As the Executive Director and Riverkeeper, she ensures Coosa Riverkeeper has the resources needed to fight for swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water. Justinn patrols the watershed, investigates pollution, and speaks on behalf of the river. She also coordinates many other aspects of our organization such as membership, capacity building, special events, and outreach. She provides direction to our staff, volunteers, and robust internship programs with local universities.
In 2015, Justinn was one of four women highlighted by Southern Living as “Women of Worth,” a short list of women who are dedicated to improving the lives of Southerners in need. In 2017, Justinn was featured in the Voices for Clean Air campaign highlighting her love of water, yoga, and environmental justice. Click here to watch the short documentary.
Before joining the staff of Coosa Riverkeeper, she worked with the Alabama Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council implementing the Building Green Jobs for Alabama program, a statewide federally funded workforce development grant. During her time at USGBC Alabama, she trained 300+ Alabamians about green building principles and sustainability.
Justinn graduated magna cum laude from the New College program at the University of Alabama with a degree in Environmental Advocacy. There she earned the Dean Bernie Sloan Spirit of New College Award for her campus-wide grassroots organizing efforts to her “Greener Way for UA” campaign. She holds a Master’s Certificate in Non-Profit Management from University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Justinn is happiest when she’s outside– swimming, canoeing, hiking, practicing yoga, or camping– with her husband, Spence, and their dog Stella Blue.
Outreach Manager
Abby Brown
Abby knew from a young age that she loved the outdoors and was fascinated with creating a better world. As a Girl Scout, she was always running around outside, camping, and white water rafting. Her love for water comes from most of her time being spent in a pool, from 6 years old summer league to swimming competitively at Birmingham-Southern College to being a part time swim lessons instructor. As an Atlanta native, she spent all 4 years at Birmingham-Southern constantly driving over the Coosa River on her way home (and it was obviously her favorite part of the drive!). She has always been passionate about conservation and as a part of her classwork at Birmingham-Southern College interned for Coosa Riverkeeper in 2019, fueling her love for conservation. During her time at BSC, she worked as the Vice-President of Community Service for her sorority for three years, where she was in charge of event planning, fundraising, and community outreach. She won the most prestigious award offered in her chapter for her impact on the chapter and the community.
Abby graduated cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College in May of 2020 with a dual degree in Urban Environmental Studies and Biology, and has completed the Tomorrow’s Leader’s College Program, where she learned more about leadership, advocacy, and fundraising. She has served as Coosa Riverkeeper’s Development Coordinator for the past year and is ecstatic about continuing her career in conservation biology and non-profit management as our Outreach Manager! She is so excited to continue advocating for the Coosa and keep our waterways clean!
Abby loves spending her free time outside with her husband, Jarrod, traveling, obsessing over plants, and snuggling with her 3 kitties – Boo, Nala, and Bongo.
Swim Guide Coordinator
Jake Lasseter
Jake grew up in Gadsden exploring the creeks and woods around Neely Henry Lake. He is a graduate from Jacksonville State University and majored in Biology with a concentration on ecology/environmental biology. In 2020, he served as the North Route Field Technician for our water quality monitoring program, Swim Guide. He monitored 10 sites for 16 weeks at creeks, outfitters, and boat ramps surrounding Neely Henry Lake.
As the Swim Guide Coordinator, he focuses on issues pertaining to water quality in the Coosa River watershed. He supports our Staff Riverkeeper with following up with citizen complaints, reviewing polluter’s self-reported data, and researching emerging issues facing the Coosa. He coordinates the popular Coosa River Swim Guide program and is responsible for the organization’s data collection, laboratory protocol, and managing interns. He supports the rest of the team at events, writing blog posts, and working hard to combine his love for science and the outdoors to the public. Ultimately, Jake is happiest when he is drinking craft beer, rock climbing, hiking, camping, or on the water.
Program Director
Chad Hoffman
Chad spent his childhood playing in the woods of Pine Mountain, Ga., not far from Callaway Gardens. Through various experiences as he got older he learned firsthand the challenges that major waterways face, along their skinny water. The middle section of the Chattahoochee River is where he learned to whitewater kayak, and where his passion for fly fishing and conservation evolved.
While pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at Auburn University he spent time working in a paleo limnology lab. He also served as a facilitator at the Auburn University Challenge Course, as well as the Field Coordinator for the Chattahoochee River Conservancy. He also spent a summer in Central Montana, interning for the Friends of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. After graduating in 2018, he moved to Birmingham in 2019 where he worked as an Environmental Specialist at an environmental engineering firm. During this time he became a volunteer with Coosa Riverkeeper and became committed to conserving our river and helping our organization.
As Program Director, he ensures that our Swim Guide and Fish Guide programs are operating smoothly and successfully to protect, restore, and promote the Coosa. He collaborates with our Riverkeeper to manage the lab and investigate pollution. Chad oversees our field technicians, data collection and analyzation, as well as manages our AmeriCorps members.
Chad is happiest spending time with his friends and family. He loves wading a skinny water stream with a fly rod in his hand and his camera ready to capture special moments on the water.
Office Dog
Stella Blue
Stella Blue has been a member of the Coosa Riverkeeper team since 2017. She provides crucial support to all of our staff members throughout the day, providing emotional support when polluters get us down and requiring a number of belly rubs from everyone in the office. She enjoys getting her paws dirty and boat rides with our Staff Riverkeeper. She also serves as part-time security and welcome committee to our office.
Stella is happiest when she is with her family, running around and sniffin’, chasing deer, or joy riding in boats.
Grants Coordinator
Yulan Havlicek
Long enamored by the concept of a Renaissance man, or Junzi. It seemed only natural that Yulan would fashion his character to match those ideals. Maintaining interests in Calligraphy, Motorcycles, Photography, Gunsmithing, and Martial Arts. He also brews his own rice wine.
As a youth he participated in the Boy Scouts. Spending most of his weekends camping, learning environmental stewardship, and experiencing the outdoors. He still enjoys cycling, and hiking, and tries to photograph wildlife at every occasion. He’ll also jump on any opportunity to go canoeing, or rock climbing. Always game for the next adventure.
Taking this penchant for travel from his Mom. He’s explored Europe, Israel, Palestine, China, Thailand and a majority of North America. Experiences which have greatly shaped his worldview. Most notably the impoverished conditions he saw in Thailand. After which he swore to himself, that he’d use all of the benefits he has as an American to aid in their plight.
He hopes to soon serve the Peace Corp in South East Asia. While also pursuing grant writing opportunities to support stateside NGOs, to protect our health, and habitat. With the future aim to gain a masters degree in environmental engineering.
Field Coordinator
Lucas Allison
Lucas Allison has enjoyed Alabama’s incredible biodiversity since he was a kid. Born and raised in Alabama, his interest and joy for the outdoors started young. Going hiking, kayaking, camping, flipping over old logs to look for bugs and staying at his families small lake house were all mainstays of his childhood that helped create a long lasting foundation based on love and a passion for our natural world. This early passion for our world has influenced many of his interests and hobbies today; he is a regular camper, hiker, climber, and mountain biker. It has also influenced his love for the aquatic world as he has multiple fish tanks all designed after natural river scapes with live plants included.
Lucas graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health. As our Field Coordinator, Lucas handles our field investigations for citizen complaints, manages our clean-up volunteers, and collects water quality samples to support our Riverkeeper Patrol program.
Field Education Coordinator
David Jones
I am David Jones, most recently graduated from Talladega College with my Bachelors of Art and Science in Biology. During my time as an Undergraduate student, I worked hand and hand on a service learning project with the Coosa Riverkeeper team in the first Ecology course at Talladega College. Throughout the service project I analyzed, researched, and set apart chemical releasing data. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, tennis, and listening to music.
Board of Directors
President
Chuck Graham
Outreach Committee Chair
Kristin Trowbridge-Alford
Treasurer
Hays Latimer
At-Large Board Member
Cecil Bostany
At-Large Board Member
Lawrence Lockhart Myatt
Governance Committee Chair
Doug Morrison
At-Large Board Member
Beau Beard, D.C.
Secretary
A.J. Mercer
Vice President
Carrie Machen
At-Large Board Member
Carson Dabbs
Legal & Advocacy Committee Chair
Chris DiGiorgio, J.D.
At-Large Board Member
Kathleen Kirkpatrick
At-Large Board Member
Josh Tidwell
Rotaract Fellow
Thomas Yerby
Avid Outdoorsman & Activist
Dion Grimes
President
Chuck Graham
Chuck is Client Executive for the Global Sales Division of Ricoh Business Solutions and has spent 20 years in the technology industry. Growing up near Cheaha Mountain he developed a love for the outdoors at a young age.
As an avid competitive bass fisherman Chuck has spent countless hours fishing the waters of the Coosa River. A majority of those hours have been spent on Lay Lake which has resulted in a special attachment to that portion of the river. During his time on the water he has witnessed first hand the need for the care and protection of this valuable resource. Chuck loves Alabama football, good music and spending time with his wife, Susan and their two kids, Lyla and Caleb.
Outreach Committee Chair
Kristin Trowbridge-Alford
Kristin lives in Birmingham, Ala., as an entrepreneur, activist, homemaker and volunteer. She is a sales consultant for the skin care and cosmetic line, Beauty Counter, Kristin has the opportunity to not only place safe products into our homes, but to help further the company’s mission to push for more regulation and higher standards in the beauty industry.
When she’s not busy in the city, Kristin loves to spend time with her husband, Josh Alford, their four children and two dogs at her family’s cabin on Lake Mitchell, where in her childhood she lived as a full-time resident. A former state slalom ski champion and national competitor, Kristin’s love for the lake and the community there permeates her bones. As an adult, she returns to the Coosa with a newfound appreciation for its origins, its beauty and a passion to preserve what remains for her children and future generations.
Treasurer
Hays Latimer
Hays Latimer is a Certified Financial Planner at Pearson and Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of OneAscent Financial Services, where he helps families and organizations become better stewards of their financial resources. He and his wife Meredith live in Cahaba Heights with their daughter Margaret Anne. He is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Birmingham, where he serves on the Vestry and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Hays is an avid river and creek fisherman, and regularly participates in the Coosa Canoe & Kayak Fishing Tournament events. He is passionate about protecting the Coosa River and its tributaries in order to preserve them for current and future generations.
At-Large Board Member
Cecil Bostany
Cecil Bostany is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the firm of Warren Averett, LLC in its Birmingham office. He has a house on Lake Logan Martin. He is a current Board member and past Chairman of the Board of Birmingham Metro YMCAs in 2001 and 2002, an Executive Committee Board member of both BioAlabama and TechBirmingham and a Board member of the Birmingham International Center and Innovation Depot, the business incubator in Birmingham. Cecil is also a member (since 1986) and former President of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley in Birmingham.
At-Large Board Member
Lawrence Lockhart Myatt
Lawrence considers himself “a jack of all trades and a master of none.” As a graduate of South Carolina State University, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education. His favorite activity since childhood has been exploring the outdoors with the sun on his face.
He has been married 21 years to his wife, Jacqueline, and together they have a beautiful son, Joshua. His hobbies include art of any kind, wood working, nature photography, and agroforestry. His passion in this life is to assist other in any way possible to achieve a beautiful life. Lawrence has volunteered with Coosa Riverkeeper for years and been instrumental in the planning and execution in many of our fundraising events— plus he’s an amazing gluten-free baker!
Governance Committee Chair
Doug Morrison
Doug is a Senior Systems Analyst at Integrated Benefits Solutions since 1995. Doug and his wife, Joannie, live on Big Canoe Creek in Springville. He likes to hunt, fish, paddle, camp and hike, basically almost anything outdoors. He currently serves on the Springville Planning & Zoning Commission. He was also one of the original Board members of Coosa Riverkeeper, and served a few years as President.
After a year off he has returned to serve on the Board.
Living on Big Canoe Creek has taught him the importance of a clean watershed, seeing firsthand the incredible living creatures that exist within the ecosystem of a watershed. He was the recipient of the River Hero award from the Alabama River’s Alliance in 2015. Working with the Coosa Riverkeeper, The Friends of Big Canoe Creek, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy to remove the Goodwin Mills Dam on Big Canoe Creek in 2013, has been one of the most treasured conservation events he has been involved in. Doug wants to do his part to preserve our beautiful waters and educate others of the need to protect this valuable resource in the process.
