Prior to becoming LLTK’s Executive Director in March 2010, Jacques served as Director of Marine Conservation at the Nature Conservancy of Washington and Director of Science and Habitat Programs at People for Puget Sound. He has served as a member of the Ecosystem Coordination Board of the Governor’s Puget Sound Partnership and the Steering Committee for the US Army Corps of Engineer's Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project. Jacques has received several awards for his scientific research; authored more than 20 scientific and policy articles and publications; and frequently speaks at regional and national environmental conferences. He holds a Ph.D. in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in Marine Science from Louisiana State University, and a B.S. in Oceanography and a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Washington.
Staff
Jacques White, Executive Director
Richard S. Endicott, Facility Manager, Lilliwaup Creek Hatchery
A lifelong resident of the Hood Canal region, Rick has been with LLTK since 1993. Before that he was a hatchery manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for more than 15 years. In 2008, Rick was one of five finalists for the Wild Salmon Center's "Salmon Hall of Fame" award.
Michael X. Ewanciw, Director of Administration and Finance
Mike has nearly 20 years of financial management experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining LLTK's staff in 1998, he worked for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, Seeds of Change, and Whole Foods Markets. He has a master's of business administration from the University of Texas, and a certificate in environmental management from the University of Washington. Mike serves on the Board of Plant Amnesty.
Joy Lee Waltermire, Steelhead Fisheries Biologist, Lilliwaup Facility / Hood Canal Projects
Joy has been with LLTK since 2001. LLTK's resident Steelhead Biologist, Joy serves as the staff lead for field activities in association with the Hood Canal Steelhead Project. She manages data collection, volunteer coordination, and community education programs based at our Lilliwaup Hatchery. Joy holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Evergreen State College.
Carol McGrath, Development Associate and Assistant to the Executive Director
Prior to joining LLTK's staff in August 2003, Carol served as assistant to the director of public affairs at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and spent seven years in New York as an exhibition coordinator at both the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of the City of New York. Carol grew up in Connecticut, and received her B.A. in history at the University of New Hampshire.
Jed Moore, Project Coordinator
A native of the Northwest, Jed recently graduated with a Master’s degree from Oregon State University’s Marine Resource Management program. Jed is excited to have joined the LLTK team and to be working with fisheries scientists, fisheries managers, fish lovers and fishing enthusiasts. He assists Director of Fish Programs Michael Schmidt with volunteer coordination and other duties associated with LLTK’s hatchery facilities.
Mike O’Connell, Facility Manager, Glenwood Springs Hatchery
Mike is a longtime fisheries biologist with experience and training in many areas of natural resource management. Prior to joining LLTK's staff in 2001, he was a district watershed manager for the Middle Deschutes Watershed in central Oregon. Mike holds a B.S. in resource geography from Oregon State University. He and his wife, Tina, live on Orcas with their son Soren.
Michael Schmidt, Director of Fish Programs
Michael joined Long Live the Kings (LLTK) in 2001, starting as an assistant to the facilitator of the Puget Sound and Coastal Washington Hatchery Reform Project (2001-2004). In 2004, after receiving his Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, Michael became the Fish Program Coordinator, and in 2007, the Director of Fish Programs. Michael oversees LLTK’s fish enhancement and supplementation projects based out of the organization's two hatcheries and helps coordinate the Hood Canal Steelhead Project. Since June of 2006, Michael has also been the facilitator for the US Fish & Wildlife Service Hatchery Review Team.
Shirley J. Solomon, Chair, Skagit Watershed Council
Shirley joined the organization in 1996. Since 1997 her work has been exclusively with the Skagit Watershed Council, where she serves as chair of the organization. Prior to joining LLTK Shirley worked for the Northwest Renewable Resources Center directing several projects dealing with natural resource management and tribal-county intergovernmental jurisdiction. Shirley has worked as an environmental consultant throughout the West, and in 2006 she was appointed by the Governor of Washington to serve on the State's Fish and Wildlife Commission.