Our Team and Board

Our Team

Shelly Kopinski

Director of Programs

Shelly Kopinski (She/Her/Hers) has called the Silver State her home for over 25 years and has chosen to raise her family here.  Nevada’s outdoor resources have provided a unique and beautiful space that has allowed her three boys and two large dogs to grow and explore.  Even though Shelly loves to travel, she always makes it back home to Nevada!

Shelly began her tenure with Get Outdoors Nevada (GON) as an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2014 where she began her career in interpretation and was able to utilize her love of the outdoors while expanding her knowledge of southern Nevada.  Shelly received her B.S. in Natural Resources from Oregon State University and began working for GON full-time in 2015, became Education Program Manager in 2016, Education Program Director in 2018, and was promoted to Director of Programs in November 2022.

Working for GON has intensified Shelly’s connection to her community and she enjoys the opportunity to replicate that through educational programming.  Providing new experiences, perspectives, opportunities, and resources to youth outdoors enables her to introduce a natural world without limits!

Cheresa Taing

Education Program Manager

Cheresa Taing (She/Her/Hers) is a dedicated Education Program Manager at Get Outdoors Nevada, where she has had the privilege of serving for the past eight years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) and is a Certified Interpretive Guide recognized by the National Association for Interpretation.

Cheresa’s love for plants and animals has driven her to share her enthusiasm through education. Currently, she manages the Native Habitat and Next Gen Science Programs at Get Outdoors Nevada, where her goal is to create thriving wildlife habitats within urban spaces while fostering a love for science and nature among the younger generation. She aims to inspire individuals to embrace their roles as protectors and stewards of our home, the Mojave Desert.

In addition to her professional commitments, Cheresa is pursuing a Master’s in Urban Leadership at UNLV’s School of Public Policy and Leadership. Through her studies, she seeks to understand the complexities of urban environments and develop innovative solutions that promote sustainability and inclusivity. Furthermore, she volunteers her time and expertise with The Nature Conservancy, contributing to its mission of preserving and protecting the environment.

During her leisure time, Cheresa unleashes her inner plant enthusiast, engaging in intense ‘plant ogling’ sessions and capturing their endless inspiration in her artwork. With an open mind, she approaches her work, constantly seeking to learn from others and collaborate to create positive change.

Jennifer Tobin

Education Program Manager

Jennifer Tobin (She/Her/Hers) grew up in California where she enjoyed playing in the backyard, riding horses, hiking, and vacationing around the country with her family. She has been passionate about nature from a young age. However, this passion really took off in high school when she became an avid birder. Birding led to her leading bird walks, teaching classes on birds, participating in bird banding, working on a variety of field jobs in the southwestern US, volunteering as a nature guide at a lodge in Costa Rica, and learning to identify other living organisms. She loves to spend time outside, where every outing is like a giant game of I spy and you never know what you are going to find.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Biology and master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Jennifer worked for over five years as a field biologist. She performed a variety of jobs including bird surveys and banding, small mammal trapping and surveys, vegetation surveys, habitat restoration, trail clearing, radio telemetry, storm water sampling, and desert tortoise surveys. In 2018, she shifted gears into formal teaching and taught biology in a CCSD school for three years. However, the open air continued to call to her heart. For this reason, she has decided to return to her outdoor roots to combine her joy of teaching with her enthusiasm for nature while working as an Education Program Manager with Get Outdoors Nevada.

Mihaela Genova

Volunteer Program Manager

Mihaela Genova (She/Her/Hers) was born in Bulgaria and relocated to Las Vegas at a young age. She always felt a strong connection to animals and outdoor spaces, prompting her to turn her passion into a career by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Science with a minor in Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Her time at the university sparked a passion for paleontology. She loves learning about the Earth’s past, as well as previous climate change events, and how we can apply this knowledge to today’s climate situation. She volunteers at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum where she has prepared numerous fossils for further research. She hopes to one day pursue a PhD in paleontology and become a museum curator or research professor.

