Staff

Leadership

Julie Rentner

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 has led science, planning and project development at River Partners, and in January 2020 became River Partners president.

John Cain

Director of Conservation

John Cain brings three decades experience at the nexus of ecosystem restoration, flood management, and water policy in California. He has played an active role in projects and processes that build healthier, safer communities and ecosystems, including the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, the Dutch Slough tidal marsh restoration project, fish habitat enhancement on the Yolo Bypass, re-watering of the San Joaquin River, and restoration of Mono Lake and its tributaries. At River Partners, he builds partnerships to accelerate the pace and scale of riparian and floodplain restoration. In 2017, he was honored as “Floodplain Manager of the Year” by the Floodplain Management Association.

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.