Staff

		Saul Weisberg Executive Director Saul is executive director and co-founder of North Cascades Institute. He is an ecologist, naturalist and writer who has explored the mountains and rivers of the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years. Saul worked throughout the Northwest as a field biologist, fire lookout, commercial fisherman and National Park Service climbing ranger before starting the Institute in 1986. He authored From the Mountains to the Sea, North Cascades: The Story behind the Scenery, Teaching for Wilderness, and Living with Mountains. Saul serves on the board of directors of the Association of Nature Center Administrators, the Natural History Network, and the Environmental Education Association of Washington. He is adjunct faculty at Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University. Saul and his family live near the shores of the Salish Sea in Bellingham, Washington.

		Jeff Anderson Science Coordinator Jeff works to incorporate field-based science and research into the Institute's programs. He has an undergraduate degree from The University of Richmond and a graduate degree from The Evergreen State College, where he researched the breeding biology of an endangered bird species in Washington State. Prior to coming to the North Cascades, Jeff was lucky enough to conduct research and teach in some of the most beautiful spots in the country, including Denali National Park, the Sonoran Desert, and the waters of the Puget Sound, the Bay of Fundy and the island of Hawaii.

		Kevin Biggs Field Naturalist Kevin is an instructor-naturalist with the North Cascade Institute and is happy to be able to "run around in the woods with kids." Originally from Vermont, he earned a degree in environmental studies from Warren Wilson College in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

		Tom Borst Caretaker Tom has worked for the Institute since 2007. He currently lives in Marblemount. In his free time he enjoys kayaking, climbing, and generally enjoying the North Cascades.

		Debra Brodie Director of Administration Debra been with the Institute since 2001. She has over 25 years of administration management and nonprofit leadership. Her background includes over 15 years at Stanford University, eight of those in the School of Education as manager of graduate research assistantships and fellowships, and department manager in the School of Engineering handling accounting and finance, research contracts and grants administration and human resources.

		Amy Brown NC Wild Program Coordinator Amy has been coordinating and leading the Institute's North Cascades Wild program since its inception in 2006. Prior to this, she earned her M.Ed. in Environmental Education through the Institute's graduate residency program and Western Washington University. She has more than fourteen years of experience taking youth and adults outdoors, including skills as a whitewater kayaking instructor and raft guide in North Carolina and Tennessee, adventure travel leader in Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico, and interpretive park ranger in Utah. An aficionado of beautiful and inspiring places, she has counted breeding birds on Mount Rainier, monitored peregrine falcons in northwest Colorado, and studied rainforests in Australia. Amy is a whitewater kayaker at heart, but also loves telemark skiing, backpacking, nature journaling, thimbleberries, alpenglow, the song of the hermit thrush and making up silly songs.

		Laura Busby Program Director Laura has diverse experiences in environmental education that span over 30 years. She has dissected rhino manure with 6th graders, partnered Roots & Shoots groups in the U.S. with ones in Tanzania, developed a plan for a new urban nature center, mist netted bats in Belize, and lots of other fun stuff. She got her BS from the University of Minnesota, College of Education in Recreation, Parks and Leisure and a Masters degree in Environmental Science from the Institute of Environmental Science at Miami University.

		Katie Chipko Program Coordinator Katie coordinates Mountain School and other Adult and Family programs at the Learning Center. Leaving the small mountains of Kentucky for the giants of Colorado, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both Geography and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado in 2005. She fell in love with science, trees and exploring unknown places while conducting fire ecology research in Rocky Mountain National Park as an undergraduate. She spent two years as an Americorps volunteer in Portland, OR, before shifting her focus to education while teaching students about giant trees, fungi, and amphibians at Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center in Oregon. In her free time she enjoys creek hopping, cooking, and exploring the North Cascades trails.

		Mike Cuseo Sous Chef Mike moved to the Skagit Valley from Colorado in 2008. He lives in Marblemount with his wife Erin and daughter Ayla, who arrived in April 2010. He has worked for several years in kitchens and also has experience in digital video production, ski industry marketing, commercial sound and lighting, ski tuning and residential construction. His hobbies include skiing, playing guitar and making pancakes.

		Lindsey Frallic Grants Coordinator Lindsey develops and presents funding proposals to corporate, foundation, and government organizations interested in supporting the Institute’s mission. Her career path has drawn her to organizations with a vested interest in creative problem solving, ranging from museums to institutes of higher education. She is an avid traveler and has become convinced that the North Cascades is one of the best places on earth. In her spare time, you can find her headed out for an alpine climb, hike, or ski tour.

		Jeff Giesen Education Director Jeff leads program development for our stewardship and summer youth programs including North Cascades Stewards, North Cascades Wild, Parks Climate Challenge and the Kulshan Creek Neighborhood Program. Jeff has a Bachelor's degree in environmental education, a Master's Degree in Science and fifteen years of experience, including positions at residential centers in Ohio and Georgia. He has been with the Institute since 1998 and lives in Bellingham with his wife Janet, daughter Kate (9) and son Will (7).

