Wendy Whitson Board President
Wendy and her husband John have been part-time residents of Mt. Shasta for many years and were over-joyed to finally join the community permanently in March 2020. With 30 years of experience as a real estate attorney and a passion for the natural landscapes of Siskiyou County, Wendy sees the SLT Board as the perfect place to invest her considerable energy. She also brings with her a decade of major non-profit Board leadership experience and a deep commitment to community engagement. Wendy feels incredibly lucky to get to enjoy the beauty of this precious place AND be a part of preserving its glory forever! Read more about Wendy…
Stuart Somach Vice President
Stuart Somach joined the SLT Board in early 2023. Mr. Somach’s career in water law has spanned over four decades, encompasses the entire Western United States, and has earned him a national reputation as one of the most respected practicing water law attorneys in the West. Mr. Somach developed expertise in water law in law school and with tenures at the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior. Read more about Stuart…
John Whitson Treasurer
John has long been interested in environmental issues and is excited to contribute his financial skills and knowledge to the Siskiyou Land Trust, helping SLT continue to achieve its mission of preserving key wildlands, watersheds, and open spaces throughout Siskiyou County. Read more about John…
Gareth Plank Secretary
Gareth owns and operates Scott River Ranch near Etna, six square miles of verdant, lush pasture where Gareth and Millie Plank raise grass-fed, holistically managed cattle. The working ranch is also one of SLT’s conservation easements in Scott Valley. Read more about Gareth…
Ann Womack
Ann Womack joined the SLT Board in early 2023. Ann is a professor of Biology at the College of the Siskiyous and holds a BS in Microbiology and a PHD in Biology. She has worked and taught in the areas of biological diversity and soil microbiology and has a passion for the outdoors and preserving our precious natural landscapes. Read more about Ann…
Bruce Berlinger
Bruce joined the Board in July of 2021. As COO and principal partner in McCloud Partners, LLC., owners of the former McCloud Lumber Mill property, Bruce brings extensive experience to the Siskiyou Land Trust board. Read more about Bruce…
Dorinda Thompson
Dorinda moved to Gazelle with her husband after retiring from a career in teaching. She lives on a small ranch on Willow Creek with a number of horses and has a deep interest in land conservation. Dorinda joined the Land Trust board in 2018 after volunteering for other community organizations. She is an enthusiastic participant in many SLT events and activities. Read more about Dorinda…
Shaun Walton
Shaun Walton joined the SLT Board in January 2024. He is a financial advisor, passionate about trading, market dynamics, investing and financial planning. Prior to his career in finance and moving to Siskiyou County, Shaun worked as a private safari guide for the world renowned Mala Mala reserve in South Africa.
Aaron “Troy” Hockaday
Troy joined the Board in 2024. A native of Happy Camp, he began with the U.S. Forest Service, moved into firefighting, and later spent 25 years in catering. Since 2020, Troy has been a key member of the Karuk Tribal Council. His wide-ranging expertise and commitment to community service make him an invaluable member of the Land Trust Board. Read more about Troy…
Greg Francois
Greg’s journey from New England and New York City to Siskiyou County reflects his deep passion for the outdoors and sustainable development. With a diverse background in wildlife biology, education, and communications, he’s excited to contribute to the Siskiyou Land Trust Board. Read more about Greg…
John Vona
John, a seasoned California registered professional forester with over 30 years of experience, is thrilled to join the Siskiyou Land Trust Board. His extensive background in forestry, conservation projects, and resource management will greatly benefit the organization. Read more about John…
