- Jim Lovell
- Brian Sandefur
- Scott Frazier
- Jim Johnson
- Mike Sanctuary
- Briana Schultz
- Ronda Burns
- Ty Traxler
- Kara Stermitz
- Jeffrey Seward
- Susan Lovell
Jim Lovell: Principal and Owner
Jim Lovell is a stream restoration specialist with 20 years experience in the research and recovery of aquatic systems. Jim is known nationally for his expertise in stream restoration and the use of natural channel design and bioengineering methods to stabilize rivers and streams. This work has included the biological and geomorphic assessments of stream channels; design, permitting, and construction of fish habitat; restoration for threatened and endangered species; and relocation of streams and rivers. In addition, Jim has designed and constructed miles of bioengineered bank stabilization treatments to protect hazardous waste landfills, earth dams, and infrastructure; and to control sediment sources for water quality improvement.
Brian Sandefur: Wetland and Permitting Specialist
Brian Sandefur is a wetland scientist with over 8 years of experience in natural resource inventory, consulting, management and restoration. Brian began his consulting career helping landowners and farmers to implement sustainable agricultural and forestry practices and improve wildlife. He is also experienced in timber management and in designing and implementing habitat enhancement programs for both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Brian is certified in wetland delineation by the Wetland Training Institute and trained by the North Carolina Stream Restoration Institute in stream classification and survey. He has completed wetland delineations across thousands of acres and obtained permits for clientele ranging from individual landowners to master-planned communities. Brian is an effective project manager and a valuable member to multidisciplinary teams.
Scott Frazier: Soil and Wetland Scientist
Scott Frazier has 19 years of professional experience in both the public and private sectors. Scott specializes in wetland riparian habitat delineation and assessment, habitat restoration, mitigation planning, erosion and sediment control, regulatory compliance, and watershed assessment. He holds a Masters of Soil Science from the University of California-Riverside. Scott has a diverse background through his experience working on regional planning projects and development in Sacramento, California and Tahoe, Nevada. Scott has worked on projects ranging from delineation of wetlands on small acreages to large scale multi-million dollar environmental projects. Scott brings to Confluence’s clients unique scientific expertise in geology, groundwater contamination, soil sampling, and storm water pollution prevention. Scott enjoys a variety of outdoor recreation, including mountain biking and snowboarding.
Jim Johnson: GIS and Database Manager
Mr. Johnson has over sixteen years experience managing very large and complex spatial and non-spatial relational databases within the demanding environment of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, aka Superfund) Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, and Remediation Design process. Jim began his GIS career in 1992 with the University of Montana’s Riparian Wetland Research Program. Since 1996, he has provided effiecient GIS solutions to government and industry through interdisciplinary consulting firms, with mine site and riverine/riparian zone remediation the focus of his project experience.
Mike Sanctuary: Watershed and Stream Restoration Specialist
Mike incorporates his background in wildlife, fisheries, hydrology, and watershed science in the management of water quality and fisheries restoration projects. With 9 years of professional experience, his project management experience includes channel design and construction, fish passage and screening, revegetation, habitat enhancement, and grant acquisition. Mike formerly worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks coordinating several restoration projects in the upper Clark Fork River watershed, and has utilized that experience to broaden his geographical range of stream restoration projects cross much of Montana.
Briana Schultz, Stream Restoration Associate
Briana Schultz has specialized experience in stream restoration habitat assessments and ecosystem inventories. Beginning in 2008, Briana worked at the Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve in Idaho creating habitat assessment protocol specific to spring creeks. Briana assists on a variety of projects at Confluence, ranging from resource inventories to technical report writing. Briana was raised in Neenah, Wisconsin and moved to Bozeman in 1998. She holds a Master of Science degree in Land Resources and Environmental Science from Montana State University. She enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, gardening, and fishing.
Ronda Burns: P.E. Water Resources Engineer and Hydrologist
Ronda Burns has ten years of consulting and agency experience in water resources engineering. Ronda specializes in hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, and sediment transport modeling. She is a Certified Floodplain Manager, and has experience calculating bridge hydraulics and scour, designing river and stream restoration projects, developing floodplain maps, and conducting HEC-RAS and sediment models.
Ty Traxler: Water Resources Engineer
Ty has a diverse background with a broad technical base. He has a mechanical engineering education and his experience has ranged from designing handicap access devices for the aquatics industry to developing civil engineering plans and specifications for large residential and commercial projects. Ty has five years of consulting experience in the civil engineering field. His experience includes providing hydrological and hydraulic models for flood analysis of streams using HEC-RAS modeling and AutoCAD Civil 3D for floodplain delineation. Ty’s skills are uniquely utilized at Confluence for specialized projects including fish passage design, floodplain studies, and irrigation water management.
Kara Stermitz: Communications, Marketing, and Client Relations
Kara Stermitz has twenty years of experience in business management, marketing, and communication. As Confluence’s marketing administrator, Kara is responsible for Confluence’s marketing efforts; including assisting in proposal research and development, client relations, promotion, and creative design. Kara is an experienced facilitator and assists in goal setting and prioritization. Prior to working for Confluence, Kara, for 13 years operated Kara Stermitz Communication, a full service marketing and communication firm specializing in the field of natural resource communication. She has also been intricately involved in legislative processes, both at the state and national level for two decades. Kara has also served as Executive Director of two nonprofit organizations affiliated with natural resource policy and sustainable economic development. Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Carroll College, with graduate level coursework in both law and business administration. She is a certified business advisor. Kara also owns and operates The Elliott Guest House in Livingston, MT and is involved in her family’s fifth generation cattle ranch near Yellowstone National Park.
Jeffrey Seward: Administrative and Technical Assistant
Jeffrey Seward holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in German. He worked four summers for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratories in Sidney, Montana. Jeffrey was raised on a large farming operation near Richey, Montana. Jeffrey is responsible for office management, assisting with technical details on Confluence’ s projects, and providing technical support on GIS projects. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys hunting and outdoor activities.
Susan Lovell: Financial Officer
Susan Lovell serves as Confluence’s financial officer. She has over 20 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry and has managed the finances of growing companies from 3 to 45 employees. During her career, Sue has been responsible for accounts receivable and accounts payable, payroll, recordkeeping, financial projections, selecting and deploying financial software, office management, and leading a staff of four administrative support personnel. In other positions, she has worked as a licensed realtor, combine operator, and dump truck driver. Sue has also spent 10 years driving a school bus, which makes her not only a good driver, but has given her tremendous patience and superb negotiating skills. When she’s not working, Sue can be found flyfishing, bird hunting, or doting on one of her seven grandchildren.