At-Large Board Member
Beau Beard, D.C.
Beau is a sports chiropractor, human performance specialist and health conservationist that owns and operates The FARM: Functional Athletic Rehabilitation & Movement with his wife Dr. Sloan Beard, where they work with athletes ranging from little league to the Olympics.
When not in the clinic Dr. Beard allocates his time to local and national conservation efforts, hunting, fishing and trail running.
Secretary
A.J. Mercer
A.J. is a Certified Public Accountant at the Birmingham, AL office of RSM US LLP, where he works in their audit practice specializing in real estate investment funds. He is a Birmingham native and is a resident of Cahaba Heights.
As an avid fisherman, A.J. grew up fishing and exploring the lakes and rivers surrounding Birmingham, as well as the waters of the Alabama coast. He enjoys spending his free time outdoors and is passionate about conserving the state’s natural resources for future generations. A.J. is the former Chairman of The University of Alabama Ducks Unlimited Chapter (2015-2016) and is a member of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham.
Vice President
Carrie Machen
Carrie owns and operates GadRock Microgym, an indoor climbing facility and outdoor stand-up paddle board guide service. Since 2017, she has guided and taught stand-up paddling on the Coosa River and its tributary creeks. She believes there is always something to be learned when paddling and finds inspiration out on the water. She is an Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) trail angel for the Gadsden area of the Coosa River. In addition to paddling, she also coaches a competitive youth climbing team, having coached her athletes all the way to Nationals. One of her favorite things to do is take her athletes outside to experience sport and nature together. When not managing the day-to-day operations of GadRock, you can be sure to find her paddling the nearby creeks and rivers or climbing southern sandstone rocks with her family and friends.
At-Large Board Member
Carson Dabbs
Carson is the General Manager at River Rocks Landing in Gadsden, AL. He lives a few steps from the Coosa River with his wife Jes, and their two daughters, Baileigh and Raelynn. He loves taking his family and friends out on the water to explore all that the Coosa has to offer. He is also very passionate about keeping the Coosa clean and enjoyable for everyone.
Legal & Advocacy Committee Chair
Chris DiGiorgio, J.D.
Chris is an attorney with the boutique immigration law firm of Graham Adair. He has spent the last 25 something years representing corporations in all of their US immigration needs. He was blessed to grow up with a family place on Lake Mitchell with his 5 brothers and 2 sisters and now all his very large extended family. He grew up fishing on the lake, skiing and any other water sport his family could dream up. He has seen the lake change in many ways throughout the years and is excited about working to protect the river and the lake for future generations. Chris is married to Betsy and has two grown men for children Zac and Noah.
At-Large Board Member
Kathleen Kirkpatrick
Kathleen Kirkpatrick is an environmental engineer, sustainability advisor, political consultant and activist with a passion for facilitating development of sustainable communities in the Rural South. She grew up mostly in Alabama, left the region to attend college and pursue a career in environmental protection, then returned in 2012 after her hometown of Tuscaloosa was devastated by a tornado. A dedicated advocate for environmental and social justice, Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical and ocean engineering from the University of Rhode Island and pursued graduate studies in sustainable building and Biomimicry. With a diverse career ranging from environmental policy, design sales, sustainability education, and nonprofit management to movement politics, she is currently Climate & Strategic Initiatives Director for statewide grassroots organizations Hometown Action and Hometown Organizing Project. She serves on the Board of Directors for Your Town Alabama, and continues to volunteer with a number of organizations for which sustainability and environmental justice are a focus. Kathleen has held a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) credential since 2009, and was the first Sustainable SITES AP and first EcoDistricts AP in Alabama.
At-Large Board Member
Josh Tidwell
Josh is Managing Partner at Big Wills Outfitters. For the past 10 years, he and his family have introduced thousands to the joys of kayaking and the beauty of Big Wills Creek. He lives with his wife Leslie and daughter Courtney within a short walk from the creek’s edge. As a child he and his cousins spent hours hunting crawdads in the streams around their neighborhood. His teen years were spent wade fishing with friends in Little Wills Creek for redeye bass, or boating and skiing on Weiss Lake where his family spent their summers. The adult years brought flyrods, canoes, whitewater kayaks and most of the rivers of Alabama into the mix. Along the way he dropped the whitewater kayaks, but remains an avid paddler and fisherman, spending most of his free time on the Coosa River and its tributaries. Josh joined Coosa Riverkeeper because he feels that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy some time in and around the water.
