|
Chadwin Smith, Ph.D.Chad is a Headwaters Corporation principal. He has experience in river management, science, and policy, particularly with large, complex resource management programs. He has worked primarily as a consultant on large-scale endangered species recovery and ecosystem restoration programs throughout the United States, with the focus of his career on implementation and evaluation of aquatic-based adaptive management programs involving the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His technical expertise includes adaptive management, program governance, decision analysis, data analysis and synthesis, and use and management of independent science panels and peer review processes. Chad specializes in engaging multiple stakeholders in implementation of adaptive management at a large scale and evaluating governance structures in large restoration programs to improve the effectiveness of adaptive management.
Education: Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences (Adaptive Management), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2020; M.P.A. in Environmental Policy/Natural Resources Management, Indiana University- Bloomington, 1996; B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife with Highest Distinction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1994 |
|
Jason Farnsworth, BCESJason Farnsworth is a Headwaters Corporation principal and serves as the Executive Director of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. He is a biologist with experience on a variety of resource planning, management and restoration projects including design and implementation of large-scale adaptive management experiments. Jason has special expertise in the integration of ecological and physical process modeling, monitoring and research to assess the effectiveness of natural resources management activities. Much of his recent work has focused on restoration and management of braided rivers in semi-arid environments, including the complex relationships between hydrology, sediment, and riparian vegetation that control channel morphology in these systems.
Education: B.S. Comprehensive Biology with Highest Distinction, Chadron State College, 2000 Certifications: Board Certified Environmental Scientist (AAEES), 2016 |
|
Justin Brei, PEJustin is a Senior Biosystems Engineer for Headwaters Corporation. He is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in Nebraska with experience in design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration for wetland restoration and creation and riverine endangered species habitat creation and maintenance. Justin has working knowledge of several spatial and civil design software packages such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Global Mapper. He also has experience managing large spatial datasets including specifications and acquisitions for aerial imagery and LiDAR elevation data.
Education: B.S. Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 2005 Certifications: Professional Engineer – Civil, 2012 (NE) , 2018 (CO) |
|
Libby Casavant, PELibby is a water resources engineer with a background in hydrology, hydrodynamic modeling, sediment transport, and flood mitigation. She has professional experience in the assessment and design of stream restoration, constructed wetlands, and stormwater improvement projects intended to decrease pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. While earning her master’s as an NSF fellow, she collaborated with Dutch researchers to investigate the feasibility of diverting excess sediment from a braided channel system in India. She enjoys the complexity and dynamism of these systems and the unique challenges they present.
Education: M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 2022., B.S.E Environmental Hydrology, University of Arizona, 2012 Certifications: Professional Engineer – Civil, 2023 (CO) |
|
Patrick FarrellPatrick is a Statistical Ecologist at Headwaters Corporation who develops and conducts a variety of statistical analyses for water resource and biological projects. He also provides statistical consulting for experimental design and implementation and has experience coding within statistical software programs, evaluating wildlife habitat selection, and analyzing wildlife population dynamics. Recent projects have included identification and prediction of channel form and function of a braided river system and ecological resource selection for federally listed avian species. Patrick also has experience with Structured Decision Making (SDM), Bayesian modeling, and GPS/GIS spatial modeling.
Education: Graduate Certificate in Data Analysis, Colorado State University, 2017; M.S. Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 2015; B.S. Biology: Natural Resources, Central Michigan University, 2012 |
|
Nicole FijmanNicole is a Geospatial Analyst for Headwaters Corporation, leveraging her interdisciplinary background in Biology and Environmental Science to tackle challenges within ecology, conservation, and sustainability using geospatial data driven solutions. She has experience using python to manage multivariate datasets, ensure a high quality of data, and effectively visualize the data to infer insights. Nicole also has experience using machine learning methodologies, enabling her to discern patterns, extrapolate trends, and construct predictive models.
