WATCHABLE WILDLIFE - Key Persons


Bill Leavens

Job Titles:
  • Director
Bill is a Rogue Valley native and a graduate of Oregon State University. He has spent 35 years in the construction/aggregate industry and currently owns and manages several aggregate operations. He has served on numerous boards and stakeholder committees dealing mainly with natural resource issues. Bill enjoyed a close friendship with Bob and Phyllis Mace and clearly understands their vision for Watchable Wildlife.

Bob Hunter

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Member of the Watchable Wildlife Foundation Board
Bob received his Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1975 as well as a law degree in 1978 from the University of Michigan. He worked as a partner in a law firm until 1998 and then worked for a statewide river conservation organization until retirement in 2015. Bob is an avid birdwatcher and fisherman. He brings over 40 years of non-profit board experience to this position.

Bob Mace

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Director of the Oregon Department of Fish

Devon Finley

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Member of the Watchable Wildlife Foundation Board
Devon grew up in the National Park Service, making a lifelong connection to the outdoors and wildlife. She worked for the Turner Foundation in the fields of environmental health, water and air quality, and youth development before meeting the passionate people behind the Mace Watchable Wildlife Fund while at the Oregon Community Foundation. She continues to work in education and wholeheartedly supports the mission of the Watchable Wildlife Foundation.

Linda Marr

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Member of the Watchable Wildlife Foundation Board
Linda Marr, daughter of Bob and Phyllis Mace, spent many happy hours as a child in the outdoors. She shares her father's belief in the value of providing opportunities to enjoy and study wildlife and, since retiring as an educator and science editor, has worked on promoting his vision.

Steve Niemela

Job Titles:
  • Director
Steve received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University in 1997 and his Master's Degree from New Mexico State University in 2001. He has been working as a wildlife biologist in southern Oregon for ODFW since 2004 and is currently the Rogue Watershed District Wildlife Biologist. Steve spends his free time hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing with his family.