Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings are open to the public
2023 dates include – Jan 26, Mar 23, May 25, July 27, Sep 28, and Nov 16
The meeting time is from 9:30 am to 12 pm in person at the Alder Street conference rooms and may be available by Zoom.
If you would like to attend, please contact us for more information.
Jack Williams – Chair
Dr. Jack Williams is the Emeritus Senior Scientist for Trout Unlimited, where he works on conserving coldwater fishes and their habitats. Jack has worked for the Endangered Species Program of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, served as BLM’s National Fisheries Program Manager and Science Advisor to the Director. He also was the Forest Supervisor on the Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests. His education includes a B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology from Arizona State University, a M.S. in Biology from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and a PhD in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University.
He is currently working on two books — one on southwestern fish conservation and another on trouts and chars of the world — when his springer spaniels and wife give him some free time. Jack lives in Oregon’s Upper Rogue River Valley.
Stan Dean – Vice Chair
Stan is a registered civil /environmental engineer specializing in many facets of the water environment. His Bachelor of Science was earned at Lafayette College, and his Master of Science was awarded at the University of California Davis. During his career, emphasis was placed on municipal wastewater treatment, municipal water supply, water resources, water quality, and environmental regulations. His last position, prior to retirement in 2013, was District Engineer for the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and Sacramento Area Sewer District.
Stan considers his second (unpaid) career to be promoting and facilitating conservation of natural resources and land stewardship. He is now serving as a board member for the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District and a commissioner for the Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He serves as chair of the Advocacy Committee for the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts and is a mentor for the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Service Land Steward Program. Stan likes to spend time taking care of the oak woodlands on his property and participating in a full array of outdoor activities.
Bob Hunter – Secretary
Bob is a retired attorney who lives on a vineyard near Eagle Point, Oregon. Bob was a partner in a Medford general business law practice for 20 years, and then worked as a senior staff attorney for WaterWatch of Oregon, a river conservation organization, for 12 years. He has over 35 years of board experience, serving on the boards of several non-profit entities over the years. He was a founding board member of WaterWatch and the Oregon Water Trust (now part of the Freshwater Trust). Bob has extensive knowledge of Oregon water law and co-drafted Oregon’s landmark Instream Water Rights Bill that passed in 1987. Bob also has extensive experience in fish passage barrier removal, playing a lead role in the removal of several Rogue Basin dams, including Savage Rapids Dam and Gold Ray Dam. He was also a dialogue participant in The Aspen Institute report: Dam Removal- A New Option For a New Century. He has received numerous local, state and national awards for his work in river conservation.
Bob received a B.S. degree in zoology and a J.D. degree in law from the University of Michigan. He is an avid fly-fisher, fly tier, birder, hiker, cross-country skier, and boater.
Bela
Toledo – Treasurer
Bela is a CPA Partner in a small firm in Grants Pass. He grew up in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast before moving inland to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene and Southern Oregon University in Ashland. He holds a BA in English and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting from SOU. It was in Eugene that Bela first became interested and active in watershed issues. In fact, he met his wife Julie in Eugene while they were both canvassing for a non-profit organization in 1991.
In his free time Bela enjoys running, golf, camping, hiking, and various volunteer activities including coaching Cross Country at Fleming Middle School in Grants Pass. He has two sons, one in high school and the other attending the University of Oregon.
Terry L. Ruiter
BS Fisheries Biology/Zoology Colorado State University
JD Law University of Denver College of Law
Ms. Ruiter has 35 years of experience in environmental consulting and 5 years of experience as a transportation planner for Denver Department of Public Works. Her experience has primarily involved the determination of regulatory compliance. She has worked on projects in transportation, water and energy supply, mineral development, and hazardous waste remediation. She has evaluated compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Clean Water Act (CWA); Clean Air Act (CAA); Endangered Species Act (ESA); Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); and Federal Facilities Compliance Act for a variety of clients. Her roles on projects ranged from program and project manager to compliance or technical specialist.
Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson came to the Rogue Valley in 1995 to take a position with the Harry and David company as a production manager in their pear and peach orchards. He previously worked in production agriculture in the Sacramento valley area.