Rotaract Fellow
Thomas Yerby
Thomas is a Certified Public Accountant in the Birmingham office of Kassouf & Co, where he works as a manager specializing in construction, real estate, and manufacturing clients. He is from Madison, AL and currently resides in Vestavia with his wife and two boys. In his free time, Thomas enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, disc golf, and spending time with family and two dogs. He is a member of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham and is participating in their Board Fellows Program with Coosa Riverkeeper this year.
Avid Outdoorsman & Activist
Dion Grimes
Dion is an artist, passionate activist, volunteer and avid outdoorsman, living in Wilsonville, AL. Having lived along the Coosa for his entire life, on Logan Martin as a child, and now near Lay Lake, he has seen the impacts of the issues the basin faces first hand. He joined Coosa Riverkeeper, first, as an outreach committee member, then, spent time volunteering for the Advisory Council. He can now be found hiking the area trails, or kayaking the skinny water tributaries that feed the mighty Coosa.
Advisory Council
Owner of Treeline Expeditions & Educator
Bill Andrews
Director of Service Learning and Undergraduate Research at UAB
Amy Badham
Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Alabama Rivers Alliance “River Hero”
Nelson Brooke
Alabama Rivers Alliance “River Hero” and founding Coosa Riverkeeper Board member
Environmental Health & Safety Professional- Auburn University & Competitive Bass Angler
Michael Freeman
Presidential Graduate Research Fellow at Auburn University working towards a PhD in genetics
Matthew Lewis
biology, University of Alabama
Liz Johnson, Ph.D.
Lake Jordan property owner
Cliff Martin
Associate Professor in New College
Ellen Spears, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in New College/Geography at The University of Alabama
Michael Steinberg, Ph.D.
Attorney, Past Vice President of Coosa Riverkeeper
Michael Strickland, J.D.
Slasham Valley Interiors, owner
Lee Varner
Professor in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science at Auburn University
Alan Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Montevallo
Heather Tinsley, Ph.D.
Development & Outreach Expert in Elmore County
Nan Butler
Cattle Farmer
Larry Phillips
Biology Professor & Turtle Expert
Andy Coleman, Ph.D.
Vice President & Operating Partner for River Construction and Avid Fisher
Kane Estes
Owner of Treeline Expeditions & Educator
Bill Andrews
Bill, a resident of Homewood, has over 20 years of teaching experience as a 5th grade teacher. As a life long educator, he believes that experiential education is essential for growth in kids and adults. This belief led him to creating Treeline Expeditions LLC in 2012. Treeline’s mission is to get people of all ages unplugged and connected to the environment and those they are sharing the experience with. Bill and his wife Suzanne have led backpacking, paddling, and mountain bike expeditions all over the country and sea kayaking expeditions in the Bahamas. Though these adventures seem grand, some of his most rewarding and memorable experiences are sharing the beauty of the Coosa with others. Bill believes it is crucial in order for people to want to protect these invaluable arteries of Alabama that they experience what makes these waterways special.
Director of Service Learning and Undergraduate Research at UAB
Amy Badham
Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Alabama Rivers Alliance “River Hero”
Nelson Brooke
Nelson Brooke has been Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s staff Riverkeeper since January of 2004. As Riverkeeper, Nelson patrols the Black Warrior River and its tributaries from the land, water, and air, looks for and documents pollution problems, responds to citizen complaints, researches and analyzes polluters’ permits, collects pollution samples for laboratory analysis, educates the public about the beauty of the river and threats to it, works to empower stakeholders throughout the watershed, advocates compliance with environmental laws, works on finding solutions to pollution problems, and is a spokesman for the Black Warrior River watershed. Nelson also co-founded GASP, which is working to advance healthy air and environmental justice in the greater Birmingham area.
Alabama Rivers Alliance “River Hero” and founding Coosa Riverkeeper Board member
Associate Professor in New College/Geography at The University of Alabama
Michael Steinberg, Ph.D.
