EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
MEET OUR TEAM!
Gregory (Greg) Shedd, Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I previously worked at a much smaller consulting firm in Wyoming. When they closed shop, I knew that I wanted to continue my career in smaller, employee-focused private consulting and that I wanted to stay in Wyoming. Grouse Mountain gave me that opportunity while also providing room for personal and professional growth and the chance to expand my knowledge base working in a multidisciplinary environment.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I am a Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager. My primary duties involve managing client projects and helping guide them through the regulatory process. I also get to utilize my field experience conducting wildlife surveys, rare plant surveys, and wetland delineations.
What made you choose this career path?
Since childhood, I have had a passion for wildlife and the outdoors and excelled in science and biology. As a teenager, I did not know a career existed that could combine all my interests and abilities. I was fortunate to have a biology teacher who recognized something in me and introduced me to the college I ultimately attended and earned my Environmental Science/Wildlife Biology degree.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
Being part of a multidisciplinary team working towards a common goal. Many of our projects involve multiple types of regulations and permits, and I really enjoy being part of a team of specialists building a final deliverable that covers all our client’s needs.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
I’ve had many great and fun experiences with Grouse Mountain. My love of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West started with a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks when I was ten years old. We recently had the opportunity to work in Grand Teton, conducting rare plant surveys and wetland delineations. I found the experience both personally and professionally gratifying, like coming full circle to what started me on this life path.
What do you enjoy about Wyoming?
I prefer to be outdoors as much as possible, so I love Wyoming’s wide-open spaces and abundant public lands to explore.
What are some of your hobbies?
Fishing, hunting, goat packing, hiking, camping, and spending time in the backcountry. At home, I like to tie flies, knit, garden, and cook.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I’ve been a goat packer for over 15 years and currently have four pack goats named Spock, Sulu, Teal’c, and Bra’tac that I bottle-raised and trained myself. I have two feral cats named Uhtred Ragnar’s Son and Ragnar Ragnar’s Son that I trapped out of my haystack, tamed, and turned into lap cats. I recently started raising coturnix quail for eggs.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I love what I do. I believe that private consulting is an integral part of resource management. I provide unbiased, third-party information and get to be a liaison between my clients, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. I get to protect the wildlife and habitat resources I love by helping my clients navigate what are often complex regulatory processes to ensure that other important land and resource uses can move forward in a sustainable way.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
We are a small company with large company capabilities. By maintaining a core group of professionals across our departments, we work closely together, building relationships that result in a level of efficiency and quality that can only come from a team of people who know each other well, work well together, and are truly invested in the results of our work. We are all there for each other, making sure everyone is getting the support they need to succeed.
Travis Kern, Field Director
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I came on with Grouse Mountain in the spring of 2023 as a temporary position right out of Graduate School. I had a seasonal job already lined up that summer with the Bridger-Teton, but Grouse Mountain was willing to wait till my season was up to take me on full-time. The fact that the company worked in Wyoming, as well as a satellite office in New Mexico, was a big attraction for me. I worked for several years in New Mexico, and it’s been my career goal to work with a company that enables me to work up and down the Rockies.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I am a Field Director for the Cultural Resources Department (Archaeology) for Grouse Mountain; I still get to work in the field but am building on my experience in the office writing technical reports and looking to expand the department to other states within the Rocky Mountains.
What made you choose this career path?
There were a lot of factors. I have always loved history, taking every class offered in high school, and my parents encouraged me to pursue a degree in History. While pursuing my degree, it was required that I complete a minor; while taking an Intro to Archaeology class, I learned of a field school in New Mexico, which pretty much sealed the deal. The fact that I still get to be a huge history nerd, work outside, and travel was extremely appealing. I worked in the private sector as well as with the Forest Service; ultimately, I decided that I like the freedom that is offered in the private sector, and Grouse Mountain fills a niche that I enjoy.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The challenges and growth. One of the best parts of working here has been that you get to learn something new, whether a new approach to recording artifacts, working with new clients, or seeing new landscapes that you may not have experienced. I enjoy coming to work and seeing what is around the corner.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
Working in Grand Teton National Park in the Summer of 2024 and running into a bear-sow with three cubs. Thankfully, she let us get out of there without any harm, but talk about a moment you won’t forget!
What do you enjoy about Wyoming?
The diversity in the land, from the high alpine regions of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the high deserts, the badlands between Worland and Ten Sleep, and the Black Hills; having said that, I don’t care for the Plains (sorry, Cheyenne).
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy hunting and target practice as much as the next guy, though I am also a huge nerd and enjoy games, movies, and books. My pup, Bridger, and I are constantly out hiking, enjoying exploring in the mountains and sightseeing. I like tinkering on projects, from puzzles, models, to building my own snowshoes, and replacing handles on my knives. I attempt to flint knap (I make nice chonky points that can’t do anything) and rockhound a lot.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I am 6’7” and have the coordination of someone with two left feet (ladies, please, one at a time). I grew up on a ranch near Joplin, Missouri, where I was born and raised (I like to joke that, yes, I was raised in a barn). Big dogs are the best, and yes, they are lap dogs, no matter how big they are. I love southern food, and southwest culture, but I got to have mountains in my view.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I love my job and getting to talk with people about it; not only do they often know some amazing sites and artifacts, but it’s a great way to connect with them. People love the past, even if it’s not necessarily their own history; most want to preserve and understand what was going on at certain locations. I know some archaeologists get a bad reputation for telling people off, and while I am not an advocate for removing artifacts from where they were located, I believe it’s my job to encourage and foster advocational archaeology.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Grouse Mountain fills a niche that I have been looking for. I cut my teeth in New Mexico, did graduate school in Montana, and have worked in Wyoming for a couple of years now. Grouse Mountain works in the whole Rocky Mountain region and is ever expanding to places I never even knew I wanted to work in, enabling me to grow in my field.
Kimberly Cook, Environmental Engineer
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
Recruited by a colleague from the University.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
Environmental Engineering
What made you choose this career path?
Growing up in the desert SW, I watched water and air quality degrade. I chose a career path that could help me understand and hopefully mitigate the depletion of these natural resources.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
Family and team-oriented. I feel like part of something bigger, and I have been treated like one of the team since day one.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
I just started, but so far, everyone is friendly and helpful with each other’s projects. There is a camaraderie across the different disciplines that shows a cohesive consulting unit.
