Speaker Bios
Doug Barrett
Doug Barrett is the newly elected Chief of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. Chief Barrett was serving his second term as Tribal Council Position #6 and was previously appointed as Vice-Chair in April 2023. The newly-elected Chief brings dedication, passion and experience to the role. He spent his career in Tribal Government committed to the well-being of Tribal Members, teaching prevention services and guiding families about culture, tradition and history. Chief Barrett is a Siuslaw Tribal Member and 3rd generation Councilman. He is a Canoe Steersman (Skipper) and passionate about Canoe Journey, an annual event that tribes in the Pacific Northwest participate in to celebrate their heritage.
Jesse Beers
Jesse Beers is a sha’yuushtl’a uhl quuiich hiich (Siuslaw and Lower Umpqua person) and is an Enrolled Citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. After coming back from college Jesse worked within his Tribe as an Indian Child Welfare Caseworker until a position opened in the Culture Department, where he saw an opportunity to lower recidivism; knowing culture is prevention. Since that time he has worked to assist and support his Tribe in the continuation of their culture. In his current position as, Cultural Stewardship Manager with his Tribes’ Culture and Natural Resources Department he’s been able to work in an even broader capacity. He credits his kamtlma (Great Grandmother) and other Elders for his path and looks forward to sharing what knowledge he was given to assist in a good way.
Annette Chihorek
Annette is a year-round standup paddleboarder, driven to explore all of Oregon and the surrounding areas one lake or river at a time. Always planning for the next paddle, she has created the SWT Planner app to bring together useful resources for flatwater paddling, such as mapping, weather, route suggestions, and water warnings.
Patrick Dill
Patrick Dill is a Park Ranger at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park. He has been with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department since 2018. In preparation for his career as a Park Ranger, he earned his Bachelors degree in Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership at OSU-Cascades in Bend--which included an 11-day river expedition on the Lower Deschutes, and a 23-day mountaineering expedition in the Three Sisters Wilderness. In his down time, Patrick enjoys spending quality time with his wife, hiking to waterfalls, beachcombing, and crafting creative projects. At Honeyman, he is newly the interpretive ranger and is excited to breathe new life into the park’s interpretive programs.
Patti Godwin
Patti Godwin is one of the founders of Florence Oregon Area Kayakers, which started in 2016 and now has close to 1,300 members on Facebook. Patti and her husband, Joe, have been in our area since 2006, full time since 2016. She’s been kayaking for almost 25 years in the Spokane area, and during her travels to many states, including Mexico, Greece, Italy, Argentina and New Zealand--and paddling adventures are always included. Our area is abundant with waterways and getting on them is the best time spent. She’s been inspired to share her enthusiasm while making new friends and building community. It’s her fulfilling goal to create paddling events that promote and educate safe practices while we all delight in Mother Nature.
Jim Grano
Jim Grano taught at Mapleton High School for 15 years and at Siuslaw Middle School for 18 years. In 1995, he started the Siuslaw Stream Team for 7th grade --- a combination of classroom studies and field trips learning hands-on about watershed and salmon stewardship with ODFW, USFS, Florence STEP, SWC, OWEB, and other partners. After retiring in 2007, Jim started the grant-funded Watershed Studies Education Program for elementary school grades providing earlier classroom instruction and field trips. He has been a Siuslaw Watershed Council Board member for more than twenty years, and he serves on the Board of Directors; he is also an active member of the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative and Mapleton Lions Club. “The Siuslaw Watershed is a treasure we share. What a privilege to join with other dedicated stewards to restore and enhance it all these years”, he said.
Jay Guettler
Jay has been falling into puddles since he could walk. The puddles got bigger, but the falling into them didn’t seem to let up much. He’s been paddling a SUP for a few years after his wife, Pam, got tired of him going back to the display at Costco at an end-of-season sale. “Just buy it, so we can get on with the rest of our shopping” or something like that. Jay has lived in Florence for almost seven years and has been on several of its lakes and waterways in different kinds of boats—fishing, kayaking, SUP, and bodyboards. For SUPs, he’s been on the Siltcoos River trail, Woahink Lake, Cleawox Lake, Siuslaw River, Sweet Creek, and the North Fork of the Siuslaw River. Some several times each.
Donna Hendrickson
Donna is a dedicated professional with a passion for paddleboarding and adventure. As a Certified PaddleFit Coach and SUP Instructor, she shares her expertise through her business, SUPVentureUs, offering exhilarating SUP retreats both locally in the Pacific Northwest and internationally. With over a decade of experience in stand-up paddling, she’s not just an enthusiast, she’s addicted to the sport. When not immersed in healthcare, she can be found exploring the stunning landscapes of the PNW from the serene vantage point of the water. As an NSP Team ambassador, she inspires others to embrace the beauty of nature through her paddling journeys. Join her on the water for an unforgettable experience blending fitness, nature, and adventure.
Julia Johanos
Julia Johanos is the new Interpretive Specialist for the Siuslaw National Forest out of the Central Coast Ranger District. Before her current role, she previously worked as the Community Engagement and Education Coordinator for the Siuslaw and served several seasons as an interpretive field ranger. An avid adventure enthusiast with a passion for conservation and service, Julia loves finding new opportunities to inspire stewardship and connect communities with their local public lands.
