PRUNUSKE CHATHAM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Restoration Project Leader
Brian Bartell Joined PCI at the start of 2023 as a Restoration Project Leader. Brian is a California Licensed Landscape Architect who started his restoration career in the Mid-Atlantic region in the late 1990's. In 2012 he and his family migrated to California and quickly put down roots in the North Bay. Brian's experience includes restoring creeks of all sizes, floodplains, seasonal wetlands, vernal pools, riparian areas, oak woodlands and special status species habitat, but his passion lies in restoring all manner of habitats for steelhead, salmon and trout. When he's not working, he can usually be found on a bike or a pair of skis, with a fishing rod in his hands, fixing something around the house, or dragging his wife and kids on an "adventure."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Environmental Planner
- Senior Environmental Planner and Project Manager
Carrie Lukacic is a senior environmental planner and project manager. Her work focuses on CEQA/NEPA compliance and environmental permitting for a wide range of land management projects including both large- and small-scale infrastructure projects, watershed restoration projects, and fish passage projects. She specializes in the evaluation of environmental impacts in sensitive resource areas and is known for working with project designers, engineers, and resource agency staff to develop creative solutions to avoid impacts, where possible.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Ecologist
Celia Chatham is an ecologist who has spent her career working in a range of habitats including the Sonoran desert, estuaries along the Gulf of California, Sierra coniferous forests, and Sonoma County oak woodlands, grasslands and riparian corridors. Her work at PCI includes plant monitoring at wildland habitat restoration sites, vegetation mapping, wetland delineation, nesting bird surveys, construction monitoring and assistance with aquatic species rescue and biological assessments. Celia brings an open and inquisitive mindset to her work; she is always excited to explore and discover landscapes to protect, enhance and restore.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Hydrologist
Christopher Woltemade, PhD integrates hydrology, geomorphology, and spatial analysis in innovative ways that support watershed enhancement designs to benefit ecological systems and human needs. He has over 25 years of experience with stream and wetland restoration design, geomorphic assessment, flood risk reduction, water quality management, salmonid recovery, drought planning, public water supply, and storm water management. Christopher embraces a "one water" approach to comprehensive watershed management from headwaters to estuary. He thrives on data-driven scientific approaches to complex, multi-disciplinary problems that deliver innovative win-win solutions to clients and the broader public.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Ecologist
Claire Pavelka joined the PCI team in 2021 after working on large-scale restoration in the San Joaquin Valley of California. She recently graduated from Santa Clara University with a double major in Ecology and Environmental Science. Her work at PCI includes a combination of field work, natural resource assessment and project planning for regional and state partners. When out of the office, you can often catch Claire on a hike, run, or walk with her dog Blue.
Cody Reis has worked on restoration and conservation projects for PCI since 1999. He has progressed from an unskilled laborer to foreman. He has been involved in a wide variety of restoration implementation projects including: fish passage, stream channel and off channel habitat creation, bioengineered bank repairs, natural swim ponds, floodplain enhancement, native revegetation, small and large-scale rainwater harvesting projects, complex irrigation systems, landscape installation, and erosion control. He is an experienced equipment operator and sawyer. He has also served as the designated biological monitor and assisted PCI's biologists with capture and relocation of threatened and endangered species on many projects.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Foreman & Equipment Operator
Cody Reis has worked on restoration and conservation projects for PCI since 1999. He has progressed from an unskilled laborer to foreman. He has been involved in a wide variety of restoration implementation projects including: fish passage, stream channel and off channel habitat creation, bioengineered bank repairs, natural swim ponds, floodplain enhancement, native revegetation, small and large-scale rainwater harvesting projects, complex irrigation systems, landscape installation, and erosion control. He is an experienced equipment operator and sawyer. He has also served as the designated biological monitor and assisted PCI's biologists with capture and relocation of threatened and endangered species on many projects.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Landscape Architect
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
Diana is an assistant landscape architect on the design team at PCI. Certified in permaculture design, she has a background in and passion for regenerative systems design. With a focus on extensive site analysis, native plant knowledge, an understanding of a site's ecological systems, and sensitivity to a sense of place, Diana creates holistic and beautiful designs that balance the permaculture concepts of "earth care," "people care," and "fair share." She is involved with projects from the conceptual design phase to the construction document and build phase and enjoys exploring and learning from the sites, rendering designs, and creating planting plans. In her free time you can find her teaching and practicing yoga, rock climbing, hiking, and traveling.
Ellen Cox is an assistant engineer who joined the PCI team in 2021. She graduated from Oregon State University where she majored in Civil Engineering and Sustainability. This allowed her to combine her interests in engineering with her passion for the natural environment. Her work at PCI includes building hydraulic models for rivers and watersheds, drafting, and design. Ellen spends her free time cycling, hiking, and camping.
Emily is a Landscape Designer on the design team at PCI. Working in the landscape design profession since 2004, Emily brings a wealth of well-rounded professional experience in housing, campus planning, water catchment and residential projects. In addition to landscape architecture, her multi-faceted background in art history, permaculture design and dance bring a unique perspective to her work, balancing the kinetic, aesthetic and ecological value of every project. Her prior work with a design/build company strengthened her knowledge of construction and her love of native plants. Outside of work, you can find her hiking, kayaking and spending time with her family.
Erynn Rebol has 10 years of experience in biological research. Her work has included assisting with, designing, and leading field research and working on habitat restoration projects. She has experience in settings ranging from California to the Arctic to the Amazon with numerous organisms including venomous snakes, small mammals, birds, and plants. Erynn brings a broad biological perspective to the science team at PCI where she assists with natural resource assessment, monitoring, and planning and implementation of habitat restoration projects. She is committed to protecting wildlife, land, and ecological processes so people can responsibly enjoy them for generations to come. On her off days, Erynn enjoys reading, creating, or exploring the outdoors with her rescued greyhound.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Field Technician at PCI
- Restoration Field Technician & Equipment Operator
Ethan Loudon is a Restoration Field Technician at PCI. As a lifelong resident of Sonoma County and whose father, Doug Loudon, was a valued member of PCI for over 30 years, he has gained a deep appreciation for the natural landscape and a desire to preserve the earth for all species in generations to come. Ethan gained his first opportunity to work for PCI in 2005 during his summers in high school, and quickly decided to work seasonally for PCI while pursuing his educational journey at his own pace. Over the years, Ethan has developed into a knowledgeable and skilled environmental construction laborer, equipment operator, and an indispensable member of the PCI construction and safety teams. He loves that each project PCI completes is a step toward healing the land. In his off time, his current favorite activities include disc golf, board games, and spending time with his family.
Fiona Connor, EIT, joined PCI in 2023 as an Assistant Engineer. She recently completed her Master of Science degree in Environmental Systems: Environmental Resources Engineering at Cal Poly Humboldt. During graduate school, she was a student researcher at the Arcata Marsh Research Institute, where she performed regular water quality analyses and pond/wetland surveying and led algal growth pilot projects. Her interdisciplinary thesis focused on quantifying the effectiveness of microplastic removal in natural treatment systems and the impact that microplastics have on sedimentary bacteria and associated nitrogen cycling. She is excited to continue developing her problem-solving and ecological skills at PCI.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Senior Accountant
Gina Reid joined PCI in 2015. She brings 10 years of accounting experience, along with human resource knowledge, to her work. Gina processes payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and works with project managers for monthly billing, along with a variety of other accounting responsibilities. Outside of the accounting world, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, hiking, and camping.
Registered Professional Forester, Certified Professional Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist, has been working with PCI since 1988. His projects include design and oversight of wetland and riparian revegetation projects as well as erosion control projects, and the development of forestland stewardship plans.
Job Titles:
- Civil Engineer
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Civil Engineer and a Member
Jasper Rice-Herdt is a civil engineer and a member of the design team. A Sonoma County native, Jasper joined PCI in 2005 after a high school internship. During his education and training as an engineer, he has worked as a journeyman construction worker and foreman, gaining practical experience and understanding of restoration projects. Jasper's work includes surveying, construction cost estimates, construction planning and supervision, hydraulic modeling, engineering analysis, drafting and design. He has a passion for the outdoors and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Principal Ecologist
- Vegetation Ecologist
Joan Schwan, M.S., Principal Ecologist, has worked on native plant research and restoration, and natural resource planning, since 1992. Her current work at PCI focuses on natural resource assessment and planning for parks and preserves around the North Bay, and on planning and implementation of habitat restoration projects throughout California. Joan also leads the science group at PCI. Whether by addressing climate change in park planning, identifying the underlying processes that maintain biodiversity in a preserve, or by carefully considering the impacts of restoration methods, Joan aims to bring a broad ecological perspective to her work.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- PCI As a Restoration Field Technician
- Restoration Field Technician
John Fessler joined PCI as a Restoration Field Technician in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from UC Berkeley. John grew up working on his family's ranch and participating in 4H, and has logged many hours as a construction worker. His resume includes work as a fisheries technician for Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission and as a field assistant for the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. John excels at fuel load reduction, equipment operation, and creative problem-solving. Applying his skills to PCI's on-the-ground restoration work is a natural evolution in his ecological career.
