Jeff Hernandez
President and Tualatin Valley Chapter Representative
Jeff grew up in the small town of Bend learning how to fish for trout at a young age. The passion continues to this day, only the fish have gotten bigger. Jeff lives in NW Portland with his wife Leslie and experiences the joy of teaching others to fish, almost as much as he enjoys catching a fish himself. He and his wife recently purchased their first fishing boat and have been enjoying fishing for trout, kokanee and salmon. Jeff joined the steelheaders back in 2007 when he was just learning to steelhead fish and has enjoyed the friendships he has made and the knowledge he has gained. Now he is passionate about sharing the information he has learned with others.
Rob Bitney
Vice President and Sandy River Chapter Representative
Born in Oregon but grew up in Montana, pursuing everything from Golden Trout to Catfish, Rob returned to Oregon after a stint in the US Navy and sporting a fresh college degree. When asked why Oregon, the answer was merely "the fish are bigger". Although salmon and steelhead have been taking the lion's share of Rob's fishing time, other species are always an option. Rob eventually found the Steelheaders in 2010 and has never looked back since. The feeling of community, the education, both continuing and for novice anglers and the opportunity to pay it forward gives the Steelheaders a special place in Rob's life.
Bob Rees
Vice President of Conservation
Bob is a 6th generation Oregonian and has guided fishing trips in Oregon and Alaskan waters since 1991. Bob previously served as the NW Steelheaders' Executive Director and chapter co-president for the north coast. As a successful grassroots organizer for better habitat protections on private and State Forest lands, Bob was recognized by The National Wildlife Federation in 2019 for his work in Oregon and at the national level in support of wildlife conservation. In 2023, the Lower Nehalem Community Trust’s Board of Directors selected Bob as the 2023 recipient of the Ferdun Conservation Award. From his days as a Tillamook Estuaries Partnership board member in the 1990s, to his current advocacy work on behalf of the Wild Salmon Center, Bob has been a fierce advocate for the protection of the Nehalem and Tillamook watersheds. Bob is also a founder of a trusted regional fishing forum relied upon by professional guides and recreational anglers alike.
Bob Oleson
Vice President of Government Affairs
Bob currently serves as Vice President of Government Affairs, and previously served as Co-President and Policy Advocate at the state capitol. He is a sixth generation Oregonian who spent his early years on a family farm near Scholls, bird hunting and fishing for bass and trout In the Tualatin River. He received a degree in political science from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, and went on to spend most of his career in professional trade association management and public affairs. Now semi-retired, Bob is a self-proclaimed “advanced beginner” of salmon and steelhead fishing, going near and far to pursue the sport. Aside from fishing, his hobbies include biking, pickleball, and detective novels. He lives in Newberg with his wife, Patti, and their cats.
Curt Ward
Treasurer
Curt attended his first Northwest Steelheaders meeting in 2005 and was drawn in by the passion for fishing, community, and conservation that was exhibited by the membership. He supports the Association’s efforts to enhance fish runs that include both wild and broodstock hatchery fish so that fishing can be enjoyed by anglers for generations to come. When Curt is not attending to the Association’s finances, he is a principal engineer for Intel Corporation. He lives in Forest Grove with his wife, two daughters, and numerous animals.
Brad Garrett
Secretary
Brad was born and raised in Baker, OR where he spent his days on the surrounding local rivers and high mountain lakes chasing fish with family and friends. "Leaving something better than you found it" has always helped guide him and as such the Steelheaders mission and his passion for fishing lead him down the pathway of becoming more involved with the Association in 2021. Brad is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Sandy River Chapter and helps to coordinate the Chapter's newsletter, website and online store. Brad lives with his wife Heather in Corbett, OR and is a proud parent of their two children Delanie and Mac.
Norm Ritchie
Immediate Past Co-President
Norm has been a passionate angler for over 60 years, a conservation activist for over 45 years and member of Northwest Steelheaders Board of Directors for over 20 years. He represents the Association as a board member of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and National Wildlife Federation. Recognized for conservation leadership, Norm was appointed to the ODFW Salmon Trout Advisory Committee (STAC) by two governors. Now retired after a 36-year career as a Professional Licensed Engineer at Daimler Trucks, Norm resides on the Oregon Coast for part of the year and travels extensively. He enjoys fishing for all the species the northwest has to offer, from Snake River steelhead to halibut and tuna 25 miles offshore.
Michael Myrick
At Large Director
Mike grew up in Washington and Oregon and developed a love of fishing from his father at a young age. At Northwest Steelheaders, Mike served as the Sandy River Chapter treasurer for 13 years, as Education Director on the Board of Directors, and is now an At Large Board Member. Mike enjoys teaching kids to fish at Family Fish Camp and in classrooms through the Fish Eggs to Fry program. He also volunteers at the Association’s booth at the Portland Sportsman’s Show and at the Association's annual fundraiser. He served 3.5 years in the U.S. Army, two of which he was stationed in Europe where he learned to drive big rigs, leading to a 42 year career in truck driving. In 1988, Mike won the Oregon Truck Driving Championships. When Mike isn’t fishing or volunteering, he enjoys woodworking and world travel.