Education: M.S Biology, University of Southern Mississippi, 2019; B.S. Environmental Science, Rhodes College, 2015 |
|
Malinda Henry, Ph.D.Malinda serves as the Science Lead for Headwaters Corporation. She has a multi-disciplinary background in biology, zoology, botany, reproductive ecology, physiology, endocrinology and genetics that gives her the tools to design and lead scientific research to evaluate a diverse array of target species responses to environmental change. Malinda is also a collaborating scientist with an international NGO that provides information essential for making wildlife and habitat management decisions to federal, state and municipal regulatory agencies, infrastructure development companies, landowners, funding organizations, academic and zoological communities and to the public.
Education: B.S. Biology with Honors, Doane College, Crete, NE 1992; M.S. Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1998; Ph.D. Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2011; Post-doctoral Fellowship, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 2012-2013; Post-doctoral Fellowship, Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, North Fluminense State University (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. |
|
Ethan IdeusEthan is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation. He grew up in southeast Nebraska and developed a passion early on for wildlife and the outdoors. He carries this passion with him as he coordinates the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program’s whooping crane monitoring project in the spring and fall. Furthermore, he works with a team of biologists to monitor interior least terns and piping plovers as well as track trends and observations of their nesting habitat. Ethan has experience with various land management strategies, greater prairie chicken surveys, Canada goose banding, nuisance wildlife relocations, and rodent mark and recapture population studies.
Education: B.S. Biology, Concordia University, Nebraska, 2023 |
|
Quinn Lewis, Ph.DQuinn is a River Scientist for Headwaters Corporation with proficiency in fluvial geomorphology, water resources, low-altitude and traditional remote sensing, and human-environment interaction. He has led research that spans from intensive investigations of river flow mixing dynamics, to rapid geomorphic change in fluvial landscapes, to citizen science in geomorphology. Quinn works with a broad spectrum of stakeholders from academia to landowners and collaborates on national and international research. His experience and expertise spans disciplines and scales, embraces complexity, and focuses on using modern tools and methods to make contributions to both applied and fundamental river science.
Education: B.S. Geography, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, 2011. M.S. Geography, University of Illinois, 2014. PhD Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois, 2018. Post-doctoral Fellowship, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Indiana University (Environmental Resilience Institute), 2018 – 2019 |
|
Julie LiakosJulie is the Administrative Assistant at Headwaters Corporation. She has experience in office management and clerical support. Her primary responsibilities include: coordinating meeting logistics; document and file handling; payroll processing; client payment processing; marketing material production and various other tasks. Her primary focus is to organize and operate the office to provide seamless service to both staff and clients.
Education: B.S. Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Kearney, 1990 |
|
Tyler MatrangosTyler is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation. He is part of the team that monitors interior least tern and piping plover nesting along the central Platte River. He assists on locating and identifying nests and conducts predator monitoring research by performing track surveys and reviewing data. He helps with placing remote cameras to document nest fate and record predator presences. He also participates in river surveys and helps document bald eagle nesting. In addition, he contributes to spring and fall aerial surveys of whooping cranes using the central Platte.
Education: B.S. Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife, University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2025 |
|
Tim Tunnell, CERPTim Tunnell is a Senior Land Manager at Headwaters Corporation. He has 25 years of experience with a variety of native grassland/rangeland resource planning, management and restoration strategies including prescribed fire planning & implementation, ecological grazing, herbicide & mechanical control of invasive /noxious vegetation, and grassland restoration design and implementation. Tim has special expertise in the integration of prescribed fire and grazing to enhance heterogeneity of native grassland species composition and vegetative structure for the benefit of grassland wildlife and livestock production. Much of his recent work has focused on the planning, coordinating, and implementation of the restoration and management projects on ~12,500 acres of habitat lands acquired through the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP) located within an 80- mile stretch of the Big-bend Reach of the Platte River in South-central Nebraska. Education: M.S. Rangeland Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, 2002; B.S. Wildlife Management, Texas Tech University, 1994 Certifications: Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (SER), 2017; Certified Wildland Fire Manager (AFE), 2017 |
|
Seth Turner, PE
Seth is a Senior Water Resources Engineer at Headwaters Corporation specializing in water resources planning and management. He has extensive experience with the hydrologic modeling of river systems; water supply needs assessments from local to statewide levels; evaluation of alternative agricultural water transfer methods; and the alternatives, operations, and surface water effects analyses required for NEPA compliance of regional water supply projects. The primary focus of Seth’s recent work for Headwaters is the development of water projects for the benefit of threatened and endangered species in a highly-managed river system.
