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Wildlife Programs Staff Directory

Name Classification E-mail Address
Chief Eric Loft, Ph.D. Branch Chief Eric.Loft@wildlife.ca.gov
Kelly Barnes AGPA Kelly.Barnes@wildlife.ca.gov

Nongame Wildlife Program

The Nongame Program manages native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians on a statewide level. Nongame Program conservation actions focus on Threatened and Endangered species and Species of Special Concern, and include: planning and implementing species conservation and recovery, preparing and reviewing listing/delisting petitions and status reviews, developing conservation strategies, overseeing research contracts, and issuing scientific collecting permits and research MOUs, and developing regulations.

In general, questions or comments concerning the enforcement of state fish and wildlife regulations, such as the possession or sale of restricted species, should be referred to the appropriate Enforcement District or reported to CalTIP.

Questions or comments concerning local wildlife issues, such as nuisance wildlife or localized habitat destruction, should be referred to the appropriate Region’s Wildlife Management or Habitat Conservation Program.

Name Classification E-mail Address
Kent Smith Environmental Program Manager Kent.Smith@wildlife.ca.gov
Dan Applebee Staff Environmental Scientist,
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator		 Daniel.Applebee@wildlife.ca.gov
Carie Battistone Staff Environmental Scientist,
Statewide Coordinator for Raptor Conservation		 Carie.Battistone@wildlife.ca.gov
Betsy Bolster Staff Environmental Scientist, Retired Annuitant
Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern		 Betsy.Bolster@wildlife.ca.gov
Esther Burkett Staff Environmental Scientist,
Research MOUs & SCPs, Bird Species of Special Concern &
Threatened and Endangered Species (birds & mammals)		 Esther.Burkett@wildlife.ca.gov
Laura Patterson Staff Environmental Scientist,
Statewide Coordinator for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation		 Laura.Patterson@wildlife.ca.gov
Rhianna Lee Staff Environmental Scientist,
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator		 Rhianna.Lee@wildlife.ca.gov
Scott Osborn, Ph.D. Staff Environmental Scientist,
Statewide Coordinator for Small Mammal Conservation		 Scott.Osborn@wildlife.ca.gov
Chris Stermer Staff Environmental Scientist,
Resource Assessment		 Chris.Stermer@wildlife.ca.gov
Vacant Staff Environmental Scientist,
Statewide Coordinator for Bird Species Conservation		  
Kevin Cahill Scientific Aid, Program Support Kevin.Cahill@wildlife.ca.gov
Justin Garcia Scientific Aid, Program Support Justin.Garcia@wildlife.ca.gov
Madeleine Wieland Scientific Aid, Program Support Madeleine.Wieland@wildlife.ca.gov

Please refer to this website for general wildlife questions, or contact the appropriate regional office.


Game Species Conservation Programs

Name Classification E-mail Address
Craig Stowers Environmental Program Manager Craig.Stowers@wildlife.ca.gov
Deer Program
Vacant Senior Environmental Scientist  
Russell Mohr Environmental Scientist Russ.Mohr@wildlife.ca.gov
Mary Sommer Environmental Scientist Mary.Sommer@wildlife.ca.gov
David Casady Environmental Scientist David.Casady@wildlife.ca.gov
Victoria Barr Environmental Scientist,
SHARE & PLM Programs		 Victoria.Barr@wildlife.ca.gov
Black Bear, Wild Pig & Mountain Lion
Marc Kenyon Environmental Scientist Marc.Kenyon@wildlife.ca.gov
Elk & Pronghorn Antelope
Joe Hobbs Staff Environmental Scientist Joe.Hobbs@wildlife.ca.gov
Bighorn Sheep
Regina Abella Environmental Scientist Regina.Abella@wildlife.ca.gov
Upland Game Program
Levi Souza Environmental Scientist,
Band-tailed Pigeons, Trapping, Rabbits,
Squirrels, Furbearers, Non-game Mammals &
Licensed Game Bird Clubs		 Levi.Souza@wildlife.ca.gov
Karen Fothergill Staff Environmental Scientist
Doves & Game Bird Heritage Program 		Karen.Fothergill@wildlife.ca.gov
Scott Gardner Staff Environmental Scientist
Sage Grouse & Wild Turkey 		Scott.Gardner@wildlife.ca.gov
Matt Meshriy Environmental Scientist Matt.Meshriy@wildlife.ca.gov
Linda Sandoval Associate Analyst
Special Hunts & Administration		 Linda.Sandoval@wildlife.ca.gov
Waterfowl Program
Melanie Weaver Staff Environmental Scientist Melanie.Weaver@wildlife.ca.gov
GIS
Kristi Fien Research Program Specialist, GIS
GIS Data and Maps		 Kristi.Fien@wildlife.ca.gov