Bill Kremers
At Large Director and Past President
Bill is a charter lifetime member of the Association. Since joining the Steelheaders, he has served in a variety of positions at both the chapter and Association level, including four years as the Association president. He developed a passion for fishing in his early childhood in Michigan. That passion has never wavered, and his goal is to instill that same passion and love of the outdoors in his grandson, William. He moved to Oregon with his wife during the summer of 1977 after graduating from Chico State University. His first boss at the Oregon State Health Lab was a member of Northwest Steelheaders and invited him to a meeting in Beaverton. The guest speaker that evening was Buzz Ramsey, and by the next meeting, he was a member. A few months later, he accepted a lab position at Oregon State University in Corvallis and worked there until his retirement. Through his membership and participation in Northwest Steelheaders, Bill forged long term friendships, fishing partners and unforgettable memories, and has witnessed first-hand how fishing and stewardship of our waters, air and land go hand in hand.
Tamsin Fleming
At Large Director
Tamsin is an Oregonian who grew up in northeast Portland and went on to attend the University of Oregon. As a former Steelheaders employee, she has a passion for conservation and sport fishing advocacy, feeling strongly that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joys of getting outside and fishing. She currently works at Colorado State University as their Leadership Annual Giving Officer. Prior to her current role, Tamsin worked as the development and alumni communication strategist at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) where she was a driving force behind key alumni and donor communications, including the UNC monthly newsletter, donor magazine, and monthly planned giving outreach.
Donald Hyde
Columbia River Chapter Representative and Chapter President
Donny was born and raised in Washington and has been fishing since he could walk, pursuing any and all species wherever he went. He joined the U.S. Air Force at age 18 and is currently still serving. He moved back home to Washington in 2009 and got serious about salmon and steelhead fishing and conservation activism. In 2011, he and his father, Keith, created the Columbia River Chapter of the Northwest Steelheaders, which is currently the only chapter in Washington. He served as the Vice President of the chapter from 2011-2014, and became Chapter President in 2015. He harbors a deep love for the community, his connection to local fisheries, and the volunteer projects he works to organize for the common good.
Rod Fosback
Emerald Empire Chapter President
Rod was raised in Eugene and served in the Navy from November 1980 until January 1993. He joined the Steelheaders that March and has been a member since. Rod joined because of our hatchery and has seen it grow from hatch barrels to a hatch house where we raise 25,000-30,000 Steelhead, fin clip them and release them into Letz creek right at the hatchery from our pond. Rod and his wife Jackie have been Life Members for many years, and love to camp and fish their local rivers and lakes. Rod’s favorite part of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders is the outreach to groups like the Candlelighter kids, Big Brother-Big Sister, A Family for Every Child, CASA of Lane County, Diamond N Vets, The Fallen Outdoors, and all the friends that we have made over the years, some are still around and some have passed away. Rod hopes to continue the great work that we have been involved with for so long, and is honored to be President of the Emerald Empire Chapter.
Ken Johnson
Emerald Empire Chapter Representative
Ken is an Oregonian and serves as Emerald Empire Chapter Representative and Chapter President. After being drafted and serving 2 years in the U.S. Army in the mid-1960s, Ken worked at the Bell System Telephone Company until his retirement. He then became a full-time RVer and now enjoys life in a small town. Through the Emerald Empire Chapter, he manages the Letz Creek Hatchery, which is a ODFW STEP hatchery where Northwest Steelheaders volunteers raise and release about 15,000 winter steelhead into the Siuslaw River system each year. The highlight of Ken’s many years of fishing was the 18 years he spent living in Newport, OR saltwater fishing. He enjoys all kinds of fishing and all species. Ken is a self-proclaimed “catch and fillet kind of guy” and has a “healthy appetite for all seafood”.
James Adkins
McLoughlin Chapter Representative and Chapter President
James leads the Association’s communications program supporting advocacy efforts, growing membership and increasing awareness of the Steelheaders' conservation and education work. James has previously worked for Congressman Kurt Schrader, lead government affairs programs for housing advocacy groups and managed communications programs for regional conservation groups. Born and raised in Salem, James grew up fishing for trout with his dad on Detroit lake. These days, he is a generalist outdoors person. If it is legal and ethical to hunt or fish, James is interested in it.
Ron Pockrus
Mid-Valley Chapter Representative
Ron was born and raised in Oregon and joined the US Navy as a Seabee in 1974, moving on to specialize in underwater construction. From there, his life revolved around work on and under water, traveling in small teams around the globe and performing many tasks - and going on to spend most of his career in the same trade after his time in the Navy. Ron developed a passion for water, as well as what swims under it. After finally returning home, he met a local man who also had a passion for fishing, Don Heinzman, who introduced him to the Mid Valley Chapter. Ron has since held most officer and board positions within the chapter, and had the opportunity to help local Wounded Warriors, organize youth fishing events, and coordinate many other local events. Ron has used his membership as a venue to give back to others, and is grateful for our community.
Jay Wylie
Salem Chapter President (Interim)
PNW native, retired Marine Corps, current public high school engineering teacher. Active Scouter with Scouting America. Salem Chapter President since about 2020.
Staff
James Adkins
Communications Director
James leads the Association’s communications program supporting advocacy efforts, growing membership and increasing awareness of the Steelheaders' conservation and education work. James has previously worked for Congressman Kurt Schrader, lead government affairs programs for housing advocacy groups and managed communications programs for regional conservation groups. Born and raised in Salem, James grew up fishing for trout with his dad on Detroit lake. These days, he is a generalist outdoors person. If it is legal and ethical to hunt or fish, James is interested in it.
Jack Fleming
Operations Manager
Jack manages our membership records, website, and other administrative systems. He has a background in linguistics and has previously worked in a variety of administrative roles. Although he doesn't have much experience with fishing, Jack is passionate about protecting nature and our opportunity to enjoy it. Having spent most of his life in Oregon, he now resides in Idaho.