Keith’s responsibilities led him to become involved with the challenges of water supply and use in the Rogue Valley as pertained to the irrigation water rights held and used on Harry and David properties. He was active on the Bear Creek Watershed Council and served twice as council chair. Keith was a member of the WISE committee from its inception and used the opportunity to work with the three Bear Creek valley irrigation districts to better understand storage and delivery challenges and suggest conservation measures for valley irrigators. Keith served for two terms as a board member for the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District from 2002 to 2010. After retiring from Harry and David in 2015 Keith offered his energies to the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and currently serves as a board member.
Keith and his wife Charlene live in the Talent area and are priviledged to share a portion of Anderson Creek as it flows through their property.
Ray Tharp
Ray was born in South San Francisco, California in 1937. He attended Whitman College, San Jose State, Coalinga College, Fresno State University and University of California at Berkeley in route to a BS degree in Business Administration from FSU in 1962.
Ray started post graduate work as a Field Process Accountant for Standard Oil and then became a Personnel Analyst trainee for the California State Personnel Board in Sacramento, California. Over the next 23 years, Ray worked in various human resources and labor relations activities, including negotiations as both an employee and employer representative and also as a neutral mediator, fact finder and arbitrator. The final portion of his career was spent as a California Deputy Labor Commissioner in Bakersfield, California. After retiring, he continued as a contract consultant on labor law with a large agricultural/multi-business firm based in southern California.
Ray moved to Central Point, Oregon in late 1996. He joined the Stream Restoration Alliance (SRA) in 2012 and became a Board member of SRA the following year. He served as Secretary to the SRA Board in 2014.
Bob Jones
Bob is a licensed geologist/certified engineering geologist that has worked in the water and watersheds arena for about 30 years, 24 of which he has been working at the Medford Water Commission to protect and improve water quality for both sources of supply. He holds two bachelor degrees in Geology and Interdisciplinary Geography/Geology from Southern Oregon University. He is a certified water rights examiner. He recently implemented the Forest Management Plan for the Commission’s 3500 acres of forest land to create a Healthy Forest which helps to provide high quality source water. He has provided proactive leadership and technical expertise in regional water issues/policies/direction and was instrumental in developing a partnership to improve water management on a regional level – The WISE Project (Water for Irrigation, Streams and Economy). He has been appointed to and served on numerous State Level Advisory committees to develop programs and rules to implement programs that manage and protect water resources specifically related to Drinking water. He has provided leadership, guidance and technical expertise to Natural Resource Conservation Non-profit organizations at the local, regional and national levels. He believes that the word BALANCE is the most important word when it comes to managing natural resources.
Bob’s favorite part of his job is mentoring college students and beginning professionals. He loves hiking and enjoying the outdoors and most of all – Football. He is a Navy veteran that served in Panama and Antarctica (winter-over 73-74).
Dave Grosjacques
Dave graduated from the University of Oregon in 1972 with a B.S. in Physics. He was a middle and high school teacher at Glendale for 30 years, where he started a watersheds and fish science class. He worked for the forest service for 13 years as a contractor doing stream surveys in the summer on the upper South Umpqua and several of its tributaries. He has also done habitat surveys for ODFW.
During his time with SRA, where he was a board member for 7 years, Dave helped with several in-stream habitat projects, including design and placement of log structures. He has helped organize the annual fish carcass toss for the SRA on Taylor Creek and helped get volunteers from his fly fishing club to do riparian planting for the last 8 years.
Dave is currently president of the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers in Grants Pass, on the board of the Umpqua Fisherman’s Association and the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers and a member of the Middle Rogue Steelheaders. He is married with three grown children and three grandchildren.
Peter Mazzini
Peter grew up in Northern California and graduated from Humboldt State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in watershed hydrology. In 1988, Peter moved to the Rogue Valley to a piece of land along the Rogue River, where he lives today. Peter has three adult sons and raised his family while working as a building contractor. In 2001, Peter joined the Upper Rogue Watershed Association as a board member and became the organization’s director in 2009. He served six years in this capacity.
