Who we are
Lance Winecka – Executive Director
Lance Winecka was born and raised in the Puget Sound area. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Huxley College at Western Washington University in 1996. After graduation he skiied and fly fished in Big Sky, Montana for two years. Then returning to Washington State, he worked in Marine Operations for WSDOT. Lance was hired at SPSSEG the day after the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake. Today he continues his gratifying work for SPSSEG. Lance lives in Olympia with his family. Lance may be contacted at lancew@spsseg.org
picture of Christine coming soon…
Christine Garst – Accounts Manager
Christine Garst is on contract through The Nonprofit Center in Tacoma. She has been with the group since August 2004. Christine brings with her several years of accounting experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. She and her husband Sam have become active in environmental and progressive causes in South Puget Sound, and recently completed building the “greenest house in Thurston County.” Christine may be contacted at christineg@spsseg.org
Kristin Williamson- Salmon Habitat Restoration Biologist
A born and bred Minnesotan, Kristin grew up with warm-water fishes like bass, walleye, and northern pike, only to flee the Land of 10,000 Lakes bound for bigger salmon-infested waters of Western Washington. Kristin migrated to Washington in 1998 to attend the University of Puget Sound, where she earned a B.S. in Biology. Following school, she worked as a Creel Surveyor for WDFW for a season and as a fisheries biologist for the Puyallup Tribe for three years. She joined the SPSSEG family in 2005 and is proud to continue her passion of salmon research and restoration alongside her coworkers. Kristin may be contacted at kristinw@spsseg.org
Kim Gridley – Assessment & Monitoring Project Manager
Upon her arrival to the Pacific Northwest in 1999, Kim stood in awe of the majesty of the Cascades and Olympics, the brilliance of the vegetation, the diversity of wildlife, and the presence of water in every nook and cranny of the landscape. She immediately realized that this region was her home. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Kim spent much of her weekends and summers at the small creek that ran behind her home, catching minnows, frogs, salamanders, and crayfish. Her childhood passion became her profession.
Kim received a B.S. from the Evergreen State College in 2002. While at Evergreen she studied soil microbiology, hydrology, ethno-botany, and coastal ecology. Kim views her education as a quintessential Evergreen experience. After graduation she remained in Olympia and worked as a field biologist for the Department of Ecology, the Pacific Northwest Research Station, DNR, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Kim is thrilled to be working with SPSSEG. Kim may be contacted at kimberlieg@spsseg.org
Brian Combs – Salmon Restoration Biologist
Brian is an avid outdoorsman and has been exploring his passion for natural history in the Pacific Northwest since 1995. Brian earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the Evergreen State College in 2003 with emphasis in botany and ecology. He has since been working as a biologist in both the government and private sectors. His professional experience includes wetland biology, habitat restoration, botany, and wildlife studies. His spare time is spent mushroom hunting and fishing. Brian is glad to be a part of a non-profit organization and hopes to grow personally and professionally while being a steward of our region’s great resources.
Jerilyn Walley – Field Monitoring Technician and Office Worker
Jerilyn is SPSSEG’s workstudy from South Puget Sound Community College. She is working with Kristin, Kim and Brian the various field projects and learning about salmon and habitat monitoring techniques. She in the office focusing on creating a donor database, updating the website and other projects as they come about.
