Staff - River Partners

Leadership

John Carlon

President

John Carlon has worked protecting and restoring rivers in California since 1991. In 1998, he and another local farmer started River Partners, an organization dedicated to the restoration of California’s rivers and floodplains. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Carlon has overseen the implementation of over $125 million worth of habitat protection and restoration in California. Mr. Carlon is the president of River Partners, which has created 11,000 acres of river habitat for endangered species.

Julie Rentner

Executive Vice President

Julie Rentner has successfully secured over $27 million in state and federal grant funding to acquire conservation properties and implement riparian and floodplain habitat restoration. In total, Ms. Rentner has worked to conserve over 2,000 acres and has secured funds to restore over 3,000 acres of floodplains. Additionally, Ms. Rentner has developed and led stakeholder processes supporting the integration of flood control and ecosystem enhancement at the regional level, resulting in the development of several on-the-ground multi-benefit projects as well as the development of the Mid San Joaquin River Regional Flood Management Plan. Ms. Rentner leads science, planning and project development at River Partners.

Gerald Dion

Vice President

Gerald Dion has worked to restore California habitats since 1996, first as a private consultant, then as a public employee, and finally in the non-profit sector. Mr. Dion has focused on wetland and riparian habitats from Lake Tahoe to the San Francisco Bay Delta and is a past board member of the Society for Ecological Restoration. Mr. Dion has led the finance, science and implementation teams at River Partners and currently leads finance and the building of a philanthropy program at River Partners.

Terrel Hutton

Director of Advancement

Terrel Hutton has 20 years of experience in organizational development, fundraising, communications, impact evaluation and philanthropic partnerships. For a decade, she raised the philanthropic profile of public media organizations, as Chief Development Officer at The Center for Investigative Reporting, and Director of Individual Major Gifts at KQED Public Media in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Hutton has advised veteran and start- up environmental, educational and arts organizations on organizational and development strategy, communications and public outreach. She directs communications and philanthropic investment activities at River Partners.

Stephen Sheppard

Director of Field Operations

Stephen Sheppard has 12+ years of experience restoring and managing riparian habitat in the San Joaquin Valley and Delta region. This work includes restoration of over 3,000 acres on the USFWS San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge and Dos Rios Ranch. Mr. Sheppard brings to River Partners an in-depth knowledge of the local agriculture and environmental situation in the area in and around the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge.