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RMS Team

Executive Director

Risa Shimoda
executivedirector(at)river-management.org
Risa Shimoda supports the RMS program staff and board with a background in design engineering, consumer products marketing and non-profit leadership.   She received a BS in Engineering / Product Design from Stanford University and trained as a consumer products marketer at Procter & Gamble, M&M/Mars and Coca-Cola USA before directing marketing, sales and product development for kayaks and paddlesports accessories at Perception, the world’s largest kayak manufacturer. As Executive Director of American Whitewater (AW), she and her team represented river users in the relicensing of hydropower projects and pursued the right of public access on precedent-setting cases. She pioneered corporate support for AW and developed its first event-based business model for the largest river-based annual fundraising event in the United States. An avid whitewater paddler, Risa co-founded the Outdoor Alliance and has served on the boards of the Conservation Alliance, North American Paddlesports Association, American Whitewater and Nantahala Outdoor Center

Training Coordinator

Angie Fuhrmann
training(at)river-management.org
Angie Braley brings a diverse background including working as a river guide for a number of years and developing and teaching 26 undergraduate anthropology courses entirely remotely using a variety of digital platforms. She has conducted graduate research along the headwaters of the Amazon River in Peru, coordinated ecological knowledge workshops in Guatemala and guided kayak trips in Baja California, Mexico. In addition to guiding raft trips on the Rogue River, she was the assistant Latin American Operations Manager and White Water Rafting Guide for ROW Adventures for five years. Most recently, Angie was the Youth Education Programs Coordinator for the Siskiyou Field Institute. Angie holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s Degree from Colorado State University in Collaborative Conservation and Anthropology.

National Rivers Project Coordinator

James Major

james(at)river-management.org
James Major is leading the development of RMS' National River Recreation Database, a blossoming compilation of geospatial information for rivers across the U.S.  He's also managing how the data supports the way viewers can begin planning a river trip on our National Rivers Project website by searching for a river by state, river name, put in or managing agency. James holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Oregon as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Northern Arizona University. He is one of 25 students who have completed the RMS River Studies and Leadership Certificate (RSLC) since 2014 and has already experienced working with RMS through this program. His technical experience includes geographic information systems (GIS), Structure from Motion modeling and geospatial coding, and he is well-versed in Wild and Scenic Rivers history and policies. 

Communications & Membership Coordinator

Bekah Price

bekah(at)river-management.org
Bekah Price loves rivers and is grateful to be able to support the brilliantly resourceful people that manage them by leading RMS outreach, membership development and member services. She oversees the RMS website, outreach materials, social media, and partner and media relations. Her background is in public relations, communication and raft guiding. She's experienced in community outreach, membership development, copyediting, web content development, print and social media, and branding. Before working with the River Management Society, she developed the public relations program for a school system and previously worked as a newspaper reporter. She is a passionate leader and organizer and feels privileged to have led and served teams on the river, as a jiu-jitsu instructor, in civic clubs and community events, and as a Master Gardener.

 RMS Journal Editor

Caroline Kurz

caroline(at)river-management.org
Caroline Kurz joined the river community in 1985 when she began working as a paddle raft guide during her college years at UC Berkeley. From there, she attended the University of Idaho for graduate school (1989-1991), fulfilling a BLM internship and developing a master's project with outfitters and guides on the Lower Salmon River. Incredible adventures with wonderful people on the Bio Bio, Colorado, Copper and Tatshenshini are highlights from her river days. "While I sometimes wonder what a government career might have been like (especially the "retirement" part!), I don't regret working more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector for River Management Society (Program Director 1993-2010; Journal Editor 1993-present) and Garden City Ballet (2012-present). My husband Mike and I are raising three daughters in Missoula, Montana, where rivers play a huge role in our community."

Wild and Scenic Rivers Projects

daniel_haas(at)fws.gov

For many years, professional colleagues have supported RMS initiatives with resoundingly amazing enthusiasm and commitment. One of these is Dan Haas, who is the webmaster for rivers.gov, the primary resource for information about the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the System, and authoritative guidance documents. If you'd like to provide feedback about the site, Dan would welcome your input!

Water Quality Data Analysis Intern

Sierra Weirens

sierra_weirens(at)partner.nps.gov

From the shores of Scotland to the canyons of Colorado, Sierra Weirens is passionate about making an impact on all things geoscience, water quality, and data visualization. This past year, she has worked with the National Park Service Water Resources Division with the Water Quality Program and begins her graduate program in the Department of Geological Sciences at University of Colorado Boulder in the fall semester of 2024, researching groundwater connection between glaciers and streams under a warming climate.

At the River Management Society, she analyzes data collected by citizen scientists to address existing data gaps and update water quality status of rivers across the national Wild and Scenic River system. Her love for hydrology began in her home state of Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she led the restoration of a community bioswale. Sierra graduated from Smith College with a degree in environmental geoscience, and enjoys hiking, cross country skiing, and kayaking. 

 Water Quality Data Analysis Intern

Paige Orals

paige_orals(at)partner.nps.gov

Paige Orals spent the past year at the National Park Service - Water Resources Division researching instream flow protections on Wild and Scenic Rivers as a Scientists in Parks program fellow. She is excited to learn more about Wild and Scenic Rivers with a water quality perspective while analyzing citizen science data collected on these rivers. She has a BS in Environmental Science from Oregon State University and researched aquatic invertebrates in local streams during her time there. Outside of work Paige enjoys hiking, making ceramics, and exploring new coffee shops. She is happy to be back in the Midwest and looks forward to exploring the beautiful Great Lakes.