In her free time, she loves to spend time with her dogs and go on long hikes where she can explore the beauty of the Mojave Desert. While she prides herself on being a desert creature, she also enjoys spending countless hours at the beach. She loves to learn about new ways we can help our environment thrive and hopes to be able to influence younger generations to take care of our planet and all its other inhabitants.

Tayler Lundvall

Social Media & Communications Strategist

Tayler Lundvall (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas, and is the Social Media & Communications Strategist for Get Outdoors Nevada. Her interest in the outdoors started at a young age when she learned about wildlife conservation, but grew when she learned more about sustainability and reducing waste in college. Tayler acquired her Bachelors in Communication Studies with a secondary focus in Urban studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2020.

Tayler began exploring sustainability and nature conservation while in school and developed a passion for it. She translated her avocation for sustainability into an online presence through social media, finding ways to educate others on how to be more eco-conscious. With the desire to make a positive impact, she is now focused on changing how people view and engage with the outdoors.

In her free time, you will find Tayler reading books and hiking with her friends. She also enjoys learning languages and augmenting her knowledge in environmental studies. Tayler hopes to inspire future generations to take interest in sustainability and the environment.

Lydia Wolfe

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Lydia Wolfe (She/Her/Hers) has lived in Las Vegas since 2009 and has always had an interest in learning about culture and connecting to nature. One way that she was able to do this was to major in Anthropology at UNLV where she is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in December 2022 with a minor in American Indigenous Studies. Currently she also interns with IndigenousAF Inc. and volunteers with The Cupcake Girls.

Lydia wants people to be able to create a community with an outdoors culture and to be able to help those who want to spend time outdoors recognize the importance of leaving no trace behind aside from our footprints. She loves learning about the connection that humans and nature have and what we could do in order to help them prosper with the education we provide to current and future generations. She hopes to one day be able to walk down a trail and not have to pick up waste from humans so frequently; as well as to preserve and educate more people about those who lived on these Lands in the past, who currently lives on them, and what the Lands may look like in the future.

In her free time, she likes to be able to play with her chihuahua named Delilah who is 12 years old and her retriever/border collie mix named Sage who is 6 years old. If she is not hanging out with her pets or family, she likes to draw outside and get inspiration from what she sees in the clouds. If she has a day or evening of free time, she enjoys hiking at Red Rock or Mt. Charleston and check out the natural grocery store that is available to us on BLM Land.

Roslyn Villa

Education Program Coordinator

Roslyn Villa (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas, though her love and appreciation for the outdoors grew as as she traveled to Mexico in her childhood. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Nevada, Reno, she spent half a year in San Ramon, Costa Rica, where she worked to educate youth and adults on sustainable waste.

With the desire to make a difference in the community she grew up in, she spent the next three years teaching Earth and Environmental Science for the Clark County School District. During the time she spent as a teacher, she realized the strong impact the outdoors had on the personal wellbeing of her students. In her work, she hopes to inspire the younger generations a desire for a sustainable lifestyle and overall appreciation for the environment.

Vanessa Buensalida

Office Administrator

Vanessa Buensalida (She/Her/Hers) grew up in Las Vegas and was previously employed with Get Outdoors Nevada as a Volunteer Program Coordinator from 2020-2021. She has since then decided to return to the GON team in a new role as Office Administrator. She received an associate’s degree in Business Administration and hopes to continue furthering her education in the near future.

Her love of stewardship and involvement in the community through volunteering helped Vanessa decide that she wanted to forge a career in the nonprofit sector. However, outdoor advocacy wasn’t something that piqued her interest until she began working with GON. The work that the organization does has inspired her to learn more about our outside spaces and how we can better care for them. As Office Administrator, Vanessa hopes to gain knowledge on the day-to-day operations and how to run a successful nonprofit. One day she may even decide to start her own!

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Vanessa plans to take the knowledge she acquires with Get Outdoors Nevada and encourage others to be more mindful when recreating outdoors.

Danny Regan

Education Fellow

Danny (He/Him/His) is a Massachusetts native who moved to Las Vegas in 2022. He graduated from Columbia University in 2022 where he played Division I baseball and joined the rock climbing team while earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. His experience as both an athlete and biologist provides him with a unique opportunity to connect Nevada’s residents with nature.

