Lance Winecka

Executive Director

Lance Winecka was born and raised near the Puget Sound. Lance has worked for SPSSEG since 2001 and has overseen over 100 on-the-ground restoration projects. In 2007, Lance became the Executive Director for the Group and continues to build upon his experience to build better projects and to be more effective in salmon restoration. Lance lives in Olympia, WA with his wife and two kids.

Lance may be contacted at

 

Brian Combs

Salmon Habitat Restoration Biologist, Primary Project Manager

Brian earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the Evergreen State College in 2003 and worked in diverse environmental positions with local government and private firms before joining the SPSSEG team in 2009. He enjoys working with stakeholders in developing watershed planning strategies as well as providing technical assistance for riparian, wetland, and fish passage projects, and working in the continuum across aquatic and terrestrial landscapes. Brian is glad to be part of a non-profit organization serving the South Sound community. With his free time, Brian loves roaming the wilds of Cascadia collecting mushrooms, fishing and hiking.

Brian may be contacted at

 

Kristin Williamson

Salmon Habitat Restoration Biologist, Primary Project Manager
Kristin has called the Pacific Northwest home since 1998 after moving here to earn her bachelors of science in biology from the University of Puget Sound. She is proud to be part of the SPSSEG team serving as project manager and fish biologist on restoration projects focused in the Pierce County portion of our region on the Puyallup and Chambers-Clover watersheds. Kristin’s passion for her work is driven by her desire to make right the environmental wrongs of past land use practices and restore our regions wild rivers for future generations of fish to thrive. On and off the clock, Kristin enjoys roaming the mountains, forests, and floodplains, and waters of the Pacific Northwest.

 

Kristin may be contacted at .

 

Brian Zierdt

GIS Analyst / Data Administrator / Biologist
Brian received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Graduate Certificate in GIS from Portland State University, and a Masters of Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College. In addition to supporting SPSSEG’s small yet effective team, Brian offers inter-agency GIS mapping support, database management, field data collection, monitoring, analysis, project development and management on a range of City, State, Tribal and Non-Profit projects. Brian is passionate about solving complex problems and utilizing advanced technology tools, while equally engaging in field work that increases environmental and community health.

 

Brian may be contacted at

 

Cole Baldino

Salmon Habitat Restoration Biologist, Project Manager

Growing up with the dream of saving salmonids, Cole received a degree in coldwater fisheries biology from SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry in Syracuse, NY. He’s worked throughout the east coast restoring eastern brook trout habitat. After a lifetime of chasing wild steelhead, Cole has made his way to WA to restore salmon populations as a project manager for SPSSEG. His passion for implementing large wood structures and removing barriers to fish passage fits with the organization mission and team. When not saving salmon and trout, Cole is chasing them with his fly rod. Along with angling, Cole is an avid rock climber, mountaineer, hunter, and gardener.

Cole may be contacted at

 

Kylie ODriscoll

Salmon Habitat Restoration Biologist, Project Manager

Kylie received her B.S. in wildlife science from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry in upstate New York. She worked in the restoration and wildlife fields all over the country before settling down in the PNW in 2020. She enjoys the complexity of habitat restoration and how there is always more to learn. Kylie is thrilled to be a part of the SPSSEG team, helping to rewild the rivers of the south Puget Sound. Outside of work, you can find her backpacking, foraging, skiing, climbing, and spending time with her dogs.

Kylie may be contacted at

Megan Brady

Education and Outreach Coordinator / Restoration Specialist

Megan is the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Coordinator and Salmon in the Schools Educator for SPSSEG. She earned a Master’s of Science in Fisheries Science degree from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Evergreen State College. She has experience with fish passage projects, salmonid ecological research, and habitat restoration. Her passion, though, is for multi-media communication and hands-on experiential learning to facilitate relationships between people and the natural world they share with fish, wildlife, and plants. Megan grew up in Gig Harbor, WA and is so proud to be part of the SPSSEG team working on environmental education and salmon habitat restoration in Mason, Thurston, and Pierce counties.

Megan may be contacted at

 

Harold Schmidt

Accounts Manager

Harold Started his career working in the Accounting Department for the A&P Tea Company in Montvale, NJ. After moving to the Pacific Northwest he has provided accounting services for a variety of organizations including retail stores, hotels, internet companies and non-profits. He has focused on providing back office accounting services for smaller organizations.

Harold & his wife Linda have a strong commitment to preserving the natural environment. They enjoy traveling though out Washington as well as up and down the West coast.  They both enjoy documenting the region through their photographs.

Harold may be contacted at