Contact a Grants Manager

DeAnn Beck

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8145

deann.beck@rco.wa.gov

DeAnn joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Section. She has more than 27 years of land acquisition and grants management experience gained from two natural resources agencies: the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. A native Washingtonian, DeAnn loves photography and live music and is an enthusiastic animal lover, and often spends her free time volunteering with a local Bloodhound Search and Rescue Team. DeAnn enjoys the great outdoors, particularly Washington’s deep forests and coastline as well as the Columbia River Gorge and the San Juan Islands.

Michelle Burbidge

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8328

michelle.burbidge@rco.wa.gov

Michelle Burbidge is an outdoor grants manager. She joined RCO in April 2020, coming from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she managed statewide land acquisitions. Previously, she worked for the Washington Department of Natural Resources managing state trust land transactions. Michelle has a long history of working in the real estate industry, specifically focused on land transactions. These experiences have allowed her to work with local governments, conservation organizations, timber companies, and private landowners. Michelle was program director for the Washington Tree Farm System, working with small forestland owners to help them maintain certification under that program. She has a bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College. Michelle is a Washington native, but has traveled and worked in Alaska, California, Maryland, and North Dakota. She has three grown kids and enjoys archery, painting, playing guitar, cycling, and backpacking.

Brian Carpenter

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8523

brian.carpenter@rco.wa.gov

Brian joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. A Washington native, Brian has lived and adventured throughout the state. With his background in trails and park development, he serves Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Ferry Counties; and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Before joining the RCO team, he worked in camp management, government contract administration, and as an Adopt-A-Trail coordinator. Brian completed his bachelor’s degree in recreation and associate’s degree in computer programming. Eagerly pursuing new opportunities for learning and exploration, Brian often can be found in museums or on other adventures.

Allison Dellwo

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8626

allison.dellwo@rco.wa.gov

Allison joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. Allison was born and raised in Washington and considers both Spokane and Olympia her hometowns. She is a graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and has her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado. Before joining the RCO team, Allison spent 10 years in Colorado working at various nonprofit organizations, most recently at the Colorado Rural Health Center running a grant program through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In her spare time, she loves traveling, volunteering, concert-going, and spending time with friends and family.

Alison Greene

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-522-3698

alison.greene@rco.wa.gov

Alison has been with RCO since 2015 and is an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. She earned her bachelor of arts and master of science degrees from Washington State University (Go Cougs!) and has experience working for land trusts and local government, providing a well-rounded background in conservation, farmland, acquisitions, parks and recreation, planning, and grant management. She services most of Eastern Washington, and enjoys exploring our beautiful state with her husband and three kids. Alison reports for duty in Colton, Washington allowing her to serve Eastern Washington well.

Dan Haws

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-280-7079

dan.haws@rco.wa.gov

Dan joined RCO in 2004 as an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grant Section. He works with the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, and Snohomish County, focusing mainly on trail grants. Dan’s experience includes 7 years with the states of Utah and Idaho as a park ranger. He earned a bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree from Utah State University as well as a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He was raised in eastern Washington and enjoys the outdoors.

Karl Jacobs

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8641

karl.jacobs@rco.wa.gov

Karl joined RCO in 2009 and is a senior outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grant Section. He manages a portfolio of grants and assists with policy and procedure development. Before coming to RCO, Karl negotiated commercial real estate leases for the then-Washington State Department of General Administration, and worked on a variety of real estate transactions for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University and a master degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Karl grew up in western Washington and enjoys music, softball, hiking, and camping with his family.

Kim Sellers

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-228-6466

kim.sellers@rco.wa.gov

Kim is an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section specializing in programs related to conservation and farmland and forestland preservation. Before joining RCO in 2007, she worked at the Washington Department of Natural Resources in forest practices, habitat conservation planning, and timber sales. She came to Washington State after more than a dozen years working seasonal wildlife and conservation jobs with state and federal agencies across the United States. She studied wildlife biology at Colorado State University and has a master’s degree from The Evergreen State College.

Beth Auerbach

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-280-6103

beth.auerbach@rco.wa.gov

Beth is an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. She has a bachelor's degree in conservation biology and a minor in environmental education from Prescott College in Arizona and a master's in land planning and design from the Conway School in Massachusetts. Some of her past work has been as a small business owner, environmental consultant, land use planner, landscape designer, volunteer coordinator, wildlife rehabilitator, farmer, horse trainer, and rock climbing instructor. Beth and her family enjoy spending time outside and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Jesse Sims

Outdoor Grants Manager

360-867-8438

jesse.sims@rco.wa.gov

Jesse started with RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. He assists RCO’s partners and grant recipients with proposal development and project management. Jesse came to RCO with 18 years of natural resources management experience from two different agencies: Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. Jesse holds a bachelor of science degree in outdoor recreation management from Central Washington University. In his spare time, Jesse enjoys spending time with his family hiking, fishing, camping, and playing some acoustic guitar!