John Hardy is a Senior Hydrologist with PCI specializing in coastal and fluvial hydrology. He is experienced in data acquisition and has led multiple geomorphic, water quality, and biological monitoring projects. John has a background in riverine ecology and has provided field assistance in salmonid life-cycle monitoring and anadromous fisheries management studies. For his master's thesis, he assessed the significance of physical habitat characteristics in describing macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in a small coastal stream to better understand the potential for riparian management to enhance lotic ecosystem function. In his spare time, John enjoys surfing, fishing, and camping.
Job Titles:
- Foreman
- Landscape Architect
Justin Bodell, L.A., QSD/P, has worked in the environmental restoration field since 1998, when volunteering for AmeriCorps brought him to California from his home state of Pennsylvania. His experience is in designing and managing natural resource conservation projects such as in-stream salmonid habitat enhancement, erosion control, stormwater management, rainwater catchment, water conservation, biotechnical stream stabilization, wetland and riparian enhancement, streamflow enhancement, and native species revegetation. From his time working at the Sonoma Resource Conservation District and American Farmland Trust, Justin gained experience in conservation easement development, landowner and partner outreach, partnership development, community group and advisory committee presentations, and writing and managing grants for projects such as streamflow enhancement, fish habitat, rainwater catchment, and fire recovery.
Job Titles:
- Civil Engineer
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
Karen is a civil engineer on the design team, starting with PCI in 2021. She comes to us via the drinking water world with 5 years of experience, both on the regulatory side and the consulting engineering design side. She is excited to bring her passion for protecting and restoring the environment to her daily work at PCI. When not doing engineering, you can find her hiking, biking, camping, backpacking…basically anything outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Project Administrator
Laurel Stewart joined PCI's accounting department in 2008 and now works as a project administrator. She enjoys a wide variety of work responsibilities, including accounting and administrative support for project managers, editing, report production, labor law compliance, organizational projects, and general administration. She writes and studies art in her spare time.
Lauren Hammack specializes in stream restoration science and design - overseeing projects from initial envisioning all the way through implementation. During her 20-year career she has focused on applying her knowledge of geomorphology, ecology, hydrology, and hydraulics to develop geomorphically sound and effective restoration projects that respect complex stakeholder needs. Lauren blends technical skills and strong critical thinking with a solution-oriented attitude and interest in collaboration. Since joining PCI in 2003, her projects have ranged from watershed assessments and management plans to flood reduction feasibility studies to salmonid habitat enhancement design.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
Lisa helps keep all aspects of PCI up and running, assisting the CEO and Financial Controller with various needs. She's been a longtime Sonoma County resident who loves everything our county has to offer from hiking the beautiful trails to tasting the amazing wine and food created here. Her free time is spent with precious family, friends and her pup, Cleo.
Liza Prunuske has focused her career on the interface between the natural world and people's daily lives. From her early projects on urban streams, to many years spent on salmonid habitat restoration with ranchers and farmers, to community-based watershed planning, she is committed to finding ways for people to sustain both their livelihoods and their local ecosystems. An experienced facilitator, Liza has led numerous technical advisory committees as well as planned and facilitated public meetings for watershed programs throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Job Titles:
- Civil Engineer
- Construction Foreman
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
Luke Walton is a civil engineer and construction foreman and has played a key role in a wide range of PCI projects since 2007. Born and raised in the remote hills of Western Sonoma County, he has gained an extensive familiarity with the area's local streams and surrounding landscape. He provides field data collection, surveying, engineering analyses, 1D & 2D hydraulic modeling, drafting, estimating and design. His practical knowledge stems from experience as a construction foreman and heavy equipment operator for various PCI projects. He has taken part in the design and construction of stream restoration, bank stabilization, erosion control, dewatering, biotechnical repair, habitat enhancement and fish passage projects.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Field Technician
- Restoration Field Technician
Macario is an experienced restoration field technician who has worked at PCI for over 20 years on many erosion control, revegetation and irrigation installation projects throughout Northern California. His project involvement also includes plant establishment and maintenance. In addition, he is excellent with wood working, welding and steel fabrication tasks.
Maggie Jensen's work focuses on designs that include human interaction with restored native landscapes. A licensed landscape architect, she has experience in design, preparation of construction documents, renderings and construction oversight. Her projects include rainwater catchment, parks, insectaries, natural winery landscapes, stream channels and ponds. Many of her projects incorporate environmental education elements and her area of expertise includes native plant palettes.
