LWG Board of Directors: The LWG Board generally meets quarterly to guide the organization, discuss issues, develop workplans, and manage finances. Board members are elected by current members at an annual meeting and serve three-year terms. The LWG’s Bylaws call for a minimum of 5 Board members, with balanced representation of conservation, agricultural/ranch, and at-large community interests. Board members must reside in the state of Montana and at least half of the officers must be residents of the Lolo Creek Watershed or the Lolo community.
Travis Ross, Board President
Travis Ross joined the LWG board in 2017 and for the last 15 years has worked with the Missoula Valley Water Quality District an Environmental Health Specialist. Prior to that he worked in environmental monitoring and education in Birmingham, AL. He studied Biology, Environmental Science and Geography at Samford University. His interest include canoeing, skiing, camping, biking and spending time with family. travis59801@gmail.com
Marlee Ostheimer, Secretary
Marlee lives in Lolo and has been working with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) as a grantwriter / fundraiser for the past six and a half years. Before that, she attended the University of Montana, receiving a degree in Environmental Studies while also studying Natural Resource Conservation and nonprofit administration.
Tana Doyle, Treasurer
Tana Doyle was born in Shelby, Montana and raised in Missoula. Tana attended the University of Montana and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in accounting. She went on to obtain her Certified Public Accountant license and has worked in public accounting since 1996. In 2008, Tana moved to a small farm near Lolo Creek and discovered the Lolo Watershed Group. After being inspired by their conservation efforts, she decided to join the Board of Directors in 2017.
Deana Dewire, Board Member
Deana has a broad background in environmental research- from graduate work at the University of Montana to working at the Flathead Biological Station and more. She was formerly the president of the Watershed Education Network and for the past ten years, has worked for Lolo National Forest as a hydrologic technician in the watershed program. She lives in Missoula with her husband and (“the cutest”) baby boy.
Darla Cotton, Board Member
Darla joined the LWG Board as an interested landowner living in the beautiful Lolo Creek Watershed and as a resident of the Bitterroot Valley for the past three decades. Being a Missoula native and working for a national conservation nonprofit has helped embed a conservation focus and shapes her desire to help steward and protect this great resource from pressures of increasing development and usage within the Watershed.
Ron Pierce, Board Member
Ron Pierce is an FWP retired fisheries biologist who worked the Blackfoot River restoration program for 30 years. Ron joined LWG in 2021 to offer his skillset to the Lolo watershed – his home watershed. His skillset includes aquatic habitat restoration, fish population investigations, and riparian land management. Ron is also a member of the Missoula Conservation Roundtable, sits on the FWP Future Fisheries Committee, and holds AFS Certified Fisheries Professional Emeritus status. Ron likes everything outdoors, especially fly fishing and his dogs!