		Kristofer Gilje Operations Director Kristofer has been with NCI operations since 2007. For the previous ten years, Kristofer served as operations manager for Holden Village, a remote Lutheran retreat center in the North Cascades. For more than twenty years before that he worked as a building contractor and carpenter in Bonners Ferry Idaho, Minnesota, and California. Kristofer blends 35 years of experience in construction, maintenance and risk management with a philosophy degree from the Paracollege at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Kristofer divides his time between the Learning Center campus and his home in Bellingham where he and his wife Kristen are restoring their hundred year old home. Their grown daughters Kaia and Johanna are off exploring the world.

		Jessica Haag Marketing & Design Coordinator Jessica is a Pennsylvania native, graduating from the University of Missouri with dual degrees in English and Graphic Design. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer on the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia from 2000-2002. A certified SCUBA diver, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking and traveling.

		John Harter Facilities Manager John and his wife Sheri moved to Newhalem from the Midwest looking for mountains and adventure and have found both in the North Cascades. John’s experience in facilities is extensive and he prides himself and his staff on delivering top-notch service to our customers. When John is not working at the Learning Center, you will find him playing outside climbing, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, birding or doing trail work.

		Jan Healy Bookstore Manager Jan Healy came to the Institute in the fall of 2009 to open the bookstores at the four visitor centers in the North Cascades National Park. After working for 12 years in the social services, she jumped at the opportunity to work at an independent book store and stayed there for the next 20 years. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest (except for a few excursions to Montana, Wisconsin, Maine, and Massachusettes) Jan does not intend to leave the area again and is excited to explore her new home and the wealth of accessible outdoor experiences. Of course, they have to wait in line behind trips to the Oregon coast, her home away from home.

		Anne Hubka Learning Center Administrative Assistant Anne lived at the foot of Mount Rainier for 22 years, where she raised her two children prior to coming to the North Cascades. She's been an ardent recycler and lover of the earth for more years than she cares to think of. She lives in Marblemount with her dog and cat, and enjoys hiking, canoeing and gardening.

		Jon Humphrey Systems Administrator Jon is a technologist, musician, and scientist who has explored the landscapes of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Connecticut, Alaska and Washington. Jon worked in both the private and public sectors in many IT roles from phone support tech, to Apple Genius, to Systems Administrator. He plays bass with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, sings in a choir, and teaches several musical instruments. When not at work or participating in some musical activity, you'll find Jon making gourmet meals, staying in shape on a track or at the gym, and exploring the great outdoors near his home in Bellingham where he lives with his wife Lisa, dog Sunny, and 2 cats (Charlie and Artemis).

		Brooke Larrabee Special Projects Brooke has a BA in Anthropology/ Archeology from Western Washington University and has worked as an archeologist for both North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. Born and raised in Bellingham, Brooke feels a passion for Washington's wild places. She currently resides with her husband Mike, her big yellow dog Paddy, and four chickens (Xena, Maddie, Camilla and Chuck) in Bellingham. In her spare time she enjoys running, gardening, baking and reading.

		Orawan Layne Bookkeeper Orawan was born and raised in Thailand. She has a BA in Accounting from Ramkhamhang University, Bangkok. She moved to the US in 1988. Since moving to the US, she has been living along I-5 from the South to the North: San Diego, CA, Eugene, OR, and now Bellingham, WA. She was a YMCA certified aerobics instructor and has taught Step and Kickboxing classes since 1996. Now she gets up at 5 am and uses an elliptical machine at home before she comes to work. She likes gardening, running, and hiking.

		Deb Martin Registrar Deb was born and raised in the western mountains of Montana where her love of nature and the outdoors flourished. She and her husband have raised their family in Bellingham, their home for the past 27 years. In her spare time, Deb operates her small picture frame shop, gardens, reads and spends as much time as possible sharing the outdoors and all its wonders with family and friends.

		Christian Martin Communications Coordinator Christian serves as the lead writer and editor for Institute print and online publications and as lead contact for media inquiries. In recent years, he has been the features editor for the Bellingham Weekly, an English instructor at Whatcom Community College and a field educator at Trailside Discovery Camp in Alaska. Christian's freelance writing work can be found in publications throughout the Pacific Northwest. When not writing, reading, blogging or podcasting, he loves to take road trips, make soup, go hiking, observe birds, paddle his sea kayak, see live music, go snowboarding and make the annual pilgrimage to Black Rock City.

