Chris Johnson
Board President, Treasurer, Executive Director

One of the original co-founders of Methow Salmon in 2001, Chris was instrumental in its startup phase and has served as Methow Salmon’s President since 2003. He earned a B.S. from the Environmental Institute at the University of Washington (1992) with a specialty in policy and law, and apprenticed at the Puget Sound Alliance, working with Seattle’s boating community to reduce water pollution. In 1994, Chris relocated to Okanogan County and settled near his grandparents’ Okanogan homestead. For the first decade, Chris worked throughout the large rural county. But, by the late 1990s Chris had made the choice to focus the majority of his work time in the Methow. In 2013, Chris and his family moved to the Big Valley area of the Upper Methow, greatly reducing his daily commute.

Chris credits his ability to connect with recreationalists, landowners, businesses, government, communities, and conservationists as his greatest strength in building partnerships accomplish habitat restoration and endangered species enhancement in this rural county. He draws from his broad working experience in land use planning, environmental advocacy and water rights to help identify on-the-ground ways to address regulatory requirements without sacrificing local culture or economics.

Greg Forge
Board Vice President, Secretary - Legal Specialist

Greg is an accomplished business and natural resource lawyer working closely with businesses and governments to manage climate risks. With a background in both private legal practice and as in-house counsel at a venture capital firm, Greg is both practical in his solutions and forward-thinking when it comes to business strategy. His combination of public and private sector experience has solidified Greg’s reputation as an accomplished negotiator and deal-maker with a unique ability to form partnerships between unlikely allies that accomplish a common goal. Currently, Greg is putting this skill to use in finding new ways for the private sector to adopt a leadership role in addressing climate risks — including flood, wildfire, drought and other extreme weather and climatic events — and helping form public/private partnerships that will make our economies and communities more resilient to potential hazards.

Kathy Goldberg
Board Member, Director - Real Estate Specialist

A long-time resident of the Methow Valley, Kathy brings a strong local presence to the Methow Salmon board. She and her husband moved to the valley in 1978 and raised three children on a farm near Libby Creek. Like many who live in the Methow, Kathy has worn many hats throughout the years, including as a rancher, a farmer, and a business owner. For the last 22 years, Kathy has been a real estate agent and is a managing broker for Blue Sky Realty in Winthrop. When she joined the Methow Salmon board in 2009, Kathy saw it as a unique opportunity to be part of an organization that is working with the community to address ecological challenges through a combination of active restoration, land protection and stewardship, environmental education, and public art. With her love of the natural beauty of the Methow and an understanding of the diverse perspectives within the community, Kathy enjoys helping Methow Salmon find locally-driven innovative solutions that protect and restore the watershed.

Peg Nielsen
Board Member, Director - Media Specialist

A Seattle native, Peg Nielsen has a BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science from the University of Washington and a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School.  A self-confessed animal lover, she is a strong supporter of the natural environment. Peg worked extensively in Los Angeles and Seattle in television, radio and film - the highlight of which was as a contract actress with noted animal TV and film producer Ivan Tors. More recently she retired from the City of Seattle where she served for fourteen years as a Senior Communications Specialist. Her work also included serving on the Environmental Management System team which guided the Department of Transportation’s environmental law compliance. In addition to her background in the media and communications, she has also served on the local and national boards of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists as well as the Marine Animal Resource Center.