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Jerry Kenny, Ph.D., PE
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Bridget Barron, Ph.D.Dr. Barron is 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) |
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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) |
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Jason Bruggeman, Ph.D.Jason is a wildlife research biologist and biometrician that has worked in both the private consulting and academic arenas. He has extensive experience with spatial and population data of avian and mammalian species. Jason has designed and led studies involving pikas, grassland specialist birds, and Northern Goshawks. As a researcher at the University of Minnesota, Jason worked with existing data from Arctic Peregrine Falcons to assess occupancy and population dynamics; Bald Eagles to assess lead concentrations in nestlings; and black-tailed prairie dogs to assess colony areal dynamics. Jason has experience with collaborative research and monitoring studies involving state, federal, and non-government partners.
Education: Ph.D. Fish and Wildlife Biology, Montana State University, 2006., B.S. Fish and Wildlife Management, Montana State University, 2002., M.E. Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 1999, B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1998. |
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Libby Casavant, EITLibby 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: Engineering Intern (EI) |
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Kristen CognacKristen is a hydrogeologist at Headwaters Corporation. She has experience with hydrogeological investigations and groundwater modeling related to recharge, groundwater-surface water interaction, and sub-surface transport. She is currently working to identify and quantify the hydrologic processes that sustain wet meadows along the Platte River using long-term monitoring data coupled with elevation surveys and analytical and numerical modeling. She is simultaneously completing her Ph.D. in groundwater modeling at Colorado State University.
Education: Ph.D. Candidate, Colorado State University (present), M.S. Hydrogeology, Colorado State University, 2019; B.S. Environmental Science and Geology, Northeastern University, 2012 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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Sarah HinshawSarah Hinshaw is a fluvial geomorphologist at Headwaters Corporation. Sarah has conducted river research in a variety of settings and climates, ranging from wood-rich Stage 0 restoration projects in Pacific Northwest rivers to beaver-modified, water-limited systems in Colorado. She focuses on strategies for process-based restoration and “bridging the gaps” between geomorphology and ecology. Sarah is currently finishing her Ph.D. at Colorado State University, where she studies carbon sequestration potential of river restoration. At Headwaters, she works to evaluate sediment augmentation efforts in the context of habitat suitability on the Platte River.
Education: Ph.D. Geosciences (expected), Colorado State University, 2022; Graduate Certificate in Data Analysis, Colorado State University, 2021; M.S. Geosciences, Colorado State University, 2019; B.S. Geological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2015. |
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Mallory JaymesMallory is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation. She has experience implementing a range of land stewardship activities as well as wildlife monitoring, tracking and research. Mallory's expertise includes planning and oversight of prescribed burns, telemetry tracking of big horn sheep, burrowing owl and swift fox surveys, and range health and condition monitoring.
Education: M.S. Organizational Management, Chadron State College, 2015; B.S. Rangeland Management, Chadron State College, 2013 |
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Kaley Keldsen
Kaley is a wildlife biologist at Headwaters Corporation. She has experience implementing biological studies and specializes in photographic data collection research. She is very proficient at threatened and endangered species productivity and abundance monitoring, predator identification and control, and database management.
Education: M.S. Wildlife Biology, University of Nebraska, Kearney; B.S. Park and Recreation Management - Natural Resources Emphasis, University of Nebraska-Kearney, 2016 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Michael SteeleMichael is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management with an emphasis on Natural Resource Management and a Minor in History. Michael is part of the team that monitors interior least tern and piping plover nesting activities on the central Platte River. He works to document potential predators at nesting sites through analysis of remote camera footage and track surveys. Michael also participates in aerial surveys to document whooping crane presence during the spring and fall migratory seasons. Michael assists Headwaters Corporation with equipment maintenance and land management tasks.
Education: B.S. Recreation Management – emphasis in Natural Resource Management and Outdoor Pursuit with a History minor, University of Nebraska, Kearney (expected in May 2023) |
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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 |
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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) |
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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 |
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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 |
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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) |