Brian grew up in Southern California. Primarily a city kid, he spent many summers of his youth on his grandparents' cattle ranch in northwest Nebraska. He learned a lot about ranching and farming and was the only kid in his boy scout troop to ever earn the farm mechanics merit badge. When not helping out with chores he spent time fishing for trout in the stream that came through the ranch and hiking in the sandstone bluffs. These experiences led to a lifelong interest in and love of the outdoors.
Brian started at the Land Conservancy as a volunteer in 1994 and never left. He began by working on GIS / digital mapping which was a rare skill at the time. Brian learned about digital mapping as part of a Masters Degree in geography from Chico State. Working on such early projects as the Rural Settlement Pattern Strategy Reports and the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt Plan he specialized in conservation planning and resource mapping. In 1997 he was assigned the project that has defined his career at the Land Conservancy, creation of the San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed Enhancement Project. Since that time he focused primarily on managing restoration projects on local creeks and doing conservation easements and acquisitions on behalf of steelhead trout. Since 1997 he has overseen the installation of over 30 physical restoration projects including erosion control, water quality improvement, revegetation and improving migration access for steelhead trout. He is a regular presenter at conferences such as the Salmonid Restoration Federation.
In 2001 Brian was assigned the Deputy Director position at the Land Conservancy. While still managing projects he helped a growing staff implement a great variety of tasks that are critical to non-profits and particularly, land trusts. This paved the way for Brian's eventual selection for the Executive Director position following the retirement of long-time Director Ray Belknap in 2005.
When not at the office, it is common to see Brian along any one of San Luis Obispo County's trails or paddling a kayak in his home area of Morro Bay. You may also see Brian on stage in places such as the Mission Plaza playing bass for local band Up in the Air. When asked about his long tenure at the Conservancy and in San Luis Obispo County he said, "I love people and land and we have great examples of both here on the central coast. It has been an honor to serve the public trust as a staffer at the Land Conservancy".