Sonoran Institute People News

The Sonoran Institute has employees who are passionate about the environment and committed to making a positive difference in the world. The Institute has many diverse and enthusiastic supporters of our unique brand of collaborative conservation and helping communities in the Intermountain West make the best decisions they can about their future. Our employees and partners tell their story below. Enjoy.

Paula Randolph Elected to Arizona's Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy

The Institute has learned that Paula Randolph has been selected by the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, Fall 2012 class of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. Paula is a project manager for the Institute, based in Phoenix, AZ. "Representing the conservation community in the fourth class of the Academy is an honor," says Paula. "Strengthening civic leadership through collaborative opportunities with others from Arizona is a tried and true method encouraged at the Institute." Paula and the Institute extend their sincere thanks to the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations in Tucson for supporting the Arizona Civic Leadership Collaborative as a statewide resource and convener for organizations interested and involved in strengthening civic leadership. Nice work Paula. Congratulations! (Posted October 2012)

Read more about Paula

Randy Carpenter to Lead the Northern Rockies Legacy Program

The Sonoran Institute has appointed Randy Carpenter as Director of the Northern Rockies Legacy Program, which covers the Institute’s project work in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. The Northern Rockies Program office is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. “Randy is a highly valued member of our organization and has been a mainstay in our Bozeman office for the last 10 years,” said Luther Propst, chief executive officer of the Sonoran Institute. “Randy’s passion for our work is clear and he is known and highly respected by our partners in the region.”

Carpenter replaces Diane Snyder who has accepted an offer to become the Chief Program Officer for the Sonoran Institute. Snyder’s new position, based in Tucson, Arizona, will guide and oversee the Institute's program work from Mexico to Montana. “I am very excited about the work we are doing, and the team we have assembled here in the Northern Rockies Program,” said Carpenter. “Helping communities manage change – while protecting what they value most – has never been more relevant than now in these uncertain times.”

The Northern Rockies Program is a growing team of professionals that includes Alison Berry (Energy & Economics Specialist); Cameron Ellis (GIS Manager); Jerry Grebenc (Community Projects Manager); John Heyneman (Wyoming Program Manager); Katie Meiklejohn (Working Landscapes Program Manager); Mike Tercek (Ecologist); Holly Turner (Program Associate), and KayCee Alameda (Saratoga – Wyoming Community Project Manager).

Check out the work of the Northern Rockies Team
(Posted June 2012)

Jerry Grebenc Joins the Institute

Jerry Grebenc has joined the Northern Rockies team of the Institute, filling the position of Community Program Manager for the Northern Rockies Legacy Program. Previously, Jerry was Acting Planning Bureau Chief of the Community Development Division for the Montana Department of Commerce.

“The Institute’s work is dedicated to the idea that communities manage change most effectively when they have accurate, compelling information and meaningfully engage their citizens,” says Diane Snyder, director of the Northern Rockies program. “We are delighted to have Jerry on board to help us in our community outreach efforts in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Jerry understands the critical issues facing our communities and is dedicated to working closely with community partners to help shape a better future for the region – one of healthy landscapes, vibrant economies, and livable communities.”

Having a graduate degree in geography from the University of Montana, Jerry has worn many community development hats, including: working in the private sector managing the development of private lands; as a local land-use planner and county planning director; and for the State of Montana where he provided practical advice and assistance to local governments and other clients about community development issues.

“I am very excited to join the Sonoran Institute, particularly the Northern Rockies Program” says Grebenc. “The Institute’s work embodies my personal and professional commitment to the conservation of the landscapes, amenities and communities of the Northern Rockies, particularly on terms that respect the region’s social, cultural and economic fabric.”

Jerry has lived in Montana for 20 years, and enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and playing hockey.  He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters; Halley and Elsa.

Meet Jerry on our YouTube site. (Posted Feb. 2012)

Emily Brott is one of America's Future Leaders

Every year the Arizona Daily Star recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 who are making significant achievements and contributions to their profession and the Tucson community. This year, out of over 250 nominations, they selected Emily Brott, Southern Arizona project manager for the Institute’s Sun Corridor Legacy program.

The 2011 40 under 40 winners will be honored at an awards breakfast Oct. 6, at the Doubletree Hotel, Reid Park, in Tucson, Arizona. The 40 Under 40 Man of the Year and Woman of the Year will be announced at the event.

Click here to read more about Emily.

Susan & Peter Culp -- Named 2011 Conservation Champions -- Arizona League of Conservation Voters

Phoenix, AZ -- April 11, 2011 -- The Arizona League of Conservation Voters has named Susan and Peter Culp the 2011 Conservation Champion Award designees, and will be honoring them at the AZLCV's 2nd annual Earth Night celebration on April 22nd at the beautiful Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix, AZ. AZLCV Executive Director, Steve Arnquist says, "With so much recent news and budget cut concerns over our State Parks, honoring Susan and Peter Culp for not only their amazing work on the documentary "Postcards from the Parks," but also their long-time commitment to conservation in Arizona was a natural fit for our Earth Day celebration. We are happy to give them the public accolades they deserve."

Susan and Peter have worked for more than a decade on important environmental issues in Arizona. Together, they financed and co-produced the documentary film, "Postcards from the Parks." The film, released last year, takes viewers on an exploratory journey of Arizona's State Park system -- and to also discover what it will take to ensure that our parks thrive, grow and continue to enrich Arizona for generations. Peter, formerly with the Sonoran Institute, is a partner at Squire Sanders, where he practices in the environmental, water and natural resources law areas. He also serves on the Colorado River Advisory Commission and has donated thousands of hours in pro bono work to conservation groups and causes. Susan is currently a project manager for Western Lands and Communities, a joint venture of the Sonoran Institute and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, where she works to improve state trust land management west-wide, and to provide tools for local governments to effectively plan for and manage the impacts of climate change. Susan is the former Executive Director of the Arizona League of Conservation Voters, where she worked for five years.