Dave Steindorf has been an active river advocate in California since 1997. As a Stewardship Director for American Whitewater, Dave has gained a reputation as a consensus builder. He has been able to gain the respect of Agencies, NGO'’s, and Utilities while successfully achieving the goals of his constituents. As the primary negotiator for American Whitewater in California, Dave has negotiated improved flows on more than twenty hydroelectric projects in California. These agreements have restored rivers, while providing reliable power to the grid and protecting water supply. Additionally, Dave was the Chair of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition from 2007 to 2021.  This coalition, which includes state and national NGOs, work on relicensing and energy policy that helps to make hydropower green. With a background in Economics, Dave has been keenly interested in the changing energy landscape. In 2017 Dave was invited to testify before the House of Representative’s Energy and Commerce Committee  to educate members on the role of hydropower in energy markets and how to optimize power generation in a way that has the least impact on rivers.

Kelly Catlett
Hydropower Reform Program Director - American Rivers
National Co-Chair of the Hydropower Reform Coalition
Kelly works on reforming laws and policies around hydropower to improve the health of rivers nationwide. She works closely with the government relations department to analyze and respond to hydropower-related legislation and advises American Rivers staff and other stakeholders on how to engage effectively in the hydropower licensing process. Kelly has worked as the Hydropower Reform Policy Advocate for Friends of the River where she is proud to have campaigned for Klamath dam removal alongside the tribes of the Klamath Basin.

Kevin Mendik, Environmental Protection Specialist - National Park Service Northeast Region
Kevin has worked in the area of hydropower, environmental compliance, and permitting since 1990. In his prior role as the Conservation Administrator for the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, his primary responsibility involved compliance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. He holds a Law Degree and a Master’s Degree from Vermont Law School and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.