What do you enjoy about Wyoming?
I live in AZ, but I’ve been up to WY, and I Love the wide open range land.
What are some of your hobbies?
Flower gardening, cooking, hiking, and camping… to name a few
What are a few fun facts about you?
Two kids=my world. I also have a cat and a dog, and lots of fish and tiny neocaridina shrimp.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
Environmental engineering is a broad and evolving industry, including water, air, and waste management, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. I thrive in this fast-paced, broad-spectrum career.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Grouse Mountain is a multifaceted environmental professional team doing exemplary work for a diverse group of clients.
Jeff Crocker, Reclamation/Stormwater Project Manager
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I had friends from college working for Grouse Mountain at the time, and it seemed like a good fit.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
Reclamation and Stormwater Project Manager.
What made you choose this career path?
I have always enjoyed the outdoors from a young age.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The places I get to experience.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
Water and soil sampling in the canyons on the west slope of Colorado.
What do you enjoy about Wyoming?
The endless Fly-Fishing opportunities.
What are some of your hobbies?
Fly fishing and hunting.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I used to be a fishing guide. On top of Grouse Mountain, I am also the Assistant Chief of a Fire Department in Sheridan County.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
Every day is another adventure.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
It is an entertaining place to work, with no two days being the same. One day, you can be by Douglas, and the next, you can be in Northern Montana.
Jessica Fortner, Environmental Specialist
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
Through a referral from a friend.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I am an Environmental Specialist in the Engineering Department.
What made you choose this career path?
I love Environmental Science, nature, and the outdoors.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The people are wonderful!
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
The variety of work we get to do is very enjoyable.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming has all the seasons and beautiful summers.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy barrel racing, working out, and officiating basketball.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I grew up on a ranch and enjoy horse training.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Grouse Mountain has a wonderful group of diverse people with a lot of knowledge who work well together as a team.
Bonnie Gray, Project Manager
It was a match made in heaven. When Bonnie Gray first interviewed for her job with Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants and when she first heard what the job entailed, she couldnʼt contain her excitement.
As a Project Manager in the companyʼs permitting department, Gray gets to work in logistics a lot; something sheʼs always found fascinating.
“We help with the permitting process for oil and gas companies,” Gray said. “Thatʼs primarily what we do. And, as the Project Manager, I help coordinate directly with our clients and I help keep their projects moving forward. I help them understand the process and anything they might need for any permits that theyʼre applying for. And then I help delegate the work out to our project assistants to make sure our wildlife and cultural or any other resource needs are taken care of. Itʼs a lot of coordination.”
Which is what she loves.
“Iʼve worked some other jobs that have included this kind of role,” she said. “I like to say that Iʼve worked jobs that have many moving pieces. So I think Iʼve definitely found my niche with Grouse Mountain. I was really excited when I interviewed for this job. When they described it, I was like, ʻThat sounds exactly like what I enjoy doing!ʼ”
And it is. Gray loves her job and she is thankful that she gets to have a job that brings her happiness; one that makes her proud.
“Here, I can take pride in my work,” she said. “Itʼs nice being able to talk to people about it. A lot of people complain about their jobs a lot of times, and I get to say that I actually like my job! It definitely gives me a lot of pride to work for the company that I do.”
We wanted to find out a little bit more about who Bonnie is, what she does, and why sheʼs such a perfect fit for Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants, so we asked her a few questions.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
After being in a larger metro area for a couple of years, I started looking for job opportunities in more rural parts of the mountain west with most of my searching in Wyoming. I applied and interviewed with the company and knew if I was offered the job I would take it. Having worked in several different sectors, working for a privately owned company was something I was looking for.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am a project manager in the permitting department.
What made you want to choose this career path?
Growing up in Wyoming, I enjoyed the wide open spaces and wanted a career that would allow me to be outdoors. In college I took a few classes that dove into the complexities of natural resource management and found it to be very intriguing, which further affirmed I wanted to work in a natural resources field.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The variety and the people! Even doing the same kind of permits or tasks, there are little differences in each project that are unique. I feel like I am constantly learning something new. I also love that we are very team oriented, most people are willing to jump in and help out wherever needed.
What do you love about Wyoming?
I love the many hidden gems and various landscapes. From wide open plains down south, to the rugged mountain ranges, there’s something captivating about each part of the state.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy fishing all seasons with my husband, skiing, and paddle boarding in the summer. I also love a good hockey game or playing board/card games with friends.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I find most arachnids and herptiles (reptiles/amphibians) absolutely adorable.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
The package of unique skill sets within our company. Jenna and Jason have done a great job of finding people with specialized skills and knowledge to bring to the table that allow us as a company to tackle projects efficiently and wholly.
Cristina Marciales, Wildlife Biologist
Cristina Marciales, “Marci” to her friends, has always loved wildlife, ever since she was a child.
“I grew up in South Florida,” Marci stated. “So there’s lots of lizards and ducks and iguanas and all sorts of crazy wildlife down there. So I think that’s probably where it all started.”
“ I had jobs where I worked for the state and federal governments, but I wanted to try out the private industry,” Marci said. “So honestly, I found this job by Googling ‘Wildlife Jobs Near Me,’ but as soon as I realized it was a smaller company and that it did such a variety of things, I was very interested.”
So Marci applied for the job, got it, and has become one of GMEC’s valued Wildlife Biologists.
Cristina Marciales has a passion for the environment, a passion for wildlife, and a passion for her job. We wanted to get to know Marci a little bit more, so we asked her some questions:
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I was looking for a position that allowed me to get back to fieldwork while also having an important role or some responsibility and decision-making; I’m not just a grunt checking boxes for someone’s survey, I am a part of the planning, surveying, reporting, public involvement process, everything!
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
My title is wildlife biologist. When a client needs environmental permitting or compliance for their project, I facilitate and participate in the necessary permitting, surveying, etc. that he or she needs to complete it.
What made you choose this career path?
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with animals. I studied wildlife science and natural resources in college and here I am!