Danny’s interest in conservation was influenced by teachers, friends, and social media during his education and continues to motivate his career. He feels strongly that the consequences of climate change will challenge current and subsequent generations, and he hopes that his work at Get Outdoors Nevada will play a small role in creating big change in the way we think about and engage with nature.

In his free time, Danny enjoys being outside with friends. Whether he’s picnicking, hiking, or rock climbing, he finds peace when sharing the outdoors with others.

Iris Bratton

Iris Bratton

Education Fellow

Iris Bratton (she/her/hers) has been a resident of Nevada since she was five years old. Growing up in the Las Vegas Valley, she has always loved the local scenery and community. She is from a small family that loves animals and national parks. Many of her childhood days were spent enjoying scenic views and admiring wildlife. To this day, she is an avid lover of zoos and aquariums.

Iris began her career in Hospitality but discovered her passion for education and conservation working for nine years at the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Wishing to continue her dedication to the community and planet, she is honored and proud to be a part of the Get Outdoors Nevada education team.

Noemi Flores-Sahagun

Noemi Flores-Sahagun

Education Fellow

Noemi Flores-Sahagun (She/Her/Hers) was born in Mexico and relocated to Las Vegas at a young age. She holds a Bachelor’s in Spanish for the Professions from UNLV and is currently working on her Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management from NAU. Her passion for the outdoors began at a young age from hearing her mother’s adventures of growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

Noemi’s mission is to create an inclusive outdoor environment by offering programming tailored to the needs of diverse communities and ensuring that everyone has equal access to the resources provided.

In her free time, Noemi enjoys hiking through Red Rock, The Spring Mountains, and Valley of Fire. She also loves spending time at home reading and watching movies with her partner and cat, Mackenzie.

Frankie Lopez

Education Fellow

Frankie Lopez (she/they/any pronouns) was born in California but has moved around the country until settling down in Las Vegas in 2014. Frankie attends the University of Nevada, Las Vegas going for a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Since 2017, Frankie has been involved in community organizing while juggling work and attending university.

With the desire to be more engaged in her community, Frankie joined the Get Outdoors Nevada (GON) team in 2023 as an Education Fellow. Her time at GON has inspired her and given her new insight for potential life paths and opportunities she can take.

In her free time, Frankie enjoys hanging out with friends and trying to accomplish the many items on her to-do list, such as reading, writing, drawing, and playing Dungeons and Dragons, to name a few.

Rheanna Esparza

Volunteer Coordinator 

Rheanna Esparza (She/Her/Hers) currently serves as a Volunteer Coordinator for Get Outdoors Nevada (GON). Being part of the Native community (Indigenous Zacatecos/ Chichimeca), the outdoors is something she has always been passionate about protecting, enjoying, and making accessible for everyone. Xitlamanaui tlalli, Protect Earth.

Constance Thurm

Volunteer Coordinator 

Constance (She/Her/Hers) moved to Las Vegas in 2018 and works as a Volunteer Coordinator for Get Outdoors Nevada. From catching frogs in streams as a little girl to volunteering at an endangered wolf sanctuary as a teen, Constance has always had an interest in the natural wonders of the world. Constance graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2022 with a Bachelors in Psychology and Human Services. She hopes to use her knowledge in environmental psychology and role as Volunteer Coordinator to enhance cultural and environmental resources in the Las Vegas community!

Constance grew a passion for the outdoors from an early age through family and friends. Much of her childhood was spent outdoors exploring and catching critters in the Midwest wilderness. The outdoors provided an outlet to decompress from all of life’s stress. This is where she first connected the importance of psychological well-being with exposure to accessible, biodiverse, natural environments.

Constance loves to spend her freetime going on nature walks and spending time with her family. Constance hopes to inspire others to take care of and advocate for natural green spaces through stewardship events with Get Outdoors Nevada.