Joanne Kittel
Joanne Kittel is the Co-Chair of View the Future and Yachats Trails Leader and a retired psychotherapist. Kittel has property next to Cape Perpetua for 38 years. She sought out Tribal help in 1995 to bring the historical truth about Yachats area's local First Nation history via a well-researched article written under the supervision of the Confederated tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) and Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), now in its second revision. Her husband and she were the first people in the State of Oregon to donate a public trail, part of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) connecting Cape Perpetua to the town of Yachats. With tribal permission, she named the trail Amanda after a true story about the prison camp years. View the Future the nonprofit she co-chairs developed 7 interpretive signs about Yachats’ local First Nation history that line the Amanda and Yaxaik Trails, wrote a land acknowledgment all under Tribal supervision and helps to coordinate with Tribal members events commemorating that history. Kittel has been building and maintaining trails for 29 years, and with View the Future raises funds for hiking trails, and actively advocates for cultural as well as environmental preservation. She collaborates with a number of agencies on trail development, most recently completing the first suspension bridge on the OCT with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, CTSI, CTCLUSI, Siuslaw National Forest, Angell Job Corps, Lincoln County, City of Yachats, and their Trails Crew among others. In 2009, Ms. Kittel was given the highest honor for a non-tribal member by the CTCLUSI to be one of two honorary members. In 2023, Kittel was given the President’s Award by the National Association of State Park Directors. Walter Orchard and Kittel recently co-authored a book, Yachats Trails: An Illustrated History.
Kim Miller
Kim swapped the snowy landscapes of Minnesota for the serene shores of Florence, Oregon, alongside her beloved late husband back in 2015. In her Minnesota days, Kim was no stranger to the rush of whitewater kayaking, but she quickly discovered it wasn't her cup of tea. However, in the summer of 2022, a fateful encounter with flatwater kayaker, Patti Godwin, changed everything. From the moment her paddle dipped into calm waters, Kim was hooked – it was love at the first bob on the water. Despite being a novice in the world of kayaking, Kim wasted no time in making up for lost years. In 2023 alone, she paddled an impressive 711 miles across 105 blissful trips. But Kim's thirst for adventure doesn't end there. With her sights set on new horizons, her next ambitious goal is to paddle her way through all 50 states of the USA. From the rugged coastlines of Maine to the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii, Kim is determined to leave no paddle stroke unturned. So, if you ever find yourself strolling along the shores of Florence, Oregon, keep an eye out for Kim Miller – the retiree turned kayaking enthusiast who proves that age is just a number when it comes to chasing your dreams and exploring the wonders of the great outdoors.
Kevin Mittge
JKevin Mittge is the Adult Services Librarian at the Siuslaw Public Library in Florence, Oregon, and an avid hiker. Combining his interest in finding information and resources for patrons with his hiking interests, he will be speaking about “where to hike next?” Looking at print resources, websites, Facebook groups, free map sites, and apps, Kevin will describe many of the resources hikers and walkers can use to identify their next great adventure. Kevin has been hiking for many years, starting with the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington near his hometown, to exploring hiking opportunities on the Oregon Coast, the Cascades, eastern Oregon and Washington, the Rockies, and the American Southwest.
Dina Pavlis
Dina Pavlis is an avid hiker, outdoor enthusiast, and nature photographer who loves living on and exploring Oregon's wild coast. She served as a U.S. Forest Service volunteer interpretive ranger on the Oregon Dunes for over 20 years on the central Oregon coast. She is producer and host of the syndicated radio show, "Beyond Your Front Door Northwest," and author of "Secrets of the Oregon Dunes." She's been featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Think Out Loud," NPR's "All Things Considered," and has appeared in articles for the BBC and Smithsonian Magazine. Dina is a Road Scholar featured presenter, Oregon Coast Quests builder and member of the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative. She has given numerous talks and guided outings in the Central Oregon Coast region.
Chance Rey
Chance Rey is with Oregon Paddle Sports, which has been Eugene’s premiere paddling retailer for over 12 years. Oregon Paddle Sports specialize in kayaking, canoeing, rafting and paddle boarding. We offer sales, outfitting, rentals, lessons, and community support. Chance has been managing Oregon Paddle Sports for over 4 years now. He has had a passion for the water since childhood and loves to share it with others either through paddling with the public, chatting on the sales floor or supporting and participating in numerous paddling groups and events. Find him at the shop cooking up new product ideas or exploring local waterways with his dog Laszlo.
Tommy Swearingen
A former professor and research professional in a prior life, Tommy was an outdoor shop owner and ACA instructor. He started river canoeing 50 years ago and has been paddling whitewater kayaks almost as long. He enjoys just about any kind of paddling.
Patricia Whereat Phillips
Patricia Whereat Phillips is a citizen of the Confederated Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians of miluk Coos descent. She teaches the tribe’s languages and has had a long interest in traditional stories and ethnobotany.
Noelle Windesheim
Noelle Windesheim is the Central Coast Stewardship Coordinator for the Trailkeepers of Oregon and on the Board of Directors for the Siuslaw Watershed Council. She moved to Florence in June 2023 from Alaska where she built the volunteer program for Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Noelle has an adventurous spirit with a passion for community, trails, and making the outdoors a welcoming space for everyone.
Jennifer Yocum
Jennifer Yocum has paddled her way through much of the wetter western parts of Oregon for the last 16 years. She serves as the Florence Oregon Area Kayaker’s very unofficial Safety Coach and water song balladeer. Jennifer is a storyteller, substitute teacher with the Siuslaw School District, singer, and dog mommy. She is so grateful to have found her people on the waters of Florence.