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
My favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain is that it’s a small company. Everyone works together to get projects done. Because of this, I find myself challenged by the variety of the work; even though I’m a wildlife biologist, I still work on fisheries, visual/scenery, soils, and wetlands reports too.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
I had never been to the state of Wyoming before working for Grouse Mountain; my first time in the state I was doing fieldwork and found an antelope skull. That was pretty cool.
What do you love about New Mexico?
From my experience, New Mexico is the most scenically beautiful state, while being the most affordable. I had always wanted to move to the mountains, but I figured out pretty quickly that Colorado and Montana weren’t gonna happen.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love horseback riding! In 2022 I was on a rodeo team where we traveled around a couple of states performing drill routines, like those gals on the horses with the big ol flags. That was fun. I also enjoy hiking with my 80-pound shepherd mix, Milo.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I’m fluent in Spanish, and I’m actually from the east coast! I grew up by the beach in sunny South Florida, and I went to UGA for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Go dawgs!
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Grouse Mountain has a local presence in New Mexico, something many competitors do not have. In addition, because of our small size, we are able to really focus on our clients and get the job done reliably every time. You can count on small company accountability.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I enjoy it! I know I’m lucky that I get to go hiking for work.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Everyone at Grouse Mountain is extremely friendly! Don’t hesitate to reach out to either of our Buffalo, Wyoming and Santa Fe, New Mexico offices if you have a question about your project’s compliance.
Adam Ullom, Project Manager
Half a decade ago, Adam Ullom was working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, managing a stormwater project. It was a big job, in a big lab, and it required a big commitment. Adam made a five year commitment to the Laboratory and he was intent on seeing it through.
After five years and six months, however, Adam was ready for something new. Prior to his work with the National Laboratory, Adam worked for the State of New Mexico with the Surface Water Quality Bureau. He managed environmental sampling of lakes, rivers, and streams across the state. He has worked in the environment, in one way or another, for almost two decades. And while he wanted to continue on that career path, he wanted to do it somewhere else. In October of 2023, he began working for Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants.
“It’s been great!” Adam said. “I really like working for a smaller, family-esque company. Everybody really has the same goal of doing a good job and getting the name out there for the community. It’s just a good fit for me. I think people put a lot more into it because it’s a smaller company. You don’t cut corners and just push stuff out. People are actually emotionally invested in the work, and I appreciate that.”
Adam, himself, is emotionally invested in the work as well. We wanted to get to know him a little bit more, so we sat down for a Q&A session to find out more about Adam Ullom.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I started at GMEC in October of 2023. After working for 5 years, managing a large project at a National Laboratory, I was ready for a change. I saw the job ad on Indeed and knew the time had arrived.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I do a variety of things. That’s one of the big draws to consulting for me. I might work on a proposal, an Environmental Assessment, a Regulatory Permit one day, and be off in a wilderness area doing a survey the next. The diversity of the work and associated challenges keeps it interesting and keeps me continually learning.
What made you choose this career path?
I’ve been working as an Environmental Professional for the past 17 years. It really just happened. I’ve always been an avid outdoor person, and my degree in Conservation Biology/Aquatic Ecology has allowed me to make a career out of doing what I love. I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to get paid for doing what I enjoy.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
I really enjoy the mix of projects I’m able to work on, and I get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that our work makes a difference.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
I have only been with GMEC for four months. In that time, I traveled to the Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico to conduct a walk-down on a project we were interested in bidding on. The project is stream restoration work (one of my passions) on a small river with a population of native Gila Cutthroat Trout. It’s a beautiful location abutting the Wilderness Area.
What do you love about New Mexico?
New Mexico has everything an outdoor enthusiast such as myself could dream of. Mountains, rivers, lakes, desert, abundant fish and wildlife. The people, cultures, food, I need more paper!
What are some of your hobbies?
I’ve been called a Renaissance Man by friends. I just like to stay busy. I enjoy spending time with my two sons, hunting, fishing, foraging, gardening, raising livestock, hiking, snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and cooking (I love making smoked and cured meats, sausage, jerky – all the charcuterie!).
What are a few fun facts about you?
I was born and raised in Washington State. I am a die-hard Seahawks fan, and my chocolate lab, Sadie, is a fan too.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Passion! Grouse Mountain is unlike any company I have worked for in the past. My colleagues take a great deal of pride in providing exceptional services. Being a smaller company, we really need to raise the bar on the quality of work we perform for our clients, and we do! It’s really like a family business. You want to do well and assure the continued good name.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I love my job!
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
The Environmental Consulting field is highly competitive. GMEC has made its place at the top of the list through the exceptional people and services we provide. I’m not one to “toot my own horn,” but GMEC really is an exceptional company of fantastic people who really care about what we do.
Any additional information you’d like to provide?
Thank you for this opportunity.
Kristen Oliver, Wildlife Biologist
Kristen Oliver is a proud, intelligent woman and she really enjoys working with other proud, intelligent women. That’s one of the reasons she began working for Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants in October of 2023.
Oliver has worked in a variety of roles since completing grad school and, in those roles, she’s noticed something.
“I’ve done a lot of field research and a lot of wildlife work,” Oliver stated. “And something I’ve realized is that the leadership within the wildlife and ecology fields are often male dominated. You’re often advised by men and the women in these fields are usually in lower-level positions. So to find a company like GMEC, that has a diverse group of employees throughout the company – especially with Jenna being one of the principals of the company – as a female in science; it was really enticing for me to join this company.”
Oliver said that the job has already given her many new role models to look up to and new skills and interests within her field. Learning more about consulting and gaining new experiences is why she gravitated towards GMEC.
“My mom was a vet tech for a really long time, and often, we would raise and rehab wildlife; mostly gray squirrels in South Carolina,” she laughed. “So I kind of got introduced to animals in that capacity, and I knew that I wanted to do something with animals. As I got older, I began to learn about the field of ecology and about different ecosystems which influenced my higher education experiences. Now in this position I am finding an interest in applying those degrees and understanding how wildlife fits into the equation of our federal, state and local rules and regulations and their implementations to help protect them.”