Wildlife Investigations Laboratory (WIL)

Name Classification E-mail Address
Steve Torres WIL Supervisor Steve.Torres@wildlife.ca.gov
Dr. Pamela Swift Senior Wildlife Veterinarian Pam.Swift@wildlife.ca.gov
Dr. Ben J. Gonzales Senior Wildlife Veterinarian Ben.Gonzales@wildlife.ca.gov
Dr. Calvin Chun Stat Analyst CChun@dfg.ca.gov
Dr. Deana Clifford Associate Wildlife Veterinarian Deana.Clifford@wildlife.ca.gov
Lora Konde Environmental Scientist Lora.Konde@wildlife.ca.gov
Tim Glenner Capture Specialist, Helicopter Safety TGlenner@dfg.ca.gov
Karen Jones Retired Annuitant Karen.Jones@wildlife.ca.gov
Stella McMillin Environmental Scientist, Toxicology Stella.McMillin@wildlife.ca.gov
Tina Moran Staff Services Analyst Tina.Moran@wildlife.ca.gov
Krysta Rogers Environmental Scientist, Avian Krysta.Rogers@wildlife.ca.gov
David Mollel Scientific Aid David.Mollel@wildlife.ca.gov
Jaime Rudd Scientific Aid Jaime.Rudd@wildlife.ca.gov
Tom Batter Scientific Aid Thomas.Batter@wildlife.ca.gov
Nicole Carion Staff Environmental Scientist,
Wildlife Rehabilitation/Exotic Species Permits		 NCarion@dfg.ca.gov

Lands Program

Name Classification E-mail Address
Kari Lewis Lands Program Manager Kari.Lewis@wildlife.ca.gov
Land Management and Resource Assessment Programs
Teresa Le Blanc Senior Environmental Scientist Teresa.LeBlanc@wildlife.ca.gov
Sharon Taylor Environmental Scientist,
Lands Inventory		 Sharon.Taylor@wildlife.ca.gov
Karen Converse Environmental Scientist,
Land Management Planning 		Karen.Converse@wildlife.ca.gov
Shawn Fresz Environmental Scientist,
Land Management Planning		 Shawn.Fresz@wildlife.ca.gov
Wildlife Areas and Wildlife Restoration Programs
Brad Burkholder Staff Environmental Scientist Brad.Burkholder@wildlife.ca.gov
Comprehensive Wetland Habitat Program
Heidi West Staff Environmental Scientist Heidi.West@wildlife.ca.gov
John Thomson Environmental Scientist John.Thomson@wildlife.ca.gov
Integrated Pest Management
Joel Trumbo Staff Environmental Scientist Joel.Trumbo@wildlife.ca.gov
Daydre Roser Scientifc Aide Daydre.Roser@wildlife.ca.gov
Minh Le Scientifc Aide Minh.Le@wildlife.ca.gov
Ecological Reserves and Land Acquisition Programs
Julie Horenstein Staff Environmental Scientist Julie.Horenstein@wildlife.ca.gov
Web Applications
Akan Etiebet Contract Analyst
Branch Web Applications and Design		 Akaninyene.Etiebet@wildlife.ca.gov
Geographic Information Systems
Lisa Ohara Research Analyst II, GIS
GIS Data and Maps		 Lisa.Ohara@wildlife.ca.gov