Andrew Parker

Volunteer Coordinator 

Andrew Parker (he/him/his) was born and raised in Las Vegas. Ever since he was young, Andrew has always had an interest in geology and enjoyed exploring the outdoors. In 2018 he graduated from College of Southern Nevada with an Associate’s degree in Earth Science. He also attended UNLV and in 2021 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. After college Andrew worked as an inspector for soil. Just over a year later he found it was time for a change. He currently works at Get Outdoors Nevada as a volunteer program coordinator.

Andrew spends his time at home keeping updated on geologic topics, homeschooling his children, and volunteering. Right now, he volunteers for the Plastic Earth Project as a project assistant and fabricator. Some of his many hobbies are collecting fossils and minerals, playing music and camping.

Our Board

Susie Black-Manriquez

Cox Communications

Susie Black-Manriquez is Manager of Communications at Cox Las Vegas. As part of the Cox Las Vegas Public and Government Affairs department, she has responsibility for internal and external communications and media relations and serves as the Cox Conserves Employee Engagement Chair for Cox’s Southwest Region. She joined the company in 2019 after more than two decades at the former Faiss Foley Warren Public Relations and Public Affairs agency (now The Warren Group).

A public relations veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Susie worked as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, serving as manager of the public-private Water Conservation Coalition for more than a decade.

Susie is a graduate of the Vegas Chamber’s Leadership Las Vegas program, a past-president and current member of the Las Vegas Valley Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and member of Women in Cable Telecommunications. A Girl Scout co-leader and volunteer, she received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in recognition of her service to Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and has been recognized with numerous industry awards for her work.

She is a graduate of the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada and is married to Steve Manriquez. Together they have two daughters – a college freshman and a high school junior.

Justin Cohen

BTV

Treasurer, Justin Cohen (He/Him/His) is the founder of BTV Marketing Group, a Las Vegas-based Marketing & Advertising Agency. With over 20 years spent growing organizations, Justin possesses a unique collection of marketing, strategy and leadership skills. He joined the Get Outdoors Nevada board in 2015, and is currently serving as Treasurer.

In addition to his board service with GON, Justin is a 20+ year Wish Granter for Make a Wish of Southern Nevada and a 2015 Graduate of Leadership Las Vegas. Through his work as a marketer, board member and advisor, Justin has helped non-profit organizations throughout southern Nevada grow and thrive.

Justin hails from Boston and attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. When he’s not focusing his energies on his twins Parker and Reed, he can be found trail running and hiking around Southern Nevada with his rescue pup Hazel.

Sean Coulter

Simpson Coulter Studio

Board Chair, Sean Coulter, AIA, is principal and design director at Simpson Coulter Studio. His leadership brings over 25 years of experience on large-scale projects for various public and private entities. Sean attended Louisiana Tech University and obtained both Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts degrees, which inspires his intensive approach to design. His oversight of the design team at Simpson Coulter Studio infuses this unique background into the creative process ensuring that clients receive a holistic design that successfully balances functionality, innovation, and craft in its execution.

His diverse professional portfolio has established him as an expert in his field, and his leadership in these typologies has resulted in multiple award-winning projects that have propelled the firm’s standing as experts within their community.

Sean believes that architecture and community-building are intertwined and strives to offer his expertise past the boundaries of his immediate professional environment.  He has served as president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Las Vegas and Nevada State Chapters and was awarded the AIA Nevada Service Award in 2010 for his contributions to the profession.  He has been an adjunct professor and juror for UNLV’s School of Architecture and has served as a professional advisor for Clark High School and the Las Vegas Academy.  He also encourages his staff to volunteer and provide mentorships that students and young architects rely on for future success within the field. In his spare time, Sean enjoys photography, biking, and nurturing his unhealthy obsession with Star Wars.

John Curran

Prospect Street Capital

John Curran is the Senior Vice President of Development for Prospect Street Capital, a local commercial real estate firm that has acquired or developed over one million square feet of space and invested over $200 million into southern Nevada . Prior to that, he served in a similar role with Dapper Companies, and also as the Real Estate Portfolio Manager for Downtown Project, the $350 million private redevelopment effort founded by the former Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh.

