Sacramento.  He is a principal engineer at Holdrege & Kull Consulting Engineers & Geologists and manages their Truckee office.  Jake is a Professional Engineer and Certified Engineering Geologist with a passion for the outdoors and the Truckee community. 

Lauren OBrien, Shift:

In addition to serving as Chair of the Board, Lauren also leads the Strategic Planning Committee. Lauren owns Shiftt - Strategic Business Consulting Services in Truckee specializing in strategic communications and planning and multistakeholder facilitation. Lauren has been a Truckee resident for nine years. She lives here with her husband and three children. Lauren also serves on the Board of the Art and Culture Collaborative of Truckee Tahoe. 

Michael Park:

Michael and his wife, Marti, relocated from San Francisco to North Tahoe in 2003 to enjoy skiing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing and golfing while at the same time being passionate about preserving the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River Watershed.  Michael received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland and an Advanced Management Degree from the London School of Economics. Michael's  background in business and financial management, along with his involvement in the community is an asset to the Truckee River Watershed Council Board. Michael says, “Our attraction and appreciation of the Sierras is the inspiring space and healthy environment for our family and friends. My goal is to provide input to the Truckee River Watershed Council  to oversee its projects in a financially responsible way.”

Jody Poe, Media Recruiters:

In addition to serving on the board, Jody also serves on the Public Relations and Communications committee and has participated in Truckee River Day and the Adopt-a-Stream program with the Watershed Council. Jody owns an executive recruiting company, Media Recruiters - Truckee LLC, specializing in the placement of executive level newspaper and digital newspaper talent across the country.  Jody has been a Truckee resident for nine years.  She lives here with her husband Craig and son Shane, along with their dog Chili.  Jody is an active member of the Rotary Club of Truckee and enjoys her volunteer time.

Deb Ryan, Treasurer, The Sign Shop:

In addition to serving on the board, Deb also serves on the Finance Committee. Deb brings a strong background in management consulting and public policy development, most recently in the healthcare reform arena. For the past five years Deb has lived in Truckee, and has embraced our community, enjoyed our incredible mountains, becoming involved in our local issues, and staying busy in the winter months as co-founder of Stone Soup, A Community Soup Night in Truckee.

Gail Stephens:

Gail was born in New York but grew up in Japan.  She earned her BA at Cornell University, her Masters in Education from State University of New York, and her PhD in Psychology from California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles in 1990. Gail taught school and had her own consulting business before starting her private practice in psychology.  She and her husband moved to Truckee in May of 2007.  In addition to her varied work experience Gail has also been active in several non-profit organizations during her career.  She served in many capacities in her children’s schools, started a home owners association, served on the board of a special education school, and most recently as president of the board of directors of the Contra Costa CASA.  In her retirement, Gail is most interested in working to preserve and in enjoying the beauty of the Sierra environment.