The Gifford Pinchot Task Force Board of Directors
Carole Richmond, Chair
Carole has been a policy and research analyst for the State of Washington for the past 16 years, specializing in natural resources and environmental issues. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in political science and received a master's degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington. Carole has served on the board of Wolf Haven International and the board of SPEECH (South Puget Environmental Education Clearing House). She grew up in France and the United States and has traveled widely.
Heather Erickson, Director
Heather Erickson is a terrestrial ecosystem ecologist. A Northwest native, she has a strong connection with Northwest landscapes, and has worked in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on and off for over 30 years. In addition to local coniferous forests and riparian ecosystems, she has worked in boreal wetlands, mixed-conifer forests in the Sierras, and wet and dry forests on tropical islands. Her research primarily addresses interactions between land-use (forest management) and biogeochemical cycling, with an emphasis on biologically mediated trace gas fluxes from soils.
Tanya Sanerib, Secretary
Tanya’s Task Force roots are deep as she began working with the organization when she was a law student at Lewis and Clark. Tanya recently moved back to the Northwest and now works for our friends at the Crag Law Center. In the intervening 6+ years, Tanya was a partner at the public interest law firm Meyer Glitzenstein and Crystal in Washington DC where she represented a wide variety of clients on a host of matters in state and federal courts as well as in the international arena.
Dr. Robert Scheller, Vice-Chair
Dr. Robert Scheller grew up in Minnesota and spent the first part of his career studying the forests of the upper Midwest. He moved to Oregon in 2007 and is a professor at Portland State University. His research examines how forested landscapes will respond to multiple change agents, including climate change, forest management, changing land use patterns, and natural disturbances such as fire. Rob teaches forest ecology, landscape ecology, and sustainability at PSU.
Niki Terzieff, Director
Niki began her career while still in college when she worked as campaign director and legislative chief of staff for a former House Democratic Majority Leader. She was hired simultaneously as an administrator for the Women's Investment Network PAC, fundraising and organizing across the state for pro-choice women running for the state legislature. In fact, finding a niche, Niki found a variety of fundraising work - including work on County Commission races, City Council races, and some Congressional races - led to a decade of forwarding a common-sense and progressive agenda for Oregon and the Northwest.
The proudest achievement in her short tenure in politics to date was working as Oregon Finance Director throughout 2007 & 2008, to elect Jeff Merkley as United States Senator. She has done additional fundraising and finance work for statewide and federal campaigns, including the Maurer challenge to Superintendent Castillo in 2010. Most recently, Niki worked as the events director for Governor John Kitzhaber's latest election campaign.
Other experience over the years includes working with the Oregon House Democratic Caucus, managing two winning, "targeted" campaigns and then serving as chief of staff for the Chair of the Ways & Means Education Sub Committee. As a contract lobbyist for four years at an progressive government relations firm, Niki negotiated policy on behalf of 18 clients. Now, at Strategies 360, Niki is Legislative Director for a client list of over 20 education, environmental, and "safety net" non-profits; energy efficiency and renewable energy companies; local government and white-hat businesses.
When not at her desk or in the Capitol in Salem, Niki and her dog, Chevy, might be spotted riding her motorcycle all across the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Mt. St. Helen's being a personal favorite). And if you don't find her on the bike, check the nearest body of water. Niki was born in Ohio and grew up in multiple states across the US, but she's called Oregon home for more than a decade. She has a B.S. from Portland State University in political science and a certificate in community leadership.