We wanted to learn more about Kristen, so we recently sat down for a Q&A session with one of Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultant’s newest Wildlife Biologists.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I applied to this job while working at a vet clinic as a veterinary technician, a filler position after finishing graduate school. This position looked like a good fit and a good way to gain a lot of experience if I got the job. I found the posting on Facebook and a couple of other platforms and didn’t know much about consulting, but I really liked that the company seemed to have a lot of women in higher-level positions, so I applied. After my interview, I could sense the benefits of a small company and really appreciated where they seemed to place their values, so once offered the position, I was happy to accept.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I am a Wildlife Biologist for Grouse Mountain. I help assist in coordinating projects, conduct wildlife surveys, prepare reports, and analyze data for reporting.
What made you choose this career path?
After finishing my Master’s I knew I didn’t want to go into academia and was having a hard time getting interviews for state and federal positions, so I decided that consulting would be a good way to get a lot of experience and I have come to love that choice so far.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
I love how accessible all of my co-workers are and that the company really does have a small-business feel to it. I feel that Jenna and Jason make it a priority to take care of their employees and it really shows in the work environment.
I also love the field work 🙂
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
Getting to travel to different places to conduct field work and getting to analyze data from a wide variety of places and species. I have only worked here since October, so I don’t have too many experiences yet; especially because the field season hasn’t started yet. But, based on the projects I have worked on so far and the stories I hear from my co-workers keep me excited.
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love the variety of ecosystems that can be found throughout NM, and the amazing outdoor recreation that comes with that. I also love the diversity of people and the rich cultural history found throughout New Mexico.
What are some of your hobbies?
Fly fishing in the Pecos River and throughout the state, hiking and camping and backpacking with my partner and our dogs, knitting and building stuff for my chickens.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I have worked for several years in Borneo, Malaysia. I was stuck there during the start of the pandemic which was a very interesting experience.
I love birds and bird banding and have been working with birds for over 10 years now.
I studied avian physiology for my masters.
I love to code and manage data.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Because Grouse Mountain is a small company, I feel we have a leg up in providing customizable services and getting to know our clients and their needs.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
My job is a great balance and exercise of my degrees and getting to work with clients to explain their data and how they can avoid having adverse impacts on the wildlife in their project areas. I think this is an important and impactful position to be in and am excited to continue to learn in this job.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
GMEC has a small business feel, with great quality work and wonderful hard working and passionate people. You can’t go wrong.
Cristina Marciales, Wildlife Biologist
Adam Ullom, Project Manager
Kristen Oliver, Wildlife Biologist
Kevin McCartney, Database Developer
Clinton Beck, Environmental Coordinator
Hillary Robbie, Wildlife Biologist / NEPA Coordinator
Kirstie Lawson, Wildlife Biologist
Becca Mashak, Lead Archaeologist
Chessney Sevier, Permitting Project Manager
Dave Huber, Permitting Project Manager
Steve Seidel, Permitting Project Manager
Jason Sutton, Principal
Anthony Mort, Wildlife Biologist, Project Manager, and Field Coordinator
Anthony Mort’s roles at Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants are Wildlife Biologist, Field Coordinator, and Project Management.
Mort does a lot and loves all of it!
“I think the most important thing we can do is preserve our natural resources for future generations to come,” Mort said. “I love to hunt and fish, and I love our public lands. A lot of Grouse Mountain’s projects are on public land, so I help the oil and gas companies ensure that we still have natural resources and habitats for future generations to be able to enjoy.”
Anthony Mort has a passion for the environment and a passion for his job. We wanted to get to know Anthony a little bit more, so we asked him some questions:
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I worked 5+ years as a wildlife technician for multiple private and government agencies. Grouse Mountain was gracious enough to recognize all my hard work and offered me a full-time position. Grouse Mountain had a great reputation and was located close to home (Sheridan, WY), so I sent in my resume without hesitation.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I wear three hats at Grouse Mountain: Wildlife Biologist, Project Manager, and Field Coordinator. As a Wildlife Biologist, I am fortunate to participate in all kinds of interesting and super fun fieldwork. One week I may be in Montana conducting avian point counts for a proposed wind farm, and the next week I could be flying in a helicopter checking the status of known raptor nests and looking for new nests.
Not only do I get to collect data in the field, but I also get to analyze and make sense of that data back at the office. As a Project Manager, I work with important clients and government agencies to make sure all wildlife surveys are conducted accurately and efficiently so projects can move along in a timely fashion. During the busy season, I put on the hat of a field coordinator. I have the pleasure of creating schedules for our hard-working technicians. When we are getting bombarded with work from multiple clients, I organize, prioritize, and schedule out surveys depending on multiple factors such as species-specific protocols, client needs, technician availability, weather…etc.
What made you choose this career path?
Growing up, my parents would take me to all kinds of different places outdoors. Whether it was hunting, fishing, camping, or hiking, I got to enjoy many activities and experience adventures that really shaped me into the person I am today. None of that would have been possible if it wasn’t for conservation. Conserving our state’s wildlife, habitat, and public lands has always been important to me so eventually, my children can enjoy the same activities and experience the same adventures that I got to. Following this career path allows me to do my part for conservation and to help ensure good times are in the future for generations to come.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
Grouse Mountain is a small but mighty organization that can take on a project from start to finish. Seeing all departments in action doing their part is like watching a championship caliber team. Everyone works together for the same goal, and being a part of that is something special.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
One time I was out in the field going to check the status of a raptor nest. As I approached the tree the nest was supposed to be in, I noticed something strange. I saw the gentle swing of a long furry tail. Upon a closer look, there was no bird in the tree. In fact, there was a bobcat staring at me not 15 feet from my face! Luckily, the cat was more interested in taking a nap than having me for breakfast.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming is the greatest of all 50 states without a doubt. It has vast landscapes, mountainous terrains, beautiful rivers and valleys, abundance of wildlife, and very few people. Very few people is the best part about Wyoming, so do not move here … it’s terrible!
What are some of your hobbies?
Huntin’, fishin’, and lovin’ every day. Luke Byan couldn’t have said it better.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I have 14 children (6 chickens, 6 fish, 1 dog, and 1 cat). That is a lot of mouths to feed, let me tell ya.
I am a diehard Josh Allen and Shaq fan.
I thoroughly enjoy beating Dave Huber in basketball.
I have great respect for people who raise goats.
My wife is the hardest-working employee I have ever seen.
