Our Team

Justinn overton

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Justinn oversees day-to-day operations and management and ensures Coosa Riverkeeper has the resources needed to fight for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Coosa River.

Steven dudley

RIVERKEEPER

As the Staff Riverkeeper, Steven conducts the Riverkeeper Patrol Program by patrolling the river and documenting pollution. He also responds to citizen complaints, reviews permits for compliance, and assists with education and outreach.

TUCKER WATSON

RIVERKEEPER PATROL/ SWIM GUIDE TEAM LEAD

As Riverkeeper Patrol/Swim Guide Team Lead, Tucker focuses on water quality in the Coosa. He leads the popular Coosa River Swim Guide program and organizes the data collection, in-house lab, and supports the Riverkeeper Patrol Program.

VICTORIA MILLER

FISH GUIDE COORDINATOR

As Fish Guide Coordinator, Victoria focuses on fishing and public health on the Coosa. She coordinates the popular Coosa River Fish Guide program where she educates fishermen about fish consumption advisories and creates reel-y helpful resources for families.

OUR BOARD

The Coosa Riverkeeper Board of Directors manages the long-term vision of Coosa Riverkeeper, enables our staff and volunteers to work towards that vision, and acts as stewards of our organization in the community.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Advisory Council is a group of important community members and leaders in their respective fields that provide support and assistance to Coosa Riverkeeper when needed.

MEET THIS SUMMERS CROP OF INTERNS:

Mackenzie Pennington, Lab Technician

Mackenzie is a junior at Auburn University studying Environmental Science. She played volleyball two years at Southern Union State Community College. She spends most Saturday’s hunting or fishing. She has an adorable Chocolate Heeler named Hank. She spends a lot of time kayaking in the summer and is an amateur nature photographer. She works in a hydroponics lab in Auburn doing research. Toby Keith is her hero. She sang with Riley Green on stage. She beat her brother in fishing tournaments before & has won a squirrel tournament (she says it was awesome!) She will be processing and analyzing our water quality samples as our Lab Technician.

Jake Lasseter, North Route Field Technician

Jake Lasseter says, “I’m super stoked about being a part of the Riverkeeper team.” He studies biology at Jacksonville State University and concentrate in ecology/environmental biology. His goal is make new friends, gain experience, and ultimately have a good time as a Field Tech for the Swim Guide program. He can’t think of a better way to spend his summer than to be outside helping to keep our waters clean to enjoy for the public. His favorite quote is by Henry David Thoreau, “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” Jake collects water quality data & bacteria samples weekly on the North Route which includes 10 sites surrounding the creeks and main reservoir of Neely Henry Lake.

Jason Miller, Central Route Field Technician

Florida born, Georgia raised, and a Jamaican through and through, Jason is no stranger to the water. When he’s not napping or playing video games, you can find him in the kitchen experimenting. He is an aspiring author and an avid explorer with a passion for anything aquatic. Jason is also an Environmental Health major at UAB and an active member in his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. Jason collects water quality data & bacteria samples weekly on the Central Route which includes 10 sites surrounding the creeks and main reservoir of Logan Martin Lake.

Lindsay Digges, South Route Field Technician

Lindsay grew up in Madison, Alabama in the Tennessee River Valley. During late spring and summer, you could find her family boating or just enjoying Smith Lake or the Elk River. She enjoys swimming so much and this summer, she plans on being outside as much as possible. She is currently a rising Junior at Auburn University (4.0 GPA woo!) studying Ecological Engineering. She is minoring in French and Business and just recently spent a summer in Paris! When she is not studying, she enjoys listening to music and going to concerts. She involved in a sorority, as well as Auburn for Water, which raises money for water filters for families in Nepal. Lindsay collects water quality data & bacteria samples weekly on the South Route which includes 10 sites surrounding the creeks and main reservoir of Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and the tailwaters of the Coosa.

Tyler Harless, Swim & Fish Guide Specialist

Tyler is a Senior at the University of Montevallo majoring in biology. He grew up in the outdoors and loves being outdoors, especially by the water. He has always had a passion for bass fishing and is currently a member of the Montevallo Fishing Team. He is in the Presidents Outdoor Scholar Program at the University of Montevallo.

When he interviewed with us, he was leaving to go fish on Lay… his role with our team will be to support the creel surveys of our Fish Guide program, support the Field and Lab Techs for Swim Guide, and follow up with field investigations with our Staff Riverkeeper.

Tyler Dickey, Program Outreach Specialist

Meet Tyler Dickey. He is an English major who will be a Senior next fall at University of Alabama at Birmingham. At home, he raises goats wit his family and help run an e-sports league that he founded. He currently works a couple of days a week as an electrical apprentice. Even though he does not go outside as much anymore because of school, he did grow up camping every weekend.

Tyler is a word ninja and has great and creative ideas for ways we can better explain, communicate, and educate folks like you about what our Swim Guide data means for your weekend and how to better reel in Fish Guide info!