Attorney, Past Vice President of Coosa Riverkeeper
Michael Strickland, J.D.
Slasham Valley Interiors, owner
Lee Varner
Professor in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science at Auburn University
Alan Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Montevallo
Heather Tinsley, Ph.D.
Development & Outreach Expert in Elmore County
Nan Butler
Nan has been active on the Coosa River lakes all of her life, but became a full time resident on Lake Jordan twenty years ago. She has a passion for keeping the Coosa clean and healthy for now and for future generations. Professional experience includes 30 years working at a non profit organization, part of that time as Director of Development, and she still enjoys planning and participating in fund raising events. Since moving to Elmore County she has been an active volunteer with Main Street Wetumpka, Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (The Kelly), and has volunteered and served as a board member and officer with the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Cattle Farmer
Larry Phillips
Born in 1963, I was raised on a farm in Lincoln Alabama, we farmed soybeans and cows. Graduated from Lincoln High in 1981 and worked as a welder for the Nuclear Power Division of Flour Daniel Construction until going to work for the Department of Defense in 1987 and retired as a Logistics Management Specialist on the Command Staff of Anniston Army Depot in 2017. I currently own/operate a small 300+ Ac Angus cattle farm in the heart of the Coosa River Watershed in Lincoln Alabama.
I have an adjoining landowner that applied Septage (Human Feces) as fertilizer on his property that drains onto my property where high levels of E.coli have been detected. I am well versed and have done extensive research into ADPH regulation 420-3-6 Septage Management and am looking forward to working with and supporting the efforts of Coosa Riverkeeper.
Biology Professor & Turtle Expert
Andy Coleman, Ph.D.
Vice President & Operating Partner for River Construction and Avid Fisher
Kane Estes
I am an avid fisherman of the Coosa River, and try to share that experience with as many people as possible. I believe this river is often overlooked and ignored. But the experiences I’ve personally had on this river are unmatched. With Fishing pressure on every Coosa Lake at an ALL TIME HIGH, it is important that our water quality is strong enough to support a healthy population of sport fish. As natural fishing habitat disappears, it is replaced by sea walls and docks. I believe that the more vegetation that is not invasive, the better. It is the river’s natural filter.
Tributary Board
Sandhya Krishna
Mackenzie Pennington
Anna Screven Kelley
Yahn Olson
JT Mumber
Sandhya Krishna
Sandhya Krishna is a public health professional currently working at the CDC Foundation as the Contact Tracing System Manager for the Ohio Department of Health. She is a UAB graduate with a BS in Biology and an MPH. During her collegiate years, she spent her time volunteering at Coosa events and working as their Programs and Outreach Intern during the summers. She is thrilled to rejoin the Coosa Riverkeeper team as a Tributary board member. In her free time, Sandhya enjoys practicing yoga, rock climbing, and learning Hindi on duo lingo.
Mackenzie Pennington
My name is Mackenzie Pennington. I am from Childersburg Al. I am a graduate student at Auburn University studying horticulture with a bachelors in environmental science. I have always loved all aspects of the outdoors. I have spent and still currently spend many weekends on the Coosa river. My hobbies include nature photography, kayaking, and fishing.
Anna Screven Kelley
Anna Screven Kelley is currently living in Homewood. She is an independent sales rep for several major outdoor retail brands such as Teva and Kuhl. She graduated from The University of Alabama, class of 2017. She grew up on the Coosa River on Lake Logan Martin and has many fond memories from there. Her passions include hiking, fishing, and attending live music. She is excited to join Coosa Riverkeeper and be part of Tributary board.
Yahn Olson
My name is Yahn Olson. I am a recent graduate of Cumberland School of Law currently working at Environmental Litigation Group in Birmingham. I volunteered as the legal intern at Coosa Riverkeeper in 2020, and am excited to be back as a member of the tributary board. In my free time I also enjoy fishing, backpacking, playing lacrosse, and spending time with my wife Lauren & and our dog Aspen.