John received a B.A. in Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to complete a Masters of City Planning at Penn Design. After eight years on the East Coast, he ultimately missed the mountains and sunshine of his hometown of Las Vegas, and returned in 2013. He also serves on the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission and is active with the Urban Land Institute. Outside of work, he can usually be found skiing, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors with his family.

Peter Guzman

Opa Group and Latin Chamber of Commerce

Peter Guzman, President of the Opa Group, is an accomplished small business owner, real estate investor and developer. Having lived most of his life in Nevada, his work has been recognized nationally by major real estate organizations with over $600 million in sales. Guzman has advised and worked to transition many publicly-traded companies as well as privately-held companies in all facets of business from real estate to contract procurement. Mr. Guzman has been recognized by numerous senators and congressmen for his creative and impactful contributions to public policy around affordable housing that increase minority home ownership and business entrepreneurship.

As President of The Latin Chamber of Commerce, Peter Guzman leads the Hispanic Chamber which has provided services for the community for over 40 years and continues to grow its dynamic membership. “The Latin Chamber of Commerce is a beacon of light for the business community and a beacon of hope for those in need of assistance in the Southern Nevada community.”

Guzman participates in a number of boards and community engagements, including the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Mob Museum Board, Nevada State College, the Nevada Governor’s appointed Judicial Selection Committee, and vice-chairman of Workforce Connections, overseeing a $25 million annual budget. Guzman is married to a fellow Nevadan who is an executive in the gaming resort industry. They have one daughter and one son. “I believe that true success is only as strong as the family foundation.”

Zaniah Jordan

Greenberg Traurig

Zaniah Jordan is an Associate at Greenberg Traurig in the Corporate Practice Group, which includes the areas of corporate governance and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities offerings for public and private companies. Originally from California, Zaniah attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for her undergraduate degree and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Williams S. Boyd School of Law for her Juris Doctorate.

In addition to her position as a Board Member for Get Outdoors Nevada, Zaniah serves as the Networking and Career Advancement Committee Chair for the Las Vegas National Bar Association.

Zaniah enjoys spending time with her fiancé, hiking, cooking, and watching documentaries about the ocean when not working.

Rory Kay

McDonald Carano

Rory Kay is a partner in the Las Vegas office of McDonald Carano LLP. Rory handles all aspects of commercial and complex litigation, including representing clients before the Nevada Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Originally from Nebraska, Rory attended the University of Nebraska for his undergraduate degrees and the University of San Diego School of Law for his juris doctor. For his legal work, Rory has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of Nevada’s best appellate lawyers by Best Lawyers, and Legal Elite by the Nevada Business Magazine in employment and labor law, commercial and complex litigation, and appellate law.

His community involvement includes extensive pro bono work through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada where he represents abused and neglected children placed in foster care. He also represents Nevada’s veterans through the Nevada Attorney General’s Office of Military Legal Assistance.

When not working, Rory enjoys tennis, golf, road and mountain biking throughout Nevada, and hiking with his chocolate lab Marvin

Kevin Lang

Southwest Gas Corporation

Vice Chair, Kevin Lang (He/Him/His), is the Director of Engineering Services for Southwest Gas Corporation based in Las Vegas.  Kevin has been with Southwest Gas since 2003.  He has held various engineering and operations positions at the Company’s Southern California division and in the corporate headquarters in Las Vegas.  He grew up moving around various parts of the United States and has called Nevada home since 2011.

His current job responsibilities include oversight of natural gas pipeline safety compliance, design standards, environmental programs and compliance, metering and regulation, corrosion control, SCADA systems, communications support, land rights acquisition, pipeline security, and mutual assistance programs.  Kevin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Nevada.

Kevin enjoys his time outdoors with his family and two dogs hiking and exploring Nevada back roads, byways, and trails.