I work under the absolute best mentor/supervisor in the history of mankind…Kirstie Lawson.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Grouse Mountain has small company values but a strong workforce. Its stupendous employees get the job done and done right.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I love embracing new adventures and working for the Wildlife Department at Grouse Mountain gives me just that.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
If you are an outdoorsman/woman looking to get a job that has a good balance of fieldwork and office work, then apply to work for Grouse Mountain!
Andrea Cody, Administrative Assistant
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am the administrative assistant/ “chaos coordinator”.
What made you want to choose this career path?
This career path kind of chose me. I was in corporate management for many years before we moved. I found a small business that needed an office manager. I thought it couldn’t be that much different and quickly found out it was. I enjoy working for smaller companies because you get to know everyone you work with on a more personal level.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
Grouse Mountain is a very professional and family-centered company. It is very team-oriented around here. Everyone has a job to keep the wheels turning.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
There are a few. What it comes down to is watching others come together no matter their differences and pulling off a project deadline. Everyone comes together with one purpose and, in that moment, creates amazing workmanship!
What do you love about Wyoming?
What I love about Wyoming is the wide open spaces, all the friendly small towns, and you can’t beat the beauty of this place.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy the fresh air and mountains, and I love to read, knit, and sketch.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Their strong work ethics, integrity and professionalism.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
I absolutely love teamwork! I love watching everyone come together to complete a project.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Grouse Mountain has a wide range of capabilities to get a project completed efficiently and effectively.
Hillary Robbie, NEPA Coordinator
Hillary Robbie has been a vital part of Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants for ten years. In that time, she has held a number of positions and worked on a variety of projects. And while it’s partly the work that has kept her at Grouse Mountain for a decade, it’s also Grouse Mountain itself.
“Grouse Mountain is a really good company,” Robbie shared. “We were a lot smaller ten years ago, and we’ve continued to grow since then. But it still feels like a nice, good, family-like company.”
Throughout her ten years, Robbie has overseen and been directly involved with various projects.
“I do a little bit of everything,” she laughed. “I started off as a Wildlife Biologist, so I still do that and manage some of the wildlife projects. I also do quite a few of our proposals. Basically, when we’re trying to get new jobs, I write up our proposals for those to submit to clients. But the main thing for me, right now, is that I also lead our NEPA Department (National Environmental Policy Act). And that includes a lot of environmental documentation.”
Her responsibilities have multiplied, but she has welcomed the challenge. In fact, she prefers the challenge. Robbie enjoys staying busy. She enjoys working on a wide array of projects and she’s able to do just that with Grouse Mountain.
“In the time I’ve been here, I’ve also done a ton of rangeland projects, plant projects, some hydrology stuff that I’ve helped with permitting for. I’ve done all sorts of things. Even with the NEPA Department now, that’s something that just continues to grow. And I feel like that’s something that’s nice about working here – starting off with them early on, and I’m still learning now. We keep getting all sorts of new kinds of projects. So that’s been nice.”
Robbie’s career thus far has been more than “nice,” and we wanted to know it, so we asked her some questions to find out more about Grouse Mountain’s NEPA Coordinator.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I was already in Buffalo, working as a seasonal range intern at the BLM. I really wanted to stay in the area but get more into the wildlife field. So I came here to be a combination wildlife/rangeland seasonal employee and have stayed here ever since.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I’m a NEPA Coordinator, wildlife project manager, and I work a lot on proposals. As NEPA Coordinator, I manage and help to write environmental documents for the National Environmental Policy Act, mainly Environmental Assessments and Categorical Exclusions. These documents look at a project’s entire environmental impact for a variety of resources. As a wildlife project manager, I help our clients determine what sort of wildlife surveys they need in order to obtain their permit, and then carry out those surveys. I also spend quite a bit of time preparing proposals for Grouse Mountain while we look for new opportunities.
What made you choose this career path?
I’ve always enjoyed wildlife and knew I wanted to make a career out of it. I enjoy that, here, I get to do wildlife work, but also a variety of other resource projects.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The way everyone steps up as a team to get the work done. We’re a small company, and everyone wears multiple hats here.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
My first snowy owl sighting. I was up at a proposed wind farm location in Montana, completing avian use surveys. I was driving between points and came up on a gate. It was really early in the morning, and the whole area was snow covered and silent. On the fence was perched a perfectly white, adult male snowy owl. I rolled the window down and he flew past me silently and I could see those golden eyes look straight at me. He didn’t count for my surveys but definitely for my life-list, and an awesome experience.
What do you love about Wyoming?
I love the small town community, how integrated we are with the outdoors, and the fact that it’s a great, safe place to raise a family.
What are some of your hobbies?
Bird-watching and reading!
What are a few fun facts about you?
My birding life list (number of different bird species I’ve seen) is at 497. Just three more to 500! I also have two young girls that occupy most of my free time.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
I think we’re a lot more flexible. We want the job, and we want to do a good job. That means even if it’s new, or there’s something challenging about the project, we will figure out the best way to get it done and get it done well.
Troy Snyder, GIS Specialist
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…drone operated by Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants’ newest GIS Technician, Troy Snyder!
Snyder began working for GMEC seven months ago and from Day 1, he’s been so incredibly excited to be a part of the team.
“I was living and working in Utah, working for the Utah Department of Transportation,” Snyder said. “It was just a seasonal internship and I really enjoyed it. But I was looking to get in with a firm that dealt with more wildlife and environmental aspects of things.”
Snyder said that his wife was actually the one who noticed the job posting from GMEC.
“She was like,’ You should apply for this,’” Snyder said. “So I did and I felt really good about it. They offered me the position and we felt really good about it, so we decided to come up here to Buffalo and it’s been a great experience.”
Troy brings with him a wealth of skills and knowledge, including the fact that he is a fully-licensed drone pilot.
“A drone license is required by the FAA to fly a drone commercially for any new company,” Snyder said. “And that was something that Jason and Jenna wanted each of us to have, as members of the GIS team, to allow us to serve our customers better. You can use drones for a lot of different things, but something that I was recently able to do was that I went to a gypsum mine in Cody, Wyoming and I got to fly over that. It was a pretty simple flight, but it’s really neat that you can fly over an area and get aerial imagery and then, from that imagery, you can show the changes over time. You can calculate area or volume and do all of these different cool things with the software.”
