Staff

Bob Shavelson, Inletkeeper

Bob is a reformed attorney with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, and environmental sampling and compliance. He was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Oregon’s Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation, and has considerable experience in toxics, the Clean Water Act, and Right-to-Know issues. Prior to joining Inletkeeper in 1996, Bob worked in the United States Senate, Oregon’s Senate Majority Office, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium, and the University of Oregon’s Ocean & Coastal Law Center. Bob is a leader in the Alaska conservation community, and in 2010, he received the Alaska Conservation Foundation’s highest award for professional achievement. He holds a BA in Biology & Chemistry from Boston University and a JD from the University of Oregon.

bob@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x22

Cheryl Ostor, Finance & Office Manager

Cheryl joined Inletkeeper in 2011 with more than 25 years of business management, project management, software consulting and financial experience at both small and large organizations, such as Pillsbury/GreenGiant, J.D.Edwards/Oracle and Ecolab, Inc. She has directed and supervised large international operations. Cheryl also founded the ArrowheadUltra, a small, growing, non-profit event in International Falls, MN that receives attention from the worldwide press. She holds a B.A. degree in Bus.Admin/Economics and French, and she received her Masters Degree in 2004 in International Management and Information Systems at the University of Saint Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

cheryl@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x21

Dennis Gann, Coal Campaign Organizer

Dennis is a former commercial fisherman and tug vessel operator who worked escorting oil tankers through Prince William Sound. Prior to joining Inletkeeper in 2008, Dennis worked with the Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, the Cook Inlet Alliance and Cook Inletkeeper on various water quality and fisheries projects related to hard rock and coal mining. Dennis now leads Inletkeeper’s efforts to organize opposition to the Chuitna coal strip mine. He holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Missouri State University.

dennis@inletkeeper.org
907.929.9371

Dorothy Melambianakis, Community Outreach Assistant

Dorothy joined Cook Inletkeeper in 2012 and is primarily responsible for overseeing the current  Homer‐based Safe Drinking Water and Electronics Recycling projects as well as developing the foundation for an expanded presence for these two programs elsewhere in the Cook Inlet watershed. Prior to joining Inletkeeper, Dorothy served as Conservation Director of Kachemak Heritage Land Trust and has worked with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in various land management functions. Dorothy holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Technology, with an emphasis in Environmental Restoration and minors in Chemistry and Geographic Information Systems, from Colorado Mesa University. Additionally, she recently obtained a graduate certificate in Environmental Regulations and Permitting from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

dorothy@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x34

Michael Sharp, Strategic Communications Director

Michael brings over a decade of technology planning and implementation to Cook Inletkeeper. Prior to coming on staff in 2009, Michael worked with several non-profit and for-profit organizations to improve their use of, and approach to technology and its use in existing processes. Michael is well versed in current technologies, practices and standards including, user testing, data modeling, data delivery and web functionality. He leads Inletkeeper’s communications efforts, and plays a major role in statewide coal and renewable communications planning,  implementation and strategy.

msharp@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x23

Rachel Lord, Outreach & Monitoring Coordinator

Rachel trains citizens to monitor local waterbodies, oversees a new initiative to gauge bacteria levels on Homer’s public beaches, and helps local citizens identify well-water and related concerns. She is also spearheading Inletkeeper’s work on clean boating and clean harbors certifications. Prior to joining Inletkeeper, Rachel worked for the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Originally from Maine, Rachel moved to Alaska in 2005 to complete her MS degree at University of Alaska, Fairbanks in Wildlife Biology. She also holds a BA in Biology & Spanish from Mount Holyoke College, and worked as a field biologist before returning to school.

rachel@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x29

Sue Mauger, Science Director

Sue leads Inletkeeper’s efforts to elevate the importance of salmon stream protection in the face of rapid climate change. Sue joined Inletkeeper in Summer 2000, and has considerable experience in water chemistry, water quality monitoring, and macroinvertebrate assessment. Before joining Inletkeeper, Sue worked for the Xerces Society as Project Director for the Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring Program and for Earthwatch, as Project Coordinator in the Life Sciences Department of Field Operations. Sue holds a B.S. in Zoology from Duke University and an M.S. in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University.

sue@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x24

Susanna Sharp, Development Director

Susanna joined Cook Inletkeeper in 2010 to oversee the organization’s membership, grant writing and fund development efforts. Susanna has 10 years of experience working with a wide range of nonprofit organizations to streamline operations, develop programs and raise funding. She has written and edited professionally since 1998. Susanna holds a MA in Journalism from Syracuse University and a BS in Geography from the University of California.

susanna@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x27

Wayne Jenkins, Executive Director

Wayne comes to Cook Inletkeeper with a background in non-profit management, fundraising and conservation advocacy. His experience covers the gamut from organic farmer and consultant, to landscape designer and native plant nurseryman, and husband and father of two grown children. After witnessing the scale and impacts of clear-cut logging and development on his public lands, Wayne began volunteering with Georgia ForestWatch, a nonprofit devoted to the protection and restoration of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. He went on to serve as district leader, board member, treasurer, paid contractor and finally as executive director from 2004-2011. From their small organic farm in the Blue Ridge mountains, Wayne and his wife frequently visited their son in Alaska and soon fell under the spell of the wildness that remains here. Wayne is excited by the opportunity to assist Cook Inletkeeper in its work to protect fish habitat and vital water resources and feels very fortunate to find a new home in our great state.

wayne@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x30

Will Schlein, Information Technology Specialist

Will received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Rochester, where he gained expertise in Geographic Information Systems.  He has volunteered for several nonprofits and serves on the Board of Directors of Vessels of Hope.  Working to implement clean, renewable energy technology, Will is active in the Alternative Energy Group in Homer.  Will is the owner of the Homer Hostel.  Prior to moving to Alaska he worked renovating and recycling old buildings in California.

will@inletkeeper.org
907.235.4068 x28