Education: M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2003; B.S. Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 Certifications: Professional Engineer, 2007 (CO) |
|
Alicia UribeAlicia is the Executive Office Manager at Headwaters Corporation. She has experience extending across Human Resources, Accounting, Customer Service, Product Management, and Marketing disciplines. At Headwaters she utilizes her background to contribute to the development and implementation of the business strategic plan, oversight of accounting, and management of human resources including benefits, payroll, retirement accounts, and insurance. Alicia works collaboratively with the Headwaters Leadership Team to develop and improve systems, processes, and procedures. She is responsible for Outreach and Public Relations for PRRIP through continued involvement with the community utilizing educational programs, exhibits, and sponsorships.
Education: B.S. Business, Bellevue University, 2015; A.A.S Accounting, Central Community College, 2013 |
|
Alyx VogelAlyx is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation specializing in field monitoring of endangered species. She has field experience in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska working with a variety of wildlife including trapping and banding piping plovers and interior least terns on the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers, herpetofauna sampling, and organizing educational programs. Alyx is currently part of a team at Headwaters that conducts whooping crane surveys in the spring and fall and monitors piping plover and interior least tern nesting in the summer along the Platte River.
Education: B.S. Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife, University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2013 |
|
Jonathan WentzJonathan is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation. He grew up with the Platte riverine ecosystem and has a strong desire to contribute to its maintenance. He is part of a team that monitors interior least tern and piping plover nesting along the central Platte River by conducting observational surveys and collecting data from remote cameras. He also participates in spring and fall aerial surveys of whooping cranes using the central Platte. Jonathan has experience with mist netting baltimore orioles and orchard orioles, waterfowl surveys, and mark and recapture of softshell turtles.
Education: B.S. Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife, University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2022 |
|
Ed Weschler, EITEd is a Water Resources Engineer at Headwaters Corporation. He is a licensed Engineering Intern (EI) in Colorado, with experience creating designs utilizing Civil3D and ArcGIS. He assists with implementation of PRRIP Water Plan projects such as broad-scale groundwater recharge. Ed also assists the Lakewood water resources group with engineering design of off-channel and riverine wetland restoration as well as administration and observation of construction of these projects.
Education: B.S. Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, 2021 Certifications: Engineering Intern (EI) - Civil, 2021 (CO) |
|
Jerry Kenny, Ph.D., PE
|
|
Bridget Barron, Ph.D.Dr. Barron retired at the end of 2022. From 2018 - 2022, she served as CEO and President of Headwaters Corporation and the Director of Operations, Administration and Human Dimensions. Bridget is a licensed clinical psychologist who has a remarkable combination of clinical skills, business administration skills, and expert knowledge of motivating and influencing others. She plans, directs and oversees Headwaters Corporation day to day business operations in human relations, finance and accounting, information technology, and office management. She has experience in leading large teams from diverse backgrounds and effectively managing relationships with partners and the public. She creates media and promotional materials for Headwaters Corporation and serves as the subject matter expert for public affairs and media relations.
Education: MBA/M.S. in Health Administration, University of Colorado Denver, 1996; Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Washington State University, 1989; M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Washington State University, 1985; B.A. in Psychology, University of Denver, 1981 Certifications: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, 1991, (CO); Licensed Clinical Psychologist, 2008, (NE) |