Mike Jensen, L.A., has been designing, supervising, and building highly successful habitat enhancement projects in northern California since 1994. He has managed, designed and constructed or collaborated on over 100 watershed enhancement projects including: natural channel reconstruction; fish passage, dam removal and off-channel habitats for salmonids; biotechnical streambank stabilization; riparian and floodplain restoration; wetland mitigation; ranch and vineyard conservation; and natural habitat ponds and landscapes. Mike's passion is construction and he tries to spend time every summer as one of PCI's lead foreman or equipment operators. Mike is also the responsible managing officer for PCI's general contractor's license. When not at work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, hunting and surfing.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Field Technician
- Restoration Field Technician
Myc Giacomelli, "Giaco," is a Restoration Field Technician who joined PCI in 2022. Giaco holds three AA degrees from Santa Rosa Junior College (Natural Resource Management, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Digital Media) and has a natural talent for native plant ID, erosion control and trail building. Their diverse skill set, strong work ethic and positive "can-do" attitude shines both on and off the field. Besides erosion control, revegetation, invasive plant management and fuel load reduction, they played a key role in introducing PCI's new environmental health and safety app. Giaco also recently completed the ANSI-accredited Rainwater Catchment Systems Designer course.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Restoration Field Technician & Crew Leader
Rachel Dovey is a Restoration Field Technician and Crew Leader who joined PCI in 2021. Her dual background in journalism and regenerative agriculture has included work for the Sierra Club, KQED, the American Society of Landscape Architects, Alchemist Farm and the Warnecky Ranch, among others. A Sonoma County native, she enjoys understanding complex systems - whether they be state regulations or the snacking habits of voles - and appreciates the fact that PCI's design/build structure means she can get dirt under her fingernails. When not at work she can be found making wooden spoons, tending to her rabbits and hanging out with her wild children.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Construction Group Manager
- Construction Manager and Lead Safety and Compliance Officer
Rick Kaye joined PCI in July 2021 as the Construction Manager and lead Safety and Compliance Officer. Rick brings twenty-five years of local experience with ecological restoration, administration, and organic farm management. He has seasoned field skills leading and participating with crews to implement revegetation, erosion control, and ecological restoration projects in North Coast watersheds and the tropics. Rick will continue the practical yet holistic approach to on-the-ground restoration efforts that marks PCI excellence, continuing the signature work of Doug Loudon, who successfully built and operated the PCI Construction Program over three decades of service.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Restoration Field Technician & Equipment Operator
Roberto has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Hired in 2001, he has worked on most of PCI's construction and installation projects as a field technician and heavy equipment operator. As lead technician on many of our native plant revegetation projects, he performs installation and plant establishment maintenance until plants can survive on their own. Roberto also works as a lead field technician on the mowing and seasonal fire abatement project for Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. He is proficient in erosion control, revegetation and irrigation system installations.
Job Titles:
- Construction Staff Member
- Restoration Field Technician and Crew Leader
Rudy is a Restoration Field Technician and Crew Leader at PCI, working on erosion control, revegetation and irrigation installation projects throughout Northern California. He holds an associate of science degree in natural resources from the Santa Rosa Junior College, and is also an Army veteran. He has a passion for wildlife conservation and spending time outdoors. He's a lifelong resident of Sonoma County and appreciates all the amazing food and drink grown and created here. In his free time, you can find Rudy enjoying the company of his family, bowling and hiking the gorgeous hills of Sonoma County.
Job Titles:
- Senior Environmental Planner
Samantha Thomas joined the PCI team in 2023 as a Senior Environmental Planner. Having started her planning career in Sonoma County, Samantha brings almost a decade of local and regional planning experience throughout Northern California within the non-profit, private, and public sectors. Her experience includes CEQA/NEPA compliance, environmental permitting, community planning, and public policy. She is known for working on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects - alongside engineers, geologists, biologists, architects, local tribes, city and county planning staff, and resource agency staff in order to find the best solution to the problem at hand in a manner that takes into account social and ecological impacts. When she doesn't have her head buried in a planning document, you can usually find Samantha lifting weights in her home gym, walking/hiking with her two huskies (preferably on "cooler days"), and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting and Administrative Staff
- Founding Principal
Steven Chatham brings over 30 years of experience in taking projects from a conversation all the way through to healthy, on-the-ground habitat. In recent years, his work has ranged from leading restoration of a 40-acre quarry in the Sierra foothills to on-site supervision of redwood log placement in Napa Creek to providing principal level leadership on many of PCI's design and environmental compliance projects. He is adept at resolving complex permitting and constructability issues and practiced at organizing effective teams.