Crystal Elliot-Perez

Washington State Director

Joined TU in 2013

Projects in Washington

• Priority Waters coordination

• Snoquera launch

• Upper Columbia fish passage and habitat restoration

• NCW Forest Health Collaborative

• Suction Dredge Mining Reform legislation (2020)

I started at TU as a project manager focused on abandoned mine restoration, which quickly illuminated the shortcomings with WA’s mining laws. The TU grassroots and I worked diligently for 7 years to pass suction dredge reform legislation, which cemented my passion for advocacy and helped me to realize the power our voices hold when we speak together about the issues we care about. From there, I was fortunate enough to advance through the TU ranks in WA to my current position as State Director, where I have the privilege of supporting our fantastic staff in the critical work that they do.

I am excited to advance our important efforts with communities, NGO’s, Native American tribes, government agencies, and other TU staff to find effective solutions to tough environmental challenges facing native fish populations and their habitat in the Evergreen State. My 20+ years of experience in conservation ranges from managing complex, multi-phased aquatic restoration projects to designing and leading ecological studies to spearheading stakeholder groups implementing watershed-scale projects. I’m passionate about exploring innovative tools and leveraging partnerships to scale-up collective efforts for habitat protection and restoration in an era that demands we think outside the box and embrace bold new ideas for conservation.

Working with TU’s grassroots is one of the best parts of my job. Over the course of my 10 years with TU, I have had the privilege of working closely with many of the WA TU Council members and chapter leaders on projects ranging from advocacy to restoration, and I am continually humbled and heartened by how freely and with what undaunted determination these volunteers donate their time to the noble cause of protecting and restoring our native fish.  

Alexei Calambokidis

Washington Conservation Manager

Joined TU in 2020

I advocate for Trout Unlimited's policy positions in the Washington State Legislature, and to Washington State agencies. Our State advocacy work helps to protect Washington's native cold-water fish populations through legal protections, better management, and by drive funding to critical recovery and habitat restoration work across Washington. 

David Kyle

Lake Washington Basin Program Manager

Joined TU in May of 2016

Projects in Washington

• Basin-wide Myxozoan Investigation

• Aquatic Weed Control to Save Salmon

• Lake Sammamish Kokanee Recovery

My program manages the USFWS Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership which has three main focuses:  Pursue projects, conduct research, and support supplementation to recover native kokanee salmon, ESA Chinook, and other salmonids. Coordinate, grow, and seek additional resources for our partner group to leverage our collective resources and maximize engagement of the Seattle metro communities to foster future conservationists and provide access to the outdoors to underserved communities.  Provide education and outreach to the community about the importance of conserving salmon and our watersheds to maintain and improve the quality of life we all enjoy.

I have been involved in fisheries work for over 20 years and my first experience working with TU as a partner was on the North Coast of California. I was impressed by the integrity and quality of the work TU did and when I moved to this area and TU flew my position I had to apply!  Love TU (:

Alli Pardis

North Central Washington Project Manager

Projects in Washington

• Irrigation Efficiency & Instream Flow Projects

Joined TU in March of 2022

I work on restoring streamflow to critical fish waters in North Central Washington. These projects often involve working collaboratively and creatively with irrigators and other water users to improve system efficiency so they can reduce water diversion, improve on farm practices, navigate water right changes and transactions, and develop drought resilient systems to benefit farms and fishes. Before joining TU I worked all over the West in fisheries management and water resources.   

Greg Fitz

West Coast Communications Director

At TU, my role is to help tell the story of our work to restore rivers; protect cold, clean water; and recover salmon, trout, steelhead, lamprey and other native fish. I work with TU’s programs, staff, partners, and grassroots chapters across Washington, Oregon, and California, including the team at Wild Steelheaders United. TU is doing inspiring work up and down West Coast waters and I want everyone to hear about it!

Luke Kelly

Washington Coast Restoration Program Manager

Member since 2005, Staff since 2016

Projects in Washington

• Owl Creek Restoration Project

• Wisen Creek Culvert Barriers

• Coldwater Connection Campaign/Westside Olympic Peninsula Fish Passage Project

I manage and steward salmon and steelhead habitat restoration projects on the WA Coast. I’ve been passionate about aquatic ecosystems since a kid growing up in Indiana and Colorado. I had a restoration company in CO, Freestone Aquatics (still in business today, led by my former business partner), before moving to WA. I worked for the Suquamish Tribe Fisheries Dept before coming to TU in 2016.

I enjoy most aquatic-based recreation, in being an avid angler, snorkeler, river rafter, etc. I was a Colorado fly fishing guide and guide outfitter owner for many years before my time in WA.

