Columbia Springs Staff
Gala Miller
Executive Director
(360) 882-0936 ext. 221
gmiller@columbiasprings.org
Gala began working at Columbia Springs in January of 2007. She is responsible for the development, administration, and implementation of educational programming, policies, and goals. Gala oversees the day to day business and administrative operations of Columbia Springs. Her duties also include promoting public understanding of and support for Columbia Springs through community building and the development of external relations.
Gala is a native of the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Bellevue, Washington. She later earned a B.A in Liberal Arts from the Evergreen State College in Olympia and a Master in Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham. She is a certified teacher with experience teaching in the classroom and in outdoor settings. Following graduate school Gala spent 2+ years in Niger, West Africa, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Prior to coming to Columbia Springs Gala spent 13 years working for the US Forest Service at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. While there she served multiple roles within both the public service and recreation programs from Environmental Education Coordinator to the Chief of Interpretation.
When not working Gala enjoys playing soccer, venturing out into the woods to hike, x-country ski, or pick mushrooms, wine tasting, reading, and hanging out with her husband Dave and her dog Henry.
Mariah Acton
Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator
(360) 882-0936 ext. 230
Mariah Acton joined the Columbia Springs staff in February of 2010. As the Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Mariah works hard to insure the success of our annual events, to build a burgeoning new service learning and volunteer program, and is responsible for much of Columbia Springs' online presence.
Mariah grew up on a family farm in northern Vancouver and attended public school in the area up through completing her Associate's degree through Running Start at Clark College. She then spent three years studying environmental policy and working in organizational leadership development at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, graduating with her Bachelor's degree in 2009. After spending a summer backpacking and hitchhiking across Alaska, Mariah returned home and quickly found her place at Columbia Springs.
When Mariah is not working, she enjoys spending time outside, helping on her family's dairy goat farm, registering voters, and learning more about the role of equity in urban planning and community development.
Jo Anne Dolan
Sustainability Programs Director
(360) 882-0936 ext. 224
mcr@columbiasprings.org
Jo Anne Dolan joined the Columbia Springs staff as Sustainability Programs Director in April 2008.
She coordinates the Master Composter Recycler Program. Prior to joining the Columbia Springs team she worked as Director of Outreach and Education for a Pacific Northwest watershed council where she worked with watershed restoration projects, engaging community members and volunteers in educational and stewardship activities.
Jo Anne's natural resource background includes work as a field biologist and botanist, natural and cultural history guide, interpretive specialist and visitor center director, park ranger, and outdoor science instructor.
Jo Anne received a BA in Zoology and Natural History from the University of Montana. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, bicycling, back country skiing, whitewater boating, writing, and reading.
Lynn Findlay
Finance Director
(360) 882-0936 ext. 229
finance@columbiasprings.org
Lynn joined Columbia Springs in May 2008, filling the newly-created position of Finance Director.
In May 2006, Lynn moved to Washington from Milwaukee, WI, where she lived for 26 years. Most recently, she was Comptroller for the North Shore Fire Department in Brown Deer, WI. Prior to that, Lynn was the Business Manager and then Executive Director for Milwaukee's Humph IMAX Dome Theater.
In fall 2007, Lynn completed the WSU Clark County Master Gardener program. In addition to volunteering for the Master Gardeners, Lynn spends time in her own gardens and raises chickens and guinea fowl. She likes to sew, read and is learning Spanish. On beautiful days, you can find her on the back of a red Harley Davidson.
Brian Harvard
Fish Hatchery Specialist 3
(360) 892-2581
Vancouver1@DFW.WA.GOVBrian Harvard joined the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1991 at the Washougal Salmon Hatchery. He later joined the Vancouver Trout Hatchery in 1995 where he was promoted and now serves as Fish Hatchery Specialist 3.
Brian is charged with management and oversight of fish production, grounds maintenance and hatchery facilities at Columbia Springs. Brian works with the Vancouver Trout Hatchery team in ensuring the fish production is accomplished on schedule and in compliance with state standards. In addition, Brian implements the annual operating budget of the Hatchery and ensures budgetary compliance.
Brian received an Associates Degree in Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management from Bellingham Technical College.
In Brian's free time he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.
Emily Sullivan
Development Director
(360) 882-0936 ext. 222
development@columbiasprings.org
Emily began working for Columbia Springs in February of 2012. She is responsible fundraising, donor development, and community building and external relations.
Emily was born in Virginia and raised in Maryland. After attending the University of Delaware where she received her BS in Geophysics, Emily continued her education at Arizona where she earned a Masters in Geophysical Engineering. She spent the next three years in Washington DC and North Carolina as an environmental engineer developing air emission reports for the EPA. It was as boring as it sounded and when Emily and her husband relocated to Portland, she began working at a veterinary hospital and volunteering at the Audubon Society.
After two years working in client services at the Oregon Chapter of the MS Society, Emily spent the next four year as the Events and Annual Giving Manager at CASA, a non-profit serving children in foster care in Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon.
At home you can usually find her working in her garden or reading, and, along with husband Jeff and daughter Jasmine, keeping the family cats happy.
Renee O'Neill
On-site Education Coordinator
(360) 882-0936 ext. 226
schoolprograms@columbiasprings.org
Renee O'Neill joined the staff as the Education Specialist in February of 2011 and is responsible for on-site education programs.
Renee grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has worked in the environmental education field leading, coordinating and developing programs at organizations such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Salish Sea Expeditions, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center. She also spent many years living and working throughout Alaska as a fisheries field biologist for the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
Renee recently received a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Washington. She spent the first year of her degree living, learning and teaching in IslandWood Environmental Center’s residential program.
In addition to Renee’s passion for hiking kids through the woods she also enjoys travel, dance, Spanish and cooking.
Gary Millhollin
Fish Hatchery Specialist 2
(360) 892-2581
Vancouver1@DFW.WA.GOV
Gary Millhollin joined the Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1988 where he worked for the Bonneville Hatchery in Oregon. He later joined the Vancouver Trout Hatchery team in 1998 where he
currently serves as Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
Gary is charged with assisting with the hatchery operations. He manually maintains the hatching troughs and the incubation rooms. This includes initial setup of units, watering, filling them with eggs, and cleaning units. Gary also works to ensure the round ponds and raceways are clean and controlled. In addition to his hatchery work, Gary works diligently to maintain the grounds and facilities at Columbia Springs.
Gary received an Associates Degree in Fisheries Technology from Mt. Hood Community College in 1990.
In Gary's free time he enjoys fishing, hunting, mushrooming, and gardening.
Melissa Potter
Environmental Educator
Salmon in the Classroom
(360) 892-0936 ext. 228
sitc@columbiasprings.org
Melissa began working with Columbia Springs in September 2010 as an Environmental Educator.
Melissa coordinates the Salmon in the Classroom (SITC) program in Clark County. SITC is a program of Columbia Springs in partnership with and funded by Clark Public Utilities. The program was created in 1991 by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide students an opportunity for hands-on environmental education. Melissa manages 52 aquarium tanks in schools across Clark County which are used to rear over 12,000 Coho salmon each year. Melissa is also an educator for the on-site education programs at Columbia Springs, including Nature Nuts Summer Camp.
Prior to working for Columbia Springs, Melissa was involved many different field research projects for both Sonoma State University (SSU) in Northern California and the National Parks Service. Melissa graduated from SSU with a B.S. in Biology.
When Melissa is not working, she enjoys surfing, rock climbing, skiing and spending time with her husband Luke and dog Ender.