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Staff Directory
Tara was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee as the state's orca recovery coordinator in May 2021. Before that she worked in salmon recovery at RCO and led the Salmon Section. Before that, she worked on aquatic planning and science at the Washington Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources. Tara received her bachelor of science degree in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California at Berkeley and her master’s degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. She lived, taught, traveled, and worked overseas for several years, in Asia and Central and South America. Tara lives in Olympia with her partner and two daughters. She loves soccer, ultimate Frisbee, horseback riding, backpacking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Greer joined RCO in September 2023 as the science coordinator for the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. She has a breadth of experience working with federal, state, and local governments, tribes, and nonprofits on a wide range of conservation issues. She was a Knauss fellow in Washington D.C. in 2007 and worked as a fish biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Forest Service before spending ten years as the science manager for the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board and two years working for Triangle Associates as a technical facilitator on statewide issues related to hydropower, fisheries management, fish passage, ecosystem planning, and orca recovery. Greer has a bachelor of science degree in marine biology from the University of Miami and a master of science degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences from the University of Washington. She lives in Winthrop with her family and enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, and especially getting out on the rivers across the state.
Erik joined RCO in 2019 as the executive director of the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, which coordinates salmon and Southern Resident orca recovery for Washington. Erik has a background in conservation science in various capacities with governmental and non-governmental organizations. He previously served as science director and policy lead for salmon recovery with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and has represented the state on several national and international boards and commissions. He has a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University and a masters of science degree from the University of Washington. Erik loves the Pacific Northwest and enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, sailing, and playing music with friends and family.
Katie joined RCO in 2019 as a planning and policy specialist. In 2022, she moved to the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office to coordinate implementation of the Governor’s statewide salmon strategy, working closely with agencies, tribes, and regional salmon recovery organizations. Katie’s state government experience includes land-use policy leadership and legislative coordination for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She also has worked for local governments and land trusts. Katie has a master's degree in conservation planning from Cornell University and post-graduate studies in human psychology and organizational development. Katie was raised in Kitsap County and loves exploring outside with her friends and family whether it’s hiking, skiing, listening to music, or just relaxing.
Erin joined RCO in September 2022 and is the administrative assistant for the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office. She spent the past two years working as an administrative assistant in the wildlife program for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Before that, she completed a communications internship with the Department of Natural Resources after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in communications studies. In her free time, she likes to volunteer as a social media content creator at a farm sanctuary or spend time with her husband and dog.
Elizabeth joined RCO in 2024 as the habitat policy specialist for the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. Previously, she served as the policy lead for the Habitat Strategic Initiative at the Department of Natural Resources. Before that, she spent ten years as a public policy facilitator and project manager in the private sector, leading collaborative decision-making and stakeholder engagement processes addressing complex environment and natural resource issues across the across the western United States. Elizabeth attended the University of Oregon where she obtained her juris doctor degree in environment and natural resources law, a master of science degree in conflict and dispute resolution, and a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. In her free time, she enjoys wandering the mountains, coastlines, and bookstores of the Pacific Northwest with her family and friends.