Stewards has an active 8-15 member Board of Directors comprised of long-time volunteers, community members, local business professionals and leaders in the field of environmental education and restoration. All share a love of nature and a commitment to the preservation of the area's natural resources.

Board members are recruited on an ongoing basis for their expertise in pre-determined areas of expertise needed to provide for the strategic planning goals of the organization.

Stewards' governing documents and conflict of interest policy are available upon request. Email mluna@mcn.org

Personal Profiles

Lisa Bacon: Lisa was appointed to the Board in 2006. A PADI Divemaster, she joined Stewards in 2004 as a Tidepool Education Program volunteer to share her love of the ocean with others, especially school children. Lisa found her bliss and graduated to Program Coordinator in 2006. She is a business development and marketing consultant with clients from recording studios to realtors. Lisa helps write and edit Stewards' marketing collateral, newsletters and website content.
Committees: Marketing and Outreach Committee (Chairperson)
Volunteer work: Tidepool Education Program Coordinator, Special Events

Bill Bambrick: After a career developing and implementing computer applications for manufacturers, Bill moved from Silicon Valley to Sonoma County in 2001.  He happily exchanged the “cubicle hell” of modern office life for the sylvan beauty of our county's open spaces.  Bill is very active in many of the programs Stewards supports including the Armstrong trail crew, Willow Creek watershed program, Tidepool program, Armstrong Tour program, Environmental Living program, Seal Watch and Whale Watch. Bill was instrumental in starting the Sonoma Coast trail crew and acts in the capacity of coordinator, by far his favorite volunteer activity. He is currently serving as Board President.
Committees: Executive Committee (President)
Volunteer work: Sonoma Coast trail crew Coordinator, Armstrong trail crew, Willow Creek watershed programs, Citizen Action Team Coordinator, Tidepool program, Armstrong Tour program, Environmental Living program, Seal Watch, Whale Watch, Special Events

Bob Caricato: Bob was appointed to the Board in 2006 and has been the Seal Watch Coordinator since 2005. He is an architect by profession and is a semi-retired adjunct faculty member at Santa Rosa Junior College. Besides Seal Watch, he participates in Whale Watch and assists with Special Events. Bob's favorite activity is working on the Sonoma Coast Trail Crew whenever possible. Bob serves as Board Treasurer.
Committees: Executive Committee (Treasurer), Finance and Fund Development Committee
Volunteer work: Trail Crew, Seal Watch, Whale Watch, Special Events

Jan De Wald: Jan was appointed to the Board in 2009. She has many years' experience managing non-profit organizations in Sonoma County and being an advocate for the under served citizens of Sonoma County. Jan currently sits on the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women and is the board chairperson for Community Housing Opportunities West (CHOW). Jan is dedicated to keeping Sonoma County State Parks open and accessible to the public.
Committees: Marketing and Outreach Committee
Volunteer work: Special Events

Frederika Haskell: Frederika was appointed to the Board in 2005. Her interest is in Stewards' educational programs and public access to our parks. As a Staffing and Organizational Consultant, she works with managers and Human Resources departments in small organizations to help them with staffing and recruiting. Frederika has a Master's degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco and has experience in grassroots fundraising with a number of other non-profit organizations.
Committees:  Finance and Fund Development Committee
Volunteer work: Special Events         

Rich Lawton: Rich joined the Stewards Board upon retiring as Supervising State Park Ranger: Sonoma Coast State Park in 2005. He spent 30 years working for State Parks, with the last 17 in the Russian River District.  He has a BS and MS in Criminology: Law Enforcement from Cal State University Fresno.  Rich also serves as Treasurer of the North Bay Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Rich’s special concerns include training, education, public awareness, interpretation and trail work (especially mapping and signage).
Committees: Executive Committee (Vice-President)
Volunteer work:  Special Events, Volunteer Training, Trail Crew

Kathie Lowrey: Kathie joined Stewards in 1987 and served as President from 1992-1995. She returned to the Board after a 7-year hiatus. Kathie is currently the Principal/Senior Environmental Planner at Prunuske Chatham, Inc., a local ecological planning, design, and restoration firm and has expertise in the areas of watershed planning, regulatory compliance, CEQA, editing and grant writing. She was the project manager for preparation of the Willow Creek Watershed Management Plan (PCI 2005) and is currently serving as Project Principal for plan implementation that involves design and environmental compliance for a bridge replacement to restore anadromous fish passage. Kathie serves as Secretary of Stewards' Board.
Committees: Executive Committee (Secretary)
Volunteer work: Special Events

Mike Von Der Porten: Mike and his wife, Elaine, have been active volunteers for Stewards since 2008. He is a Cost Accounting Manager for Jackson Family Enterprises. Mike brings tremendous leadership skills to Stewards having served the boards of:  American Red Cross - Sonoma and San Joaquin Counties, Health Plan of the Redwoods, and the Center for Well Being. He has an AS and BS in Engineering and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Mike enjoys event planning and giving presentations.  
Committees: Finance and Fund Development
Volunteer work: Special Events