Erin Eaton

Yakima Basin Project Manager

Joined TU in January of 2019

Projects in Washington

• Tjossem Ditch Closure

• Manastash Creek Instream Flow Enhancement

My work includes projects that improve stream flow for fish as well as on farm irrigation efficiencies benefiting both farm and fish. I am also our local leading expert on culvert and passage issues, leading trainings for barrier assessment classes for TU volunteers, and providing passage assessment work for local and state agencies. 

I love working for TU as I feel I bring a unique perspective to the job, having local connections within the community as well as having a working ranch of our own, growing hay and raising cattle while actively working to restore fish habitat and passage. Outside of our 120 head of angus cows, we also have a hobby herd of 10 Texas Longhorns, I actively compete in Cutting Horse competitions, and I breed, raise and compete with our Labrador Retrievers.

Michael Dello Russo

Beaver/Dam Analog Habitat Coordinator

Joined TU in 2021

Projects in Washington

• Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project

• Beaver Relocation & Coexistence

• Beaver Dam Analog Projects in Chelan & Douglas Counties

I started working seasonally for the Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project in 2021 and was hired on full time in the fall of 2022. I am passionate about enhancing stream systems through beaver relocation and beaver dam analog construction. The Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project works to reduce human-beaver conflict and build beaver dam analogs in Chelan and Douglas Counties. Through beaver-powered restoration the project is conserving and preserving important riparian habitat.

I really cherish the opportunity to engage with the local community and to provide a necessary service that not only helps landowners but also keeps more beavers on the landscape.

Clifford Watson

TU Costa Youth Fly Fishing Programs Manager

Joined TU in 2024

In my role, I collaborate with the Headwaters Youth Program, focusing primarily on the TU Costa 5 Rivers program. This program is a nationwide network of conservation focused college fly fishing clubs. I work with each of these clubs to provide them the resources they need to bring the Trout Unlimited mission to life on their campus. I deeply enjoy this work and it is incredibly inspiring to witness the power of a generation of conservation focused anglers.

Theo Burgoon

Project Manager

Joined TU in 2018

Projects in Washington

• Icicle Creek Fish Passage Project

• Johnson Creek Fish Passage Improvements

• Lower Wenatchee Instream Flow Enhancement Phase II

My focus at TU is on developing and implementing fish passage and large-scale irrigation efficiency/instream flow enhancement projects. I came to TU with a background in construction QA/QC program development and management primarily related to large-scale infrastructure improvements ranging from mining and mine remediation to municipal water delivery.

I enjoy project management through all phases but am particularly interested in guiding projects through the design and implementation phases. At home I enjoy time with my wife and two kids, and a host of outdoor activities from mountain biking to gardening.

Justin Bezold

Project Manager

Joined TU in 2014

Projects in Washington

• Yakima Basin Water Market Strategy

• Swauk Creek Supplementation Design

My day-to-day work focuses on developing and implementing projects that improve streamflow conditions to improve survival of Yakima Basin coldwater fish species. I came to TU and the Yakima Basin, by way of Oregon-Idaho-Georgia, in 2014 after law school and a couple years as a fish biologist working on restoration projects in Idaho.

Working in the Yakima Basin gives me hope that major water issues can be resolved through collaboration.

Aaron Penvose

Project Manager

Joined TU in 2009

Projects in Washington

• Pioneer Irrigation Overhaul

• Boulder Field Passage Project

• Ninemile Creek Restoration

• Barkley Irrigation Project

• Low Tech, Process-Based Restoration Projects in Tucannon River and Asotin Creek

I manage projects and help other TU staff troubleshoot and the navigate complex issues required to get good restoration projects on the ground for Salmon Recovery. I started with Lisa Pelly at Washington Rivers in 2007, which merged with TU in 2009. I was working with Lisa Pelly to build a powerhouse restoration team in UC until 2019. In 2019, I moved to SEWA to build out the Lower Snake River Program in NE Oregon, SE Washington and Clearwater River in Idaho.

 I like most animals.

Alex Gustafson

Chehalis Restoration Project Manager

Joined TU in March of 2021

Projects in Washington

• Coal Creek Fish Passage Restoration

• Schafer Creek RM 8-9 Design and Restoration

• Camp Creek Fish Passage Restoration

• Richards Lost Creek Barrier Removal

My work is dedicated to funding and implementing projects that restore salmon and trout habitats by removing fish barriers and improving degraded streams. Healthy streams and waterways are a benefit to all aquatic species and also for all who recreate in those spaces. My role at TU is fun and dynamic mix of science, construction, policy and made better through building partnerships throughout the Chehalis Basin.