It’s definitely a new, unique skill that Troy brought with him to GMEC. We wanted to get to know Troy a little better, so we asked him some questions to find out more about GMEC’s newest GIS Specialist.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I was finishing up a summer GIS internship in Utah, and my wife found the GIS Technician posting with Grouse Mountain. She encouraged me to apply for it since it seemed to be a perfect marriage of my passion for/experience with wildlife work and GIS. I applied and interviewed for the job, and after the interview I had a really good, warm feeling. After much prayer and consideration (and being offered the job), my wife and daughter and I decided to move up to Buffalo. This took some faith, especially since I started work in mid-November, and winter pretty much came on all at once at that time! Working for GMEC and living here has been such a blessing to us!
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
Along with my 2 GIS team members, I assist in creating maps for navigation, permitting, wildlife surveys, and other purposes per the needs of our various departments. I also run a geographic model to help us determine the suitability of drilling locations. In addition, I recently got my drone pilot license and have the opportunity to fly the drone for various projects to help meet our clients’ needs.
What made you choose this career path?
I have a deep passion for wildlife and the outdoors, and I’ve always wanted to work to help conserve natural resources for my family and future generations to enjoy. I also love to study geography, and maps fascinate me. I associate memories, smells, feelings, etc. with geographic locations.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The people! I love working with my teammates at Grouse Mountain. They are very patient, kind, and helpful. We really work as a team and enjoy working together, even when workloads are heavy and timelines are tight.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
I can’t really nail down one experience, but the experience of continually receiving good feedback from project managers and my other coworkers is extremely helpful. All of our managers do an awesome job at encouraging and uplifting their teammates, which really makes a difference to me and sets GMEC apart from any other company or agency I’ve worked for!
What do you love about Wyoming?
I love the small-town feel that is prevalent throughout the state. I also love that there is plentiful wildlife and plenty of wild places left here. The climate is nice (except in the winter!), and it doesn’t get blazing hot, and there’s actually water here! My family and I enjoy watching the deer and the antelope play on the land behind our apartment building.
What are some of your hobbies?
Hiking, birding, hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, playing musical instruments, singing, making hiking sticks, and writing.
What are a few fun facts about you?
I am an identical twin; my twin brother is ~1 minute older than me, and he and his wife live in our home state of Pennsylvania. I am a self-taught banjo player and enjoy playing other instruments such as the ukulele, the Native American flute, the piano, the drums, and various other percussion instruments. I also love to write and read poetry, and I have a few published poems. I paint and draw wildlife for fun! My wife, Casey, and I have a 20-month-old daughter named Millie, and she’s the joy of our life!
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
First of all, our Principals- Jenna and Jason are deeply involved in just about every department and every aspect of what we do. THEY REALLY CARE about the success of their employees in addition to the success of the company. I find these things to be inspiring and exceptional in today’s business world. GMEC’s people set us apart from competitors; our people really know their stuff and want to do what’s right for our clients and the company.
If you could tell readers one thing about yourself and your job, what would that be?
My job helps me to learn and grow and excel to become a more well-rounded professional in my field, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
Grouse Mountain is a wonderful place to work, and they do the best they can to serve their clients and employees well. Being a part of GMEC is like being a part of a family.
Favorite part about operating a drone?
I love being able to see the fine details of the landscapes and projects we fly over.
Any additional information you’d like to provide?
Grouse Mountain takes care of its people and its clients. Their loving and professional culture has blessed me and my family (and even helped motivate me and my family to endure our first BRUTAL Wyoming winter).
Matt Rabel, Field Supervisor
Matt Rabel, the Field Supervisor for Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants, is a family man. He took a position with GMEC so that his two sons could finish high school in Wyoming. He wanted them to finish school in the place where they grew up.
“I used to work in the oil and gas industry,” Rabel said. “I worked for a major petroleum company for a number of years, and my job asked me to relocate to West Texas or Colorado. But I wanted my boys to finish high school here in Buffalo, so I reached out to Jason and Jenna to see if they might have had a position at Grouse Mountain for me.”
They did, and Rabel began working for GMEC in February of 2023. He hasn’t been with the company for long but, in his time, he already saw how family-oriented GMEC is.
“I think Grouse Mountain is a neat company in the fact that it’s locally owned,” he stated. “It’s more of a family feel than a corporate feel. They treat everyone as equals. It’s a great place to work for and they’re able to accomplish some really technical, high-quality things that I don’t think a lot of people in the community even realize they do.”
Recently, Rabel answered some questions so that we could get to know him a little better.
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I have known Jason and Jenna for a while, as we have kids about the same age. After working in the Oil and Gas industry for about 20 years, my job was going to make me relocate. With having two boys in high school, I wanted them to get through it in Buffalo. So I took a severance package from my job and then I called Jason to see if they thought they might have a position for me in their company.
What do you do for Grouse Mountain?
I am a Field Supervisor, which means I do anything from running crews within the reclamation group, to taking water and soil samples, along with doing different inspections on the oil and gas locations.
What made you choose this career path?
I’m not sure how this career path was chosen. I started out in the oil and gas industry right after high school and all through college. As time went on, I just continued working in that field. When my job was severed, I wanted to continue living in Buffalo, so I was lucky to find a job that my years of experience in the oil and gas industry could help with the tasks that I complete today!
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
You never know what you may do that day. In my current role, I could be installing BMP’s or taking water samples, or soil samples, or doing some inspections somewhere. Or helping with one of the other groups. There is never the daily grind or the same old, same old.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming is the greatest place on earth; open skies, land that is still wild and natural. Not very many people live here and it’s a place that, no matter where you go, you know someone.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy a number of different hobbies: my kids and all of their sporting events, football wrestling, track and soccer. Also, as a family, we are very competitive in showing livestock, pigs and goats.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have never lived anywhere but Wyoming!
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
They are good, honest people that always do the right thing, no matter what.
Jay Holt, SWPPP Specialist
Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants employ countless individuals who bring their unique skill sets to the job every single day. Jay Holt is one of those people. As the SWPPP Specialist for GMEC, Holt is in charge of all of the different types of stormwater planning and BMP installation around oil pads, gravel pits, and some gas locations.
