Our Council

Current Director of the Regulatory Affairs Division of Clean Water Services in Hillsboro. Former Environmental Engineer, Water Quality Manager and Deputy Administrator with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

While at Oregon DEQ he Developed the State’s first TMDL program along with the first Watershed Based NPDES permit for Clean Water Services. Received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Fisheries Science and a Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering, both from the Oregon State University.

Rodney graduated from Oregon State University in 1999 with a Forest Engineering degree.  After graduating, Rodney began his career with Stimson Lumber and has worked on company forestland in NW Oregon and SW Washington.  While working for Stimson, Rodney has at one point or another been involved with most aspects of the modern industrial forestry process.  At this time Rodney is a Silviculture Manager who is responsible for the reforestation, growth and health of the company’s timberlands.  Rodney currently lives in Banks with his wife and two daughters and serves the community of Banks as a volunteer firefighter.    

Stephen is a Project Manager for Washington County in the Operations and Maintenance division. He oversees culvert replacement projects restoring fish passage throughout the Tualatin basin as well as other road maintenance projects. Prior to becoming a Project Manager, Stephen worked as the Environmental Resource Specialist working with County staff and external partners to protect the watershed while maintaining Washington County roads.

Stephen has lived in the Willamette basin his entire life. He grew up in Philomath, graduated from Willamette University with a BA in Environmental Science, and received a MS in Environmental Science and Engineering from Oregon Graduate Institute – OHSU. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys farming and gardening with his wife, and chasing salmon and steelhead in Oregon’s coastal rivers.

Rahim Harji serves as Assistant City Manager for the City of Hillsboro.  A trained and certified engineer, Rahim began his professional career in Florida working for a civil engineering firm where his work focused on designing and building subdivisions and commercial centers.

After a few years in the corporate environment, Rahim felt the calling for public service in local government. He served community members through his work in the fields of public works, utilities management, and environmental services for Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, and Pinellas County. While at Pinellas County, Rahim earned several progressive promotions, rising from Senior Engineer to Public Works Director to Assistant County Administrator. In the latter two roles, Rahim led the organization’s response to major events such as Hurricane Irma, and the development of a regional transportation program and funding measure.

Now in Hillsboro, Rahim works to bring teams of people together to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. His experience working with exceptional people to achieve equitable outcomes for all community members has solidified Rahim’s commitment to public service. Outside of work, Rahim is passionate about playing and watching soccer, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

Tom Nygren, of Hillsboro, is a retired U.S. Forest Service forester. He is active with the Washington County Oregon Small Woodlands Association and the Oregon Tree Farm System and has been a member of the Tualatin River Watershed Council since 2000.

Greg joined the Council in 2017. A public employee with the Oregon State Legislature, he focuses heavily on advancing environmental policy. He holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of Washington, an M.S. in Environmental Science and Law from the University of Sydney, NSW, and a J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Outside of work, Greg is interested in lawn games, mountain views, and vegetarian grilling.

Erin first connected with the Council as an intern and officially became a Council member is 2014. Erin grew up in the Tualatin Basin and has fond memories playing in and around the creeks during her childhood. Erin received her Master of Environmental Science and Management from Portland State University and received a certificate of Geographic Information Systems from PSU as well. She currently works as a hydrologist where much of her work is focused on issues impacting water resources in the Tualatin Basin.

When not at work you can find Erin spending time with her two teenagers and three energetic pups.

Lacey grew up in Washington County and loves being a part of conserving its natural resources. She came to Tualatin SWCD as a Resource Technician in 2006, writing conservation plans and providing technical assistance to rural landowners. Lacey developed a strong knowledge of SWCD operations over the years and began leading the organization in 2011.

She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Oregon State University, followed by a Master’s in Environmental Management from Portland State University. When she is not leading the organization, you can find her enjoying time outdoors with her two kids and dog, spending time with family, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Rich Van Buskirk is a Professor of Environmental Science at Pacific University in Forest Grove, where he teaches undergraduate courses in conservation, restoration, GIS and natural history.

His research includes student surveys of elk foraging, collaboration with the Forest Service on rare butterfly conservation through coastal meadow restoration and a long-term exploration of American Kestrels and their relationship with Red-tailed Hawks. Dr. Van Buskirk’s research not only addresses ecological questions, but also serves to introduce the next generation of scientists to the challenges of conservation.

Jon grew up in northeastern Ohio, and at a young age, he became fascinated with the region's diverse wildlife, especially birds. To further pursue his interests in the outdoors, he moved to the West and has lived in Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska, and Oregon.

Jon has held positions involving natural resource management in the private and nonprofit sectors and he currently works for Scholls Valley Native Nursery, a major supplier of native plants to restoration projects in the Willamette Valley and southern Washington. As a Council member, Jon represents Trout Unlimited where he contributes his expertise in fly fishing, river ecology, and coldwater fisheries management.

Victoria grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city perfectly placed at the confluence of three major rivers. She spent her childhood constantly in the water boating, floating, and fishing. Her undergraduate career took her on a path of environmental policy, addressing the impacts of combined sewage overflow on water bodies and low-income communities.

Victoria moved to Portland to pursue environmental law at Lewis & Clark Law School. She graduated with an Environmental and Natural Resource Law Certificate and as a recipient of the Environmental Leadership Award. Her volunteer and clinic experiences have greatly influenced her work as an environmental advocate, focused on Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Her interests include whitewater rafting and kayaking, camping, and spending quality time with her dog and two bunnies.

Sara Kral is a Tualatin Valley native with a diverse background and experience in business, law, finance, and farming. She has managed multiple agriculture-related start-ups and young business enterprises, including Scholls Valley Native Nursery, Oregon’s largest exclusively native plant nursery, which she has owned and managed since 2003. Sara holds a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law and is completing a degree program in sustainable agriculture from Oregon State University. As a life learner, she is interested in utilizing this additional education to bring various local stakeholders together to identify common goals and work together toward healthier and more sustainable eco- and social systems. 

Sara provides seminars and trainings to schoolchildren, individuals, and organizations in the areas of permaculture & sustainability, wholistic agriculture, professional communications, and HR development & strategic planning. Sara also organizes and officiates weddings and memorial services of friends and family each summer. Volunteerism and giving to her community are important to Sara and she volunteers in elementary classrooms each week. Her friends, family, and work colleagues would share that Sara focuses her energy and skills on building and supporting healthy communities. 

Maly is a Source Water Protection Specialist at the City of Hillsboro, the managing agency of the Joint Water Commission. She works on source water protection projects in the Tualatin Basin to help ensure safe and reliable water in the Tualatin drinking water service area.  

Maly is from Los Angeles, CA and graduated with a BA in Geography from UCLA. She has resided in Portland, OR following her dream of living around greenery. Outside of work, Maly enjoys running and exploring all things the PNW has to offer.