I am happiest being in or around any type of natural body of water, freshwater or saltwater. Be it surfing, swimming, wading or fishing, water is the best!

Gary Marston

Wild Steelhead Initiative Science Advisor

Joined TU in April of 2022

Projects In Washington

• Wild Steelhead Initiative

• TU Representative on the Columbia Basin Collaborative

I provide scientific support for the Wild Steelhead Initiative to ensure our advocacy is grounded in science, develop projects to support key data needs and work with fisheries managers and commissioners to ensure that policies and management actions are consistent with the latest science. I joined Trout Unlimited after 11 years with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where I focused on evaluating hatchery reform implementation, hatchery and wild interactions, fisheries contributions and conducted research on the dynamics that influence steelhead growth, survival, and life history diversity.

 I am an avid angler, am deeply passionate about native trout have developed and manage the website Native Trout Fly Fishing.

Alix Lee-Tigner

Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Coordinator

Joined TU in April of 2022

Projects in Washington

• Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership

As the coordinator for the Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (UWRP), my role is to work closely with our partner organizations to help connect the diverse communities of the Lake Sammamish and greater Seattle Metro area with nature and inspire them to care for our shared watershed. The work is incredibly fulfilling as we reach new audiences, address barriers for participating in programming, and take hands on action to steward our lands and waters.

Engaging with community members of all ages and backgrounds gives me an opportunity to experience nature in new and exciting ways, and to share my passion for the outdoors. I came to my position as a transplant to the Puget Sound region after years of working on the north Oregon coast in environmental education, habitat restoration, and volunteer management. It’s been an incredible experience learning alongside our community members about the Lake Sammamish Watershed, kokanee salmon, and the work Trout Unlimited is doing.

Jonathan Stumpf

WA Wild Steelhead Advocate for Wild Steelhead Initiative

Joined TU in March of 2020

Projects in Washington

• Policy and Advocacy for the Wild Steelhead Initiative

• Communications for Wild Steelheaders United

• WDFW Steelhead Management Collaboration

• Quicksilver Portfolio

• Washington Coast Management Plan

• Hydropower Reform Coaltion Collaboration

I lead much of our policy and advocacy work for the Wild Steelhead Initiative here in Western Washington. Additionally, I manage the communications for Wild Steelheaders United, which is the outfacing brand of the WSI. Much of my work is focused on working for better management of steelhead with the WDFW. This includes working closely on the development, funding, and implementation of Puget Sound’s Quicksilver Portfolio (for steelhead management) and our most recent work to develop and draft a new management plan for Washington’s coast. Additionally, I cover our hydropower work in WA, working closely with the Hydropower Reform Coalition.

I previously worked for American Rivers on hydropower reform and river protection actions on the federal level. Additionally, I served in a volunteer role as the board chair for local fisheries conservation group. Having worked closely with TU/WSU in my previous positions, this position looked to be a great fit (and it is!)

Beyond fishing for steelhead, I love to just observe them as well. Whether that’s spawning or the rare chance I get to snorkel with them.

Lisa Foster

Restoration Program Director

Joined TU in December of 2022

Projects in Washington

• Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project

• Beaver-Powered Restoration on Beaver Creek, Rock Island Creek, and Roaring Creek

• Beaver Relocations and Coexistence

Lisa manages low-tech stream restoration projects in Chelan and Douglas Counties, including the Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project, which works to reduce human-beaver conflict and rewild streams through beaver relocation and building beaver dam analogs. Through beaver-powered restoration, the project is conserving and preserving important ecosystems and habitat.

Lisa was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley where she developed a love of the outdoors at a young age. She started with the USFS in Chelan at the age of 18 while pursuing a degree in biology and economics. Over the course of her 18-year career, she has worked in the natural resource field in the public, private, and NGO sectors and has enjoyed everything from lichen research to grizzly bear surveys. She is most fulfilled when she can work to restore ecosystems, which led her to this role with Trout Unlimited.

Lisa is passionate about building community support for inclusive, innovative and integrated restoration approaches.

Elizabeth Mackey

NW Cascades Restoration Project Manager

Joined TU in 2016

Projects in Washington

• Snoquera Landscape Initiative

Elizabeth’s work is focused on restoring the 191,000-acre Snoquera Landscape in the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest, the last remaining stronghold for ESA-listed spring-run Chinook Salmon in South Puget Sound. Elizabeth has over 12 years of experience working as a fisheries biologist and restorationist across the West Coast region. To add to this expertise, she recently received an M.S. in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University focused on science communications, public outreach, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in the outdoors.