Our staff
Beth Christman
Sr. Director of Restoration
Beth holds her B.A. in Biology from UC Santa Cruz and her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. After finishing grad school, she was hired as employee #2 of the TRWC. Today, Beth runs various programs, leads restoration projects, and engages in policy work around the Truckee River. Outside of work you can find Beth skiing in the winter and camping in the summer!
530.550.8760 x1
email Beth
Sue Drake
Development Director
Sue holds her B.A. in Biology from the University of Montana. Sue was drawn to the TRWC’s mission of bringing the community together around the Truckee River. Her background in biology has allowed her to help donors and volunteers gain a deeper understanding of restoration. Outside of work you can find Sue reading, trail running, and skiing!
530.550.8760 x5
email Sue
Sue Drake
Development Director
Sue holds her B.A. in Biology from the University of Montana. Sue was drawn to the TRWC’s mission of bringing the community together around the Truckee River. Her background in biology has allowed her to help donors and volunteers gain a deeper understanding of restoration. Outside of work you can find Sue reading, trail running, and skiing!
530.550.8760 x5
email Sue
Tiffanee Hutton
Project Director of Restoration
Tiffanee holds a B.S. in Marine Biology and a M.S. in Watershed Science and Policy. She has been working for over a decade in fisheries management, aquatic ecology, and habitat restoration. Tiffanee is thrilled to be leading projects for TRWC with a commitment to improve climate resiliency and watershed function. Outside of work, she loves fly fishing, rafting, mountain biking, and skiing.
530.550.8760 x6
email Tiffanee
Pam Jahnke
Director of Finance & Operations
Pam Jahnke has been helping small businesses grow in the Truckee-Tahoe area for over twenty years. While her passion is finance, Pam understands that creating a strong company culture that supports the vision is key to being successful. While the numbers tell the story, the people create the experience. She works with businesses to implement processes and procedures, determine key financial metrics, and build strong teams. She has experience in many aspects of operating and growing a business from human resources, marketing and advertising, sales, implementing new software systems, bookkeeping, financial management, and e-commerce. If she’s not working, Pam’s often on her mountain bike, skis, relaxing on a Tahoe beach, out on a hike, or practicing yoga.
530.550.8760 x8
email Pam
Pam Jahnke
Director of Finance & Operations
Pam Jahnke has been helping small businesses grow in the Truckee-Tahoe area for over twenty years. While her passion is finance, Pam understands that creating a strong company culture that supports the vision is key to being successful. While the numbers tell the story, the people create the experience. She works with businesses to implement processes and procedures, determine key financial metrics, and build strong teams. She has experience in many aspects of operating and growing a business from human resources, marketing and advertising, sales, implementing new software systems, bookkeeping, financial management, and e-commerce. If she’s not working, Pam’s often on her mountain bike, skis, relaxing on a Tahoe beach, out on a hike, or practicing yoga.
530.550.8760 x8
email Pam
Michele Prestowitz
Executive Director
Michele is the Executive Director and was previously a Project Director of Restoration. Michele is focused on growing the Truckee River Watershed Council’s staff, its work in restoration and public policy, and deepening its partnerships within the community. Outside of work you can find Michele skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, or reading a great book! Michele holds her B.A. in Political Science and Biology, and her Masters in Public Health and Public Policy.
530.550.8760 x4
email Michele
Eben Swain Project Director of Restoration
Eben holds his B.S. in Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation Management and his Masters in GIS. Eben manages multiple restoration projects and helps guide the process from initial concept to project implementation. He loves that his role as a Project Director allows him to build a very intimate knowledge of the ecological processes, opportunities, and constraints that are unique to each project by seeing it through from start to finish. Eben also manages Truckee River Day, helping to coordinate hundreds of volunteers and partnering organizations for an annual day of community participation and restoration. Outside of work you can find Eben snowboarding, paddleboarding, or rafting!
530.550.8760 x7
email Eben
Eben Swain
Project Director of Restoration
Eben holds his B.S. in Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation Management and his Masters in GIS. Eben manages multiple restoration projects and helps guide the process from initial concept to project implementation. He loves that his role as a Project Director allows him to build a very intimate knowledge of the ecological processes, opportunities, and constraints that are unique to each project by seeing it through from start to finish. Eben also manages Truckee River Day, helping to coordinate hundreds of volunteers and partnering organizations for an annual day of community participation and restoration. Outside of work you can find Eben snowboarding, paddleboarding, or rafting!
530.550.8760 x7
email Eben
Sumner Cornacchia
Intern
Sumner holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Marine Environmental Science. After working seasonally with the USFS, Sumner fell in love with the nature of Tahoe National Forest. The TRWC 2024 Intern position is a great opportunity to further develop Sumner’s professional career in conservation. In her free time, you can find her hiking and camping around the Tahoe!
530.550.8760 x3
email Sumner
Sumner Cornacchia
Intern
Sumner holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Marine Environmental Science. After working seasonally with the USFS, Sumner fell in love with the nature of Tahoe National Forest. The TRWC 2024 Intern position is a great opportunity to further develop Sumner’s professional career in conservation. In her free time, you can find her hiking and camping around the Tahoe!
530.550.8760 x3
email Sumner