JT Mumber
I’m an environmental science major with a minor in fisheries aquaculture and allied sciences at Auburn University. I love nature and conservation and believe whole heartedly we can make or break our environment, and that we are at a critical juncture in human history in terms of environmental protection. I greatly enjoyed being a Lab technician for Coosa Riverkeeper and have been honored to be added to the Tributary Board. The Riverkeeper is full of great people doing great work and I’m so happy to continue being a part of that.
Interns
Field Technician
Claire Sims
Field Technician
Donovan Birchfield
Field Technician
Kelsey Knight
Field Technician
Lily Jacks
Lab Technician
Carmen Ross
Lab Technician
Lauren McCarver
Water Quality Technician
Anna Lancaster
Water Quality Technician
Brittanee Sanderson
Legal Intern
Brant Cook
Field Technician
Claire Sims
Hi, y’all! My name is Claire Sims, and I’m from Wetumpka, AL (just north of Montgomery). I am a freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in Environmental Science with a focus in Conservation, Biodiversity, and Natural Resources. I spend my free time doing embroidery, reading, kayaking, and playing saxophone!
Field Technician
Donovan Birchfield
Hello, my name is Donovan Birchfield! I’m from Birmingham, Alabama, and I’m currently a freshman at Talladega college majoring in biology. In my free time I’m either hanging out with my friends, doing something outdoors, or just chilling in the house watching tv!
Field Technician
Kelsey Knight
Hello! I’m Kelsey Knight and I am from Hoover, AL/Nashville, TN. I am graduating at the end of April from UAB with my Bachelors in Public Health. I plan on becoming a Mountainkeeper and hopefully making my own program one day. I am a morning person that loves to workout and be at the pool. I also have two cats named Blu and Ryder! (Also pictured: Kelsey’s dog, Dobrik)
Field Technician
Lily Jacks
Hello! I’m Lily Jacks and I’m from Birmingham, AL. I am a Junior at Juniata college in Huntingdon, PA studying fisheries and aquatic science. In my free time, I like to draw, hike, kayak, read (my favorite genre is fantasy/sci-fi), and I have been a competitive figure skater for a few years!
Lab Technician
Carmen Ross
Hey everyone! My name is Carmen Ross, and I’m originally from Chattanooga, TN, but I’ve been in Birmingham for the past four years. I graduated from UAB in December with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, and I’m currently getting a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology. I’m also currently a pole vaulter on the track team at UAB. In my spare time I like to hike, rock climb, read, and just be outdoors. I’m excited for this summer!
Lab Technician
Lauren McCarver
Hey y’all! I’m Lauren McCarver and I’m from Hokes Bluff, AL! I’m currently a junior at Jacksonville State University double majoring in Pre-Health Biology and Medicinal Chemistry. I plan to get my Masters in Perfusion and work as a cardiovascular perfusionist. In my free time I love traveling, reading, kayaking, and watching scary movies. I’ve grown up on the Coosa River and can’t wait for this opportunity to work for the betterment of it!
Water Quality Technician
Anna Lancaster
Hey! My name is Anna Lancaster and I’m from Birmingham, Alabama. I am currently a sophomore at Auburn University majoring in Biosystems Engineering. In my free time I work in a geotechnical research lab and I like hanging with friends, reading, and traveling!
Water Quality Technician
Brittanee Sanderson
Hey y’all! My name is Brittanee! Y’all can call me Britt! I’m from Madison, which is a town near Huntsville, Alabama. I graduated from UAB in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health and Human Services! Immediately after, I decided to continue my education at UAB to obtain a Master’s of Public Health Degree concentrating in Epidemiology! I’m a big number person, so I like to see how statistics and research relates to Public Health practice. In my spare time, I love to travel, shop, meet new people, and participate in water sports! I am a big Public Health advocate, simply because it’s all around us and truly has no limits!
Legal Intern
Brant Cook
Howdy y’all! My name is Brant Cook and I am originally from Semmes, AL (which is just outside of Mobile). I graduated from the University of South Alabama in May 2021 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Political Science, and I am currently pursuing a J.D. at the University of Alabama School of Law. Having grown up near the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and enjoying all of the natural beauty that my home region has to offer, I couldn’t help but want to be of service in the area of environmental law. In my spare time, I like to lift weights, watch Disney+, and discuss college football. Go Jags and Roll Tide!