Steve Day
Steve is a retired rancher, entrepreneur, and law enforcement professional living in Grants Pass. He began his ranching and professional life in the City of Bishop, in eastern California, where he became a contractor with the California Department of Fish and Game. He spent many years there working on environmental enhancement projects and studies related to fisheries and big game species. His professional career led him to become a grant writer and manager as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Lassen and Kern Community College Districts. He also served as the Critical Incident Commander for the City of Bishop and County of Inyo. Once retired from law enforcement, Steve spent several years working as a Federal Contractor traveling around California, instructing public employees of all types on basic and advanced responses to critical incidents.
As a rancher, irrigator, and lifelong fly fisherman, Steve is an advocate for exemplary stewardship. He is involved with the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers in Grants Pass, the Umpqua Valley Fly Fishers in Roseburg, and the Rogue Flyfishers in Medford, where he is currently a Senior Board Member and Past President. Steve frequently provides hosted trips to various locations throughout the state for those folks wanting to learn and enjoy more about fisheries, fly fishing, and the environment we share. He believes good stewardship begins with individuals. He is an avid fly fisher, fly tyer, rod builder, and artist.
Consuelo Montoya
Consuelo has twenty-five years of experience working with at-risk youth and second language-speaking students and their communities in San Jose, California. She has teamed with other educators to create and implement new curriculum and provide staff development and coaching. Consuelo has an English Language Development certificate from Stanford University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials, and a BA in Social Studies with a minor in Sociology from San Jose State University. Before becoming an educator, Consuelo worked as an academic advisor at De Anza College in Cupertino and as a graphic designer for Lange Medical Publications in Los Altos, California.
Consuelo grew up with a strong respect for the Colorado and Gunnison river systems. In Grand Junction, the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers was walking distance from her backyard. When her family moved to work on a small cattle ranch, she experienced the power of the Gunnison River system responsible for carving out the famous Unaweep Canyon, where on horseback, she herded cattle to the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau.
Now retired, Consuelo and her husband Brian are working to successfully conserve, restore and manage the habitat they share with the animals around them. Her work with the Talent Garden club, where she actively helps maintain the city’s seven pollinator gardens, has helped her better understand how protecting the little things, like our pollinators, helps to protect other plants and animals too.
Jolee Wallace
Jolee Wallace is a dedicated individual with a passion for agriculture and a commitment to education and community service. Growing up in a small farming community in Northern California instilled in her a love for the land and a strong work ethic.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Chico in 1989, Jolee completed her teaching credential and spent several years as an elementary school teacher. A vineyard along the beautiful Rogue River in Gold Hill eventually led her and her family to move to Oregon in 2000. Over the past 23 years, they have worked together to expand their farm and raise their three children.
Jolee’s dedication to her community is evident through her involvement in local organizations, including the Central Point School board and the Central Point Rotary. She has been a member of the school board since 2009, working to improve education in the area. She is a dedicated member of Rotary, which helps support local and international causes.
With her background in education, passion for agriculture, and dedication to community service, Jolee is honored to be a part of the Rogue River Watershed Council Board of Directors.
Craig Harper – Medfor
d Water Commission Liaison
As the Watershed Administrator for the Medford Water Commission, Craig Harper is responsible for protection of the sources of drinking water for Medford and surrounding communities, with a focus on collaboration and project implementation with effective partner
organizations like the Rogue River Watershed Council.
Craig grew up on the High Plains of southern Colorado, and moved to Oregon in 1986 to attend Oregon State. He has an MS in Geography/ Water Resources from OSU, and a BA from the University of Colorado. After working in Olympia and Portland for several years, Craig and his family moved to the Rogue Valley in 1999 where he worked as the Natural Resources Manager for the Rogue Valley Council of Governments and Conservation Manager with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy before moving on to the Water Commission.
Craig, his wife Theresa and dogs live in Ashland. They have one son, Logan, who lives in Portland. Craig loves the outdoors, and feels fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.
In Memoriam:
Phylis McIntosh
Phylis served on the RRWC Board from 2020-2021 and as the secretary of the board until she passed away in November of 2021. She was a retired U.S. Forest Service employee with an interest in plant science and an active Master Gardener who served on their board as a vice president. Her home was in Grants Pass.