EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Devin's family has lived along the lower McKenzie since the 1930s, and he grew up fishing and exploring the upper river. Devin worked in local wood products industry management for over 30 years in both wood product certifications and research and development. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard on both the east and west coast as a coxswain operating a 44-foot motor lifeboat and as a small arms officer.

Devin served on the board of the Northwest Youth Corps for five years, is a committed volunteer for other local nonprofits and enjoys fly fishing, backpacking, cycling and time on the coast with his wife and their dog, Journey.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Nelda is a Texan by birth, but an Oregonian by choice. Hurricane Ike hit her small island community of Galveston, Texas in 2008. The storm surge devastated her home and business and forever changed the landscape of the city. It took many years to recover and she relied on many generous and knowledgeable people for help and guidance. She’s now paying it forward and strives to help others navigate the difficult process of rebuilding and recovering. Nelda believes the best is yet to come for the McKenzie Valley.

In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends and exploring the unmatched beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Matt joins the MVLTRG after a year of close collaboration while serving at United Way of Lane County with the RARE AmeriCorps program (2021-22). During his service at United Way, Matt assisted the MVLTRG with internal coordination and conducted a Needs Assessment. He is excited to continue what he helped build during his service and further support the LTRG’s growth.

Prior to joining RARE and the MVLTRG, Matt has worked on environmental policy and governance in international contexts. He enjoys supporting collaboration between organizations to achieve shared environmental development goals.

Matt is originally from Buffalo, NY and received his B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY Brockport. He also holds an M.A. in Global Environmental Policy from American University. Matt can enjoy Oregon’s natural wonders out on the trail, whether it’s hiking, running, or biking in his free time.

RECOVERY RESOURCE NAVIGATOR

Mary Ellen is a 4th generation proud resident of the McKenzie River Valley, where family members still live on their original property. As the co-founder and President of “McKenzie Locals Helping Locals,” Mary Ellen has been on the ground helping her community with recovery efforts since the first days after the Holiday Farm Fire.

Engaging with locals, assessing their needs, advocating on their behalf, and working with County and State officials to help her community has been her call to action. She recognizes these efforts have helped her community come back stronger than ever.

In her free time, Mary Ellen spends time with family and friends, organizes community events, and enjoys all the beautiful McKenzie river has to offer.

RECOVERY RESOURCE NAVIGATOR

Shelly Pruitt is a long-time resident of the McKenzie Valley. So the choice to stay on the McKenzie River was an easy choice for her. Shelly grew up in the small town of Ridgecrest, California, in the Mojave Desert at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center. She moved to Vida, Oregon, in 1984 to attend the University of Oregon and married a river guide and outfitter. Forty-two years later, she is still living on the same 42-acre tree farm and working on recovering from the Holiday Farm Fire.

Shelly is interested in local history and has co-authored two books on the subject. She recently retired from her 20- year career coordinating retail and residential food service for the University of Oregon. She has put her small business, Soft Peaks Bakery, on hiatus to take the opportunity to help others recover from the Holiday Farm Fire through the McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group.

She enjoys gardening, landscaping, baking, and tending to her property in her free time. In addition, she finds friends and family a great source of pleasure.

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, MCKENZIE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST / RARE AMERICORPS MEMBER

Braden grew up in rural Arizona and moved to Oregon to attend the University of Oregon, where he recently graduated with his degree in Planning, Public Policy and Management. A lifelong love for the environment has led him to launch a career exploring how humans can adapt to a changing climate and world. He joined the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program to further explore those interests and help rural communities in his new home state. RARE is an 11-month service program run by the University of Oregon. His career interests and education give him a background in climate mitigation & adaptation, as well as affordable housing.

In his free time, Braden likes to spend time outside, hiking and camping, as well as playing basketball and cheering on the Ducks.