Stakeholder Committee Biographies

Paul Beire photo

Paul Beier

Paul Beier will represent the Board of the Friends of the Rio de Flag on this Committee. He knows and loves Flagstaff's landscape as an avid hiker, bird-watcher, runner, and parent who raised 3 daughters here. He is open-minded and thoughtful and will seek actions that benefit the most people over the long term. After 35 years as a conservation biologist, scientific author, reviewer, and editor, he is strongly committed to peer review, use of science, respectful exchange of ideas, working on deadline, and respect for diverse values.

     
Megan Burke photo

Megan Burke

"The utilization of reclaimed water provides our city with opportunities to help meet the growing demand for water and also to enhance the environmental, recreational, and economic resources that our community values." As a resident of Flagstaff and a graduate from Northern Arizona University’s Environmental Sciences program, Megan Burke plans to use her education and experience to examine these opportunities and to make recommendations that reflect the values and goals of our amazing community.

     
Max Evans photo

Max Evans

Max Evans recently started a career as a hydrogeologist. He graduated from Northern Arizona University this year with a degree in Geology. Ha has since started working as a research technician with Grand Canyon National Park and NAU. He enjoys being outdoors, exploring hidden gems around Arizona, mountain biking, and caving. He loves Flagstaff and the community he has here, and is excited to give back through this project.

     
Emilee Jung photo

Emilee Jung

Emilee Jung, B.S., M.A., has lived in Flagstaff for 3 years and currently works in research and evaluation at North Country HealthCare. As an individual community member, Emilee will not be representing an organization on the committee. Emilee initiated interest in becoming a member of the Community Stakeholder Committee because, as an avid environmentalist who has adopted individual-level behavior change, she saw this committee as an opportunity to impact change and decision making at a broader, community level.

     
Shelley Kelch photo

Shelley Kelch

Shelley Kelch is the library media specialist at Flagstaff High School. Prior to being a librarian at both middle and high school levels, she taught Math and Science. She is a native of Flagstaff and therefore is representing the community by serving on this committee."Water is a precious resource, especially in our mountain desert. Water needs to be managed safely and wisely, in order to protect our resource , our community, and our future generations."

     
Michelle Lee photo

Michele Lee

Michele Lee is originally from Chicago and moved to Flagstaff about three years ago. Currently, she works as a research associate at NAU and is also a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Health program at NAU. She was interested in joining this committee because she knows how impactful community voices are in providing input on important topics like reclaimed water and how to manage water in the future.

     
Rod Parnell photo

Rod Parnell

Rod Parnell is Senior Research Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment and Professor Emeritus at NAU.  His career has focused on processes providing safe drinking water, as a geochemist/environmental scientist and member of Flagstaff’s Water Commission and Compounds of Emerging Concern Advisory Council.  He’s worked on sustainable resource use as the NAU Coordinator of Academic Sustainability Programs, and with the Environmental Caucus, a group of NAU and community participants committed to improving local sustainability practices.

     
Thomas Smith photo

Thomas Smith

Tom Smith was raised in Flagstaff, graduated from Coconino High School and NAU, and is now raising his family here. He is a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Arizona and a founding principal of Peak Engineering.  Over the past 20 years, he has helped design the City’s reclaimed water infrastructure and now looks forward to collaborating with the committee to aid in setting direction for future reclaimed water reuse.

     
JShannonPic

Joe Shannon

"Volunteering on this committee is especially important since we are now in extreme drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.  All water sources are vital, now even more so."  Joe Shannon's background includes working on the ecology of the Colorado River basin for many years and more recently wildfire impacts on Arizona streams. He recently retired from the NAU Biology Department and will be representing Sierra Club.

     
Nina Schmidt photo

Nina Schmidt

Nina Schmidt, a Sustainability Specialist with the Coconino County Sustainable Building Program, will be representing Coconino County on the committee. She holds Environmental Science and Sustainable Communities degrees from NAU and has years of experience as an analytical chemist, wastewater system designer and in sustainability. She is looking forward to learning more about the City’s water supply and contributing to the decisions shaping how our community allocates this increasingly limited resource.    

     
Paul Turner

Paul Turner

Paul Turner moved to Flagstaff in 1975 to attend NAU, and graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering. In 1986, We incorporated Turner Engineering, Inc. a Certified Veteran Owned Small Business, and are celebrating our 34th year in business. He has sat on many Boards, Commissions and Committee’s over the years that have shaped Flagstaff's vision. He is looking forward to participating and contributing to the Community Stakeholder Committee on Reclaimed Water. When not doing engineering or volunteering, fly fishing and camping with his family take the lead role in activities. Give him a camp site by the river and a fly rod, and he is one happy and content fellow.  

     
Weissman Bio Photo

Marilyn Weissman

Marilyn Weissman moved to Flagstaff in 1992 and recently retired from my small land surveying business. She has been active in growth and development issues in Flagstaff since she became involved with Friends of Flagstaff’s Future in the 1990’s. She currently serves, for the second time, on the Board of Directors. She has attended numerous public and City Council meetings advocating for a sustainable use of land and resources. She looks forward to learning how we can use our reclaimed water to conserve our existing water supply.

     
Rob Vane photo

Rob Vane

Robert Vane is pleased to serve on the Stakeholder Committee as a representative of the Flagstaff Water Group. The Group has studied and commented on City water supply, quality, rate, and conservation issues for nearly 10 years. Robert’s background includes technical (chemistry and engineering) and business (MBA) training. He has enjoyed a working career with both large and small companies and has done a variety of volunteer work in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.