Robert Levrant

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Rob Levrant (He/Him/His) has been at UNLV since 2015 where he serves as the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), a nationally recognized, volunteer-based learning community of retired and semi-retired adults. Previously, Rob served the city of Las Vegas in a community engagement and outreach role for the Office of City Council, where he worked closely with Get Outdoors Nevada in improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods, trails, and parks. Rob is completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology in May of 2022, and volunteers with Scouts BSA and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Greta Seidman

Opportunity 180

Greta Seidman  is Director of Public Affairs activities at Opportunity 180, a nonprofit that is committed to ensuring every kid has access to a great school in their neighborhood that puts them on track to be college and career-ready, regardless of their zip code.

Prior to joining the Opportunity 180 organization, Greta was directing public affairs with Brightline West, the proposed high speed rail connecting Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.  She also had served as the Director of Communications for Nevada HAND, Nevada’s largest nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager, creating and implementing strategic messaging campaigns and leading media relations, crisis management, stakeholder awareness, and government affairs activities for the organization.

Greta was also proud to be part of the team at the Las Vegas Chamber for over seven years, serving as Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, showrunner for Preview Las Vegas from 2016-2018, and editor and publisher of the Business Voice magazine.

She holds a BA and MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Las Vegas and was named one of VegasInc.’s “40 Under 40” in 2018.

Mike Shohet

Compass Development

Board Secretary Mike Shohet serves as President for Compass Development.  Prior to that he served as the Executive Vice President of Real Estate for Nevada HAND, a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, construction, and management of quality affordable housing for low-income Nevadans.

Mike has spent 23 years in various roles in the real estate development industry including the last 15 years here in Las Vegas.  Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University in Canada and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.  Mike is a past president and current board member of the Southern Nevada Chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association.  In 2017, Mike was recognized nationally by NAIOP for his outstanding leadership as a Chapter President.  By appointment of the Clark County Commission, he also serves as a member of the Clark County Building Department Enterprise Fund Advisory Committee.

In his leisure time, Mike coaches ski racing for the Brian Head ski team and is an avid mountain biker, rock climber, and hiker.  He enjoys sharing all of those experiences with his fiancée, Jen, and kids, Sophie and Ethan.

Jessica Stanley

Teach for America

Jessica Stanley (She/Her/Hers) has worked in education in Las Vegas for the last 10 years. She is currently the Managing Director of Teacher Leadership Development at Teach for America Las Vegas, a mission-driven non-profit organization that focuses on ensuring every child in our community has access to an equitable and excellent education.

Originally from Arizona, Jessica received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arizona before moving to Nevada and receiving her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Science Education from UNLV. She found her passion for science education while teaching 9th and 12th grade science at Mojave High School in North Las Vegas. She then coached science and Special Education teachers in Title 1 schools across the Las Vegas Valley for several years before moving into her current non-profit position leading the Teach For America Las Vegas program for first and second year teachers.

Jessica and her husband, Mason, have a two-year-old, Archer, and love spending time outdoors as a family- especially hiking at Red Rock, camping in the Spring Mountains, and fishing at Lake Mead.

Greg Walch

Southern Nevada Water Authority

Greg Walch is the General Counsel of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD).  He is a member of the SNWA and LVVWD Executive Team, overseeing the legal department of both agencies.  Greg’s work emphasis is on forging relationships among Colorado River stakeholders to help foster new solutions to supply and demand issues impacting the sustainability of the Colorado River Basin.

Greg received a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University in 1985, and thereafter worked with Layne Western Company as an engineer designing and overseeing construction of water well systems for industrial and municipal clients.  Having tired of math, Greg obtained a law degree in May 1992 from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law, and has since practiced environmental, water, land use, mining, eminent domain and administrative law throughout Nevada.  In 1996, Walch co-founded the law firm now known as Cotton, Driggs, Walch, Holley, Woloson & Thompson and is recognized by Chambers USA, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Martindale Hubbell for his work in environmental and natural resources law.

Walch and his wife Shauna have two sons, Rowan and Quin.  Various combinations of family members like to hike, ski, fish, bike, relax, walk the dogs, cook, photograph the outdoors, work in several different community organizations, and generally spend as much time as possible at the family cabin in the mountains.