Our Team

Kevin Keller - Executive Director

Kevin was born and raised in Novato, California. While growing up, he developed a love for Oregon, spending time with friends in Ashland, fishing and camping in the summer, and skiing in winter on Mt Ashland. Kevin began a 29-year career in the Army when he enlisted in 1986 and retired in 2015. Upon his retirement, he moved permanently to Roseburg, Oregon, where he and his wife completed building a house on property near Dixonville. He is passionate about the outdoors, especially the Umpqua River, and the conservation and restoration of our watershed. Besides fishing on the Umpqua, he enjoys spending time with his two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, horses, family, and friends.

You can contact Kevin at kevin@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext. 2

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Sandy Lyon - Assistant Monitoring Coordinator

Sandy Lyon has been an integral part of the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers (PUR) since November 2003. With over 20 years of experience in medical research and laboratory work, she holds a degree in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. After serving as the Monitoring Coordinator since 2003, Sandy transitioned to the role of Assistant Monitoring Coordinator in June 2024 as she begins to “ease” into retirement.

Sandy played a pivotal role in founding and developing the PUR monitoring program from the ground up, transforming it into the thriving initiative it is today. Her expertise in designing and implementing basin-wide water quality monitoring programs and studies has been invaluable in training our new Monitoring Coordinator. Sandy’s contributions make her an irreplaceable asset to our organization.

You can reach Sandy at sandy@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext. 5. 

Cris Salazar - Restoration Coordinator

Cris Salazar joined PUR as the Restoration Coordinator in June 2023. Raised in the Umpqua Valley, he graduated from UCC in 2011 and Oregon State University in 2014 with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science. Cris has worked on salmon recovery projects throughout Oregon, Washington, and Alaska for the past decade, including managing the habitat restoration program at the Calapooia Watershed Council for five years. He is excited to return to the Umpqua Basin and contribute to the health of the watershed. On weekends, he enjoys hiking, river snorkeling, rockhounding, and propagating native plants.

You can contact Cris at cris@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext. 3.

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Joe Carnes - Monitoring Coordinator/IT

In June 2024, Joe became the Monitoring Coordinator after 12 years of dedicated service as the Assistant Monitoring Coordinator for the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers (PUR). Joe began his journey with PUR in June 2012 as a part-time summer assistant to the Monitoring Coordinator. He worked part-time for approximately 1.5 years while attending college before transitioning to a full-time role in the summer of 2014.

Though initially hired as part-time help, Joe quickly established himself as an invaluable member of the PUR team. His educational background in Computer Information Systems complements his genuine passion and aptitude for environmental science and the outdoors. Joe has contributed to a wide range of activities at PUR, everything from IT support to restoration projects and all monitoring program responsibilities. In his free time, Joe enjoys camping, backpacking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.

You can reach Joe at joe@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext. 6.

Vacant - Fiscal Manager

541-673-5756, ext 1.

Patrick Quinn - Restoration Project Manager

Patrick, an avid outdoorsman who grew up fishing the Umpqua River, was hired full-time as a Watershed Technician in 2021. In 2023, he was promoted to Restoration Project Manager, where he is committed to improving the health of the Umpqua Basin and enhancing fishing opportunities.

You can contact Patrick at patrick@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext 4.

Julie Reed - Watershed Technician

Julie has lived in Douglas County for 35 years. Before becoming a team member for PUR in April 2023, she worked at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Biological Science Aide for five years. While at ODFW, Julie gained various experiences working with fish in and out of the field. She is very proficient at identifying native fish. Julie is passionate about protecting and improving Salmon and Steelhead populations that have been negatively impacted in the Umpqua Watershed. When she is not working, you can find Julie on the river fishing, hunting, and camping with her two children and two dogs.

You can contact Julie at Julie@umpquarivers.org or 541-673-5756, ext. 7.