BMP stands for ‘Best Management Practice’ in regards to water pollution control.
“My main job is to write some of those plans and then make sitemaps for each location; which involves putting BMP’s around the location,” Holt said. “Basically, I’m in charge of figuring out how to get all of the information for the locations, and then I need to put that into a stormwater plan and put the BMPs that the company wants to use in the stormwater plan as well. And then, on top of that, I have to make sure I keep up with the stormwater plan so that it stays in compliance with the DEQ.”
Holt also goes into the field and does stormwater inspections on oil pads, making sure that the BMPs he put in those stormwater plans are actually doing their job.
It’s a big job; an important job. And it’s one that Jay Holt takes very seriously. Not only because he cares about the job itself, but because he cares about the company that he works for.
“It’s a smaller company and I know everybody that’s in the company,” Holt said. “I have a personal relationship with my bosses, and it’s not part of some giant corporation where you may never meet half the people.”
To find out more about Jay Holt, we asked him a few questions, which he answered below:
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
In 2017 I was working as a crop consultant for farmers in SW Nebraska, and was not happy with where I was at or what I was doing. After visiting Wyoming in the summer of 2017 after being away for a year and a half I realized how much I missed it and wanted to move back. I was talking to my best friend from college, who at the time was working for GMEC, and he said he needed help, so I applied and got hired onto the reclamation/SWPPP department in October of 2017.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am a SWPPP Specialist. SWPPP stands for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and I am tasked with creating, updating and sometimes implementing these stormwater plans for clients so they can stay in compliance with DEQ standards.
What made you want to choose this career path?
I do not think I chose this career path as much as I may have fallen into it. It was an opportunity for me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new in an industry that I had never experienced up until the point I was hired on at GMEC.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
I enjoy being able to go to places off the beaten path that not very many people get to experience. When I get the opportunity to go into places like that I get to see some really neat things from time to time.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
One project we got to do reclamation on was down around Medicine Bow, and there was not a lot of sign that people had been there, but a quick google search led to some amazing history that happened right in the area we were working, and to be in that type of place makes me glad I was able to be a part of this company and get to experience a place like that.
What do you love about Wyoming?
There are a lot of things I love about Wyoming, but the main ones are the scenery and the history.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy hunting and fishing, like most people in this state, but during the summer I have found myself enjoying gardening, golfing, camping, hiking with a purpose, and taking our dogs to play fetch.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I have the best mountain corgi there ever was, and I was once charged by a skunk while installing BMPs; not that the two are related.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Grouse Mountain is a unit that works well together to find solutions and get the job done quickly and correctly.
Dave Huber, Project Manager
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I transitioned from another environmental consulting company here in Buffalo. I worked with the GM principles 15 years ago, so we’ve always kinda kept in touch.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
Project Manager
What made you want to choose this career path?
I didn’t know much about consulting in college, I was just kinda led into it afterwards.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
The variety of projects I’m involved in keeps things interesting and the people are great to work with.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
A 13 mile pack trip deep into the Absaroka wilderness to check out historic abandoned mine shafts while watching grizzly bears feeding on moth hatches.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming is a great State that is the least populous of all, while offering amazing outdoor opportunities and it is composed of hard working people with conservative values.
What are some of your hobbies?
Hunting, fishing, backpacking, attending my son’s sports events.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I am the oldest of 7 kids and have an ancestor that was a Titanic survivor.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
They offer quality employment with a family-type workplace culture.
If you could tell readers one thing about Grouse Mountain, what would THAT be?
If you’re considering applying, go for it. If you’re looking for environmental services give us a call!
Kirstie Lawson, Wildlife Biologist
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I happened to see a job posting for a seasonal biologist at Grouse Mountain when I was finishing up my Master’s degree in British Columbia and had previously worked in Wyoming. It had potential to turn into a long-term position and they responded really quickly to my job application.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am a wildlife biologist, managing the wildlife side of projects for clients. I help ensure that wildlife surveys are completed as necessary and help clients navigate regulations and timing stipulations surrounding species of concern under federal, state, and local regulations. I try to balance office work and fieldwork, working on both oil & gas and renewable energy projects. Additionally, I help with wetland delineations and surveys for jurisdictional waters.
What made you want to choose this career path?
My previous professional experience had focused on wildlife research and environmental consulting allowed for some diversity in work experience and a chance to dig more into the regulatory aspects of wildlife management.
What’s your favorite part about working at Grouse Mountain?
We survey for a variety of species and habitats and Grouse Mountain has allowed me to expand my experience and knowledge working with a wide range of wildlife survey protocols across multiple western states. I have worked on projects in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and North Dakota.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
Getting to work on the variety of projects mentioned above. I love variety and came from the research path where most work was species-specific.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming is home to a large number of wildlife species. There is more wildlife out in the sagebrush steppe than most people realize. And the sagebrush steppe is just one of many habitat types found in the state.
What are some of your hobbies?
I volunteer with CHAPS, a therapeutic riding program in Sheridan, on most Saturdays where I help with the horses during lessons, workshops, and fundraising events. Also, I enjoy hiking and reading.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I went to grad school in British Columbia. Also, my first wildlife work experience outside of school was volunteering with the California Condor Recovery Program.
What differentiates Grouse Mountain from its competitors?
Grouse Mountain has a small company feel and the people you work with makes a big difference. Our wildlife team works well together and are able to support each other on all projects.
Final thoughts?
Grouse Mountain does more than just grouse surveys. With a background in grouse research, most of my family and friends hear that I work for Grouse Mountain and think I’m still working primarily with grouse.
Chessney Sevier, Permitting Project Manager of State and Federal APD's
What made you want to choose GMEC for your career?
GMEC is an outstanding company to work for. As a company they have the same values that I do as an individual and that makes it a fit for me.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Pretty much everything! The natural beauty and history appeals most to the artist part of me. There’s a lot of freedom and independence here which sometimes requires persistence and grit.
What is your favorite past-time?
I’m a professional artist and have been for about 20 years. My favorite past-time, however, is rodeoing with my daughter. I was raised in a rodeo family and I enjoy carrying on the tradition.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I love to play cards with my family! Growing up in the middle of nowhere, playing cards was something we did with neighbors and friends for inexpensive entertainment.
