I work within complex, interactive and transdisciplinary systems that impact communities and their well-being. I am responsive to emerging conflicts at the intersection of natural resources (land use, water scarcity), industry (energy, mining, data centers, agriculture), and communities (public opposition, limited community capacity, lack of benefits). Driven by the critical needs identified by decision makers and the public, I develop programs to address sustainability across systems.

Nevada faces a confluence of issues creating human conflicts around water, land, energy, and food. Nevada is the driest state in the nation where water rights allocations are about 1.5 times the perennial yield and agricultural irrigation accounts for over two-thirds of the state’s freshwater usage. Over 84% of Nevada lands are federally managed, hosting industries that do not pay into traditional tax generating mechanisms such as property taxes that fund local county operations. Lack of revenue, for essential services and infrastructure, reduces host Frontier and Remote (FAR) communities’ capacity and resiliency. This impact is greatest in counties with the highest percentages of federal lands, such as Lincoln (97.8%), Nye (97.2%), Esmeralda (97.1%) and White Pine (94.3%) counties. With an influx of solar energy and data center permit applications in Nevada, I work to find potential solutions (such as agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics) and tools (such as community benefit agreements) that address sustainability across our lands, communities, and industries. 

At the core of my work is a passion to develop people. I view social and community infrastructure as a “limiting factor” to their engagement with research and state-wide initiatives, including economic development, renewable energy project deployment, and natural resources conservation efforts. Urban demand is driving the increase for energy generation, data center development, mineral extraction, and food production. These industries are frequently sited in rural, frontier, and remote communities that rely on urban centers to deploy technical expertise and resources to help them increase their community infrastructure and services so that they have the capacity to host the industry’s workforce and business needs. This urban-rural-frontier-tribal connection demonstrates our interdependence.

I have created diverse programs across the lifespan, including industry development (agriculture, energy, mining, data centers); environmental conservation; natural resources management; community and economic development; business development; workforce development (adult and youth); mental health and crisis intervention services for children, families and schools; youth development; early childhood education; and public health.

I strive to inspire others to broaden their knowledge, skills and influence to increase their value at work, home and within the community.  Operating from the belief that synergy is at the core of all meaningful and sustainable community partnerships, I take pride in bringing diverse voices together, developing consensus and working strategically to achieve goals – and to make our little part of the world a better place.