As the rivers run high and the snow begins to melt we mark the transition from winter to spring. This year, we will experience much more than just seasonal changes for all of us here at EPIC.
After eight dedicated years of service to EPIC, Scott Greacen will be stepping down as EPIC’s Executive Director to become North Coast Director for Friends of the Eel River.
Meanwhile, as the colors erupt into a rainbow of blossoms this spring, we welcome a new leadership team at EPIC. With an eye for innovative transformation, EPIC’s Board of Directors has filled three Director-level positions. These people will carry on the traditional roles EPIC fills as environmental watchdogs, but also build real capacity for elevating effective campaigns and building our membership.
We welcome Natalynne DeLapp, as Development Director. Natalynne may be familiar to many of you from her three years working with EPIC, first as an intern through the Environmental Science program at Humboldt State University, then as a Policy Advocate in Sacramento on EPIC’s behalf. More likely you remember Natalynne for managing the campaign that successfully re-elected Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County’s District Attorney. Natalynne will work with the community to grow EPIC’s membership and organize regional events aimed at sanctioning membership involvement in EPIC’s ongoing work to protect and restore Northwestern California’s irreplaceable heritage.
We welcome Andrew Orahoske as Conservation Director. Andrew comes to EPIC as a environmental law expert who is versed in biodiversity protection strategies. He holds a J.D. from the University of Oregon, and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Colorado. His extensive track record as an environmental advocate includes work with the Earth Island Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Earthjustice, Western Environmental Law Center, and others. He has also worked as a field biologist in a number of locations, including northern California, Oregon, Montana, Arizona, Jamaica and Venezuela.
We welcome Gary Graham Hughes, as Executive Director. After two years serving on EPIC’s Board of Directors, Gary joins EPIC with a deep understanding of EPIC’s program work and history, and Humboldt County. Gary has an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Oregon, and extensive experience in management of U.S. and international environmental programs. Most recently he served as Patagonia Campaign Coordinator, Latin America Program, for International Rivers.
New staff and leadership at EPIC means changes in the way we communicate, operate, and coordinate our campaign work to protect Northwest California’s incredible treasure, a dynamic – and threatened – ecosystem.
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