Council Members  Les Gilman, ChairmanLes is a 5th generation Ruby Valley rancher with a commitment to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. In the fall of 2009, the Gilman family celebrated 100 years on the home place near Alder. In 1993 Les founded Ranch Resources LLC to provide independent ranch management and consulting services to private land owners. The company currently provides these services to thirty properties across Montana. Les and his wife Donna have three adult children, all currently living in Montana. He is actively involved in the community through a variety of boards and organizations. Contact Les - lgilman@ranchresources.net, 406-596-1090 Subcommittee - Land Use/Planning  Frank ColwellContact Frank - frank.colwell@prumt.com, 406-684-5686 Subcommittee - Land Use/Planning  Bill Fraser Bill grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and spent part
of his early youth fishing and hunting with his family in Patagonia, the Andes
and on the Argentine frontier with Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. The
region’s vast landscapes, pristine wildernesses and contact with native
communities instilled in him an early sense of respect for the land and the
diverse peoples that used and occupied it. In 1989, Bill completed a Ph.D. from the
University of Minnesota in Ecology. Research in Antarctica became Bill’s career,
and in 2000 he and his wife, Donna, formed Polar Oceans Research Group, a
private, non-profit research organization based in Sheridan, Montana. The
organization’s work focuses on climate change and its impacts on Southern Ocean
ecosystems. Bill currently spends 3-5 months a year in Antarctica. He is an active member
of the Lewis and Clark chapter of Trout Unlimited and also represents TU as a member
of the Ruby River Watershed Council.  Janet MarshJanet grew up in Sheridan, living and working on the Marsh family farm. She was active in 4-H, Ametican Junior Hereford Association and a State Officer in FFA. After living in Bozeman for many years she has now returned to Sheridan where she lives with her husband Brad Schwend and daughter Jaia Naisbitt. Janet is chairman of the Board of Directors and chairman of the education committee for Jackson’s Garden. Contact Janet - jmarsh@3rivers.net, 406-842-5888 Subcommittees - Education Jennifer Konopacki Jennifer grew up and most most of her life on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. She moved to the Ruby Valley seven years ago, and has found that she can't get enough of the land and its people. Jennifer believes that having a connection with nature and the land brings strength to our spirits and our community. As a member of the Ruby Watershed Council, she strives to educate her community about the Ruby Valley, and help develop a sense of gratitude for this place we call home. Subcommittees - Education  Jeremy MillerJeremy Miller grew up on his family's cattle ranch right on the Ruby River near Alder, MT. He is passionate about the preservation of the natural resource and rural heritage of the Ruby Valley. Jeremy has been a member of the Ruby Watershed Council for 6 years. He enjoys fly fishing, hunting, international travel and spending time in the mountains. Jeremy is co-owner of Miller Recreational Develoment, Inc. with his brother, Jason, a construction firm specializing in stream restoration. When he's not on the job with MRDI, he's helping out on the family ranch with his border collie, Tuff. Contact - www.millcreation.com, jeremy@millcreation.com, 406-596-0343  Donna McDonaldDonna has been a licensed outfitter in the state of
Montana since 1989, and has been on the Montana Outfitters and Guides Board of
Directors for eighteen years. In 2008
and 2009, she was their first woman President.
She has served for over six years on the Governors Appointed Private
Land/Public Wildlife Council, charged with developing solutions and legislation
to issues raised involving hunting, fishing, and public access. She served on the Western Montana Resource
Advisory Council for the Bureau of Land Management from 2001 to 2006. She has been honored to work as a member of
the Ruby Watershed Council since 2006. “Staying
involved in preserving our outdoor heritage is one of my most passionate
goals. I enjoy working with our local
community and networking to protect our water quality, natural resources and
our cherished history that we share in the Ruby Valley.” John Anderson Gary Giem Duke Gilman Roger Williams Technical Advisors Andrea Sarchet, MSU Extension Service Charity Fechter, Madison County Planner Dan Durham, NRCS Soil Conservationist Darin A Watschke,- USFS Fisheries Biologist Dave Schulz Commissioner, Madison County Commissioner Emma Cayer, FWP Wetland & Riparian Area Specialist Jeff Ryan, DEQ Environmental Science Specialist Katie Benzel, BLM Wildlife Biologist Ann Schwend, DNRC Water Resource Specialist, Chair Montana Watershed Coordination Council Trisha Cracroft, NRCS District Conservationist Mark Kelley, DEQ Watershed Protection & Planning Specialist Lynda Saul, DEQ Wetland Environmental Specialist Matt Jaeger, FWP Fisheries Biologist Emma Cayer, FWP Riparian Specialist | Staff  Rebecca Ramsey, Ruby Watershed Coordinator Rebecca, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, first came to Montana in 1984 with her grandparents where they stayed in Virginia City/Nevada City. She moved to the Ruby Valley in 1998, and currently resides in Virginia City, the county seat of Madison County.
Rebecca served on the RWC for 3 years before becoming the Coordinator. Formerly a horse breeding farm manager, since moving to Montana she has been a guest ranch manager, veterinary technician, substitute teacher, real estate agent, caterer - "whatever it takes to stay here," as she says, and is also a licensed massage therapist. She has a BS in Mass Communications from Stephens College.
Rebecca is passionate about conservation of natural resources & preservation of rural life. She enjoys hiking,backpacking,cross country skiing & fly fishing with her dog, downhill skiing, live music, cooking and horseback riding (especially moving cows!) Contact Rebecca - rubywatershed@gmail.com, 406-842-5741 ext. 106 |
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Meet The Council |