Hillary Robbie, Project Manager
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
My main task is to conduct surveys and habitat assessments for sensitive wildlife species. I’ll go out to a proposed project site, look for grouse leks, sensitive bird nests, swift fox dens, etc., and assess overall habitat potential. We give this information to federal and state agencies to help them make decisions regarding the projects.
Most projects approved by federal agencies need to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. That includes evaluating all the potential environmental effects of the proposed project on natural resources such as water quality, wildlife, cultural resources, and more. I prepare these Environmental Assessment (EA) documents for our clients to assist in this process.
What’s your favorite part about working here?
The variety. One day you’re monitoring an eagle nest, the next you’re out hiking a stream to check for the proper functioning condition. I’ve counted sage-grouse strutting on a lek, found new populations of threatened plant species, assessed abandoned mine sites for bat habitat potential, studied habitat recovery post-fire, conducted bird point counts for wind energy development and more.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I’m very, very good at board games.
My bird life list is currently at 394 species.
Kylen Flannagan
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I was looking to move to Wyoming after I graduated from college, and I found this job on Indeed. My supervisor tried talking me out of moving over 1,000 miles for what was, at the time, a part-time job. But I’m stubborn.
What made you want to choose this career path?
I thoroughly enjoy working outdoors, and I love being able to be a part of improving/monitoring public and/or private lands.
What’s your favorite part about working here?
I get to broaden my skillset, and because I get to do a little bit of everything, my job never gets boring!
What do you love about Wyoming?
I love the extensive open areas, and the beautifully small population of people in this state. I’m what you would call…an introvert.
What is your favorite past-time?
Playing with my dog and cats mostly. I do love taking my dog out on hikes/walks when the weather is nice. Gardening in the summer, staying warm in the winter.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I am originally from Nevada. I am very passionate about ranch dressing. I have an obsession with skulls. I love plants.
Kevin McCartney, Grouse Mountain Database Developer
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I started with Grouse Mountain as my first job after graduate school. While at Colorado State University, I studied ecological modeling of a hybridizing invasive plant species. This research exposed me to different facets of spatial studies, from mapping to analysis to modeling and more. My work for Grouse Mountain has dovetailed nicely into new areas of both spatial and data-focused projects.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
As a GIS analyst and database developer, I work on a good variety of projects with great people at Grouse Mountain. My role encompasses technical tasks such as:
• Spatial analyses of different actions done over a continual timeline on a project site
• Automating workflows by writing custom software to interact with databases and web pages
• Designing and developing new database solutions both in-house and for clients
• Working with newer technologies such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems and mobile apps for spatial data collection
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
My first project automating a workflow was memorable for two key reasons. First, it was a good challenge to learn new coding techniques, and second, it was very fulfilling to create something that helps our permitting team members by regularly saving them time.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I grew up before the internet was ubiquitous, actually before Microsoft Windows was even popular, never mind iPhones, iPads or even iPods.
I sort my Skittles.
Clinton Beck, P.E. Environmental Coordinator
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I was keeping an eye out for new and exciting engineering challenges with a company demonstrating success and opportunity in many different areas of service. Grouse Mountain was that company and I was lucky enough to match their search for a professional engineer to take on these expanding services.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am a professional environmental engineer that is overseeing many of the environmental compliance programs. These include the air, groundwater, mine, and waste permitting programs. I also work to support overall environmental compliance through the development of environmental management systems and audit programs.
What made you want to choose this career path?
At a young age, I recognized the environmental challenges that many industries faced. I knew that I wanted to be a part of solving some of these challenges while working with the important resource management and utilization companies. I figured an environmental engineer would be a great conduit for this desire and I am glad to have chosen this career.
What’s your favorite part about working here?
The team! The team has a wealth of experience and knowledge that helps not only to offer complete environmental services but to expand my current knowledge base and resources. The team is quick to share this expertise, but more importantly, they have been welcoming with plenty of positive energy.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
The support and freedom to pursue new challenges. From the moment I started, it was apparent the team is invested in growth, both professionally and personally. This was ever-present in the drafting of one of my first larger proposals. Everyone provided feedback and input in a way that allowed for the proposal to develop so that everyone had a stake, shared their expertise, and everyone felt a sense of ownership.
What do you love about Wyoming?
Wyoming has so much to offer. I am always impressed with the expansive landscapes. What I love most may be the efforts taken in preserving these landscapes, while also providing the resources and jobs we all have grown so accustomed to.
What is your favorite past-time?
With my baseball days behind me, kayaking and fishing are my favorite pastimes.
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I currently serve on the Rapid City Air Quality Board.
I spent my high school summers helping with cleanup as part of the Acomita Lake dam restoration project near The Pueblo of Acoma.
I lived in a house built in the 1867, which used to be the commanding officer’s office and quarters at Fort Fauntleroy in San Rafael, New Mexico.
Spencer Burkett, Reclamation/Rangeland Technician
How did you come to work at Grouse Mountain?
I originally started to help with a reclamation project. After the reclamation project was completed, I was asked to stay on to help with AIM projects for the BLM, as well as other environmental projects.
What do you do at Grouse Mountain?
I am a Reclamation/Rangeland Technician. I help with reclamation projects, SWPPP’s, wetland delineations, vegetation surveys and assessments, Inventory and Monitoring.
What made you want to choose this career path?
I choose this career because I wanted a job that would allow me to spend time outdoors.
What’s your favorite part about working here?
My favorite part about working here is the diversity of projects that we have. My favorite projects are really any of them that allow me to look at plants.
What’s an experience that stands out to you from working at Grouse Mountain?
The experience that stands out the most to me is the day we completed a large reclamation project (1,700 acres). It was a project that at the beginning there seemed to be no end in sight so, that last day was really a good feeling to know how much we had accomplished.
What do you love about Wyoming?
I love the vast landscapes of Wyoming, even when I think I’ve seen it all there is something new around the next corner.
What is your favorite past-time?
Looking at plants and riding snowmobiles!
Tell us a few fun facts about you!
I’ve done vegetation surveys in six states in the mountain west. I have a 100 lb. German Shepherd named Barli.