		Megan McGinty Climate Specialist With more than 20 years of experience teaching in the field, she has guided and taught in Mt. Rainer, the Everglades, Patagonia, Costa Rica and elsewhere before settling in the North Cascades. She holds a B.A. in Geology from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Institute's M.Ed. residency program. Curious about everything, she has participated in field research in glacier monitoring, geological mapping and black swift nesting sites. In her free time she climbs, serves on a non-profit board in Bellingham, writes, collects jokes that only fifth-graders find funny and goes backcountry skiing.

		Kate Rinder Lead Climate Challenge Instructor Originally from the Midwest, Kate moved to Portland, OR in 2008 to work with the Northwest Earth Institute. She completed her M.Ed. in Environmental Education through Western and NCI’s graduate program in 2012. She has studied in Australia with SIT and traveled throughout Europe. She is passionate about working with youth, the outdoors, protecting the environment, and sustainability. When not at work, Kate spends her time sharing meals with friends, hiking, going for full moon canoes, running, doing yoga, naturalizing, art, jumping in lakes, preserving food and learning how to knit.

		Amy Ortiz Registration Assistant Prior to working at North Cascades Institute, Amy worked as a preschool teacher and then in social services, where her love for working with people grew. Amy is new to Washington, having moved here in 2010 from Southern California. After being born and raised in the desert, she is enjoying the lush green scenery and even the rain of the Northwest. On her time off she explores Washington by camping and fishing with her husband and her black lab puppy.

		Katie Roloson Curriculum Coordinator Katie uses her diverse background and creative energy to support, develop and evaluate quality educational programs. Katie earned her M.Ed. in Environmental Education through the Institute's graduate residency program and Western Washington University and has a B.A. in philosophy, theology and psychology from King's College University. She has a background in fine arts, culinary arts, sports exercise and dietetics and has experience educating youth and adults in a variety of fields including art, gymnastics, fitness, culinary arts and environmental science.

		Jason Ruvelson Controller Jason has diverse background experience including strategic planning, auditing, financial analysis, market research, and developing business plans. He has received a M.B.A. from Western Washington University, a M.A. in Contemplative Psychotherapy from The Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts in Transpersonal Ecology from Fairhaven College. Jason has a deep connection to the Pacific Northwest, having lived in the region for over 30 years. He has spent significant time sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, hiking and camping throughout our region. Currently living in Sudden Valley, Jason loves to play percussion and is also involved in the study, education, and practice of Tibetan Buddhist meditation, including serving on the council at the Bellingham Shambhala Center.

		Kacey Shoemaker Retail Associate A local Skagitonian, Kacey found her way back to the Great Northwest after exploring both abroad and up and down the west coast. She spends the majority of her time at the Newhalem visitors’ center and checking in with the five other retail locations that she and Jan Healy oversee together. In her spare time, Kacey enjoys frolicking in the woods with her dog, cooking and canning, escaping to her beautiful cabin in Republic, WA and camping (in all seasons).

		Aneka Singlaub Climate Challenge Coordinator Aneka has helped coordinate the Cascades Climate Challenge Program since its inception in 2009 as a graduate student. She earned her M. Ed. through the Institute's residency program in March 2010. A native of Western Colorado, her passion for the natural world grew through exploring the Rockies by boot and ski, which led her to a degree in Biology from Colorado Mesa University. She then spent eight summers as a biologist backpacking the Sierra Nevada of California chasing amphibians, hooting for owls and snorkeling for trout. You can find Aneka slowly adapting to the moist Pacific Northwest by skiing, climbing and mountain biking, even in the rain.

		Shelby Slater Chef/Foodshed Manager Jeff Shelby Slater was born and raised in Anacortes, WA, and he started working in the restaurant business at age 15. He worked in three local restaurant while attending high school and college, then spent 19 years as chef -- then chief steward -- onboard a large commercial fishing boat in the Bering Sea. He enjoys camping, hiking, and fly fishing. He has a 13-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son.

		Julie Toomey Executive Assistant Julie has a degree in environmental conservation and has worked for several environmental organizations in western Washington. Julie and her family moved to Mount Vernon from Texas 23 years ago and are still grateful to live in such a beautiful place. In her spare time Julie enjoys traveling, hiking and camping, reading, gardening and yoga.

		Justin Wallace Group Program Coordinator Justin grew up in the Pacific Northwest and earned a degree in Recreation Management from Western Washington University. He worked for many years with non-profit organizations such as the YMCA and Outward Bound in six different states teaching and playing in the mountains and on the water. Ultimately, he realized that none of these places matched the wonder of the North Cascades, and now he spends his time finding creative ways to get groups of people up to the Learning Center and out into the mountains.

		Amy Wilcox Director of Marketing & Development Amy has a background in nonprofit event management, marketing and fundraising. Prior to coming to the Institute she worked in the arts at several Northwest non-profits. Raised in the Skagit Valley, she now lives on the banks of the Skagit River on Fir Island. She spends her spare time with friends and family, gardening, taking pictures, talking politics, cooking and exploring outside.

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Staff