Bob Russell, Vice Chair & Treasurer
Retired Forest Service Supervisor
Bob retired in 2006, after 39 years with the Forest Service, as Forest Supervisor on the Dixie National Forest in SW Utah. He and his wife Nancy moved back to Salmon immediately after his retirement, where they had both worked for the Salmon (then Salmon-Challis) National Forest for 15 years. A forester and hydrologist by training, Bob has spent a lifetime in pursuit of the sustainable use of the abundant natural resources of the West. Nancy and Bob also raised, trained and used llamas as low-impact pack animals in Colorado and Idaho for 20 years.
Julie Hopkins, Secretary
Minerals Administrator, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Julie has lived in Idaho for 40 of her 52 years. She went to grade school for two years in Cobalt, where her mother was the last teacher there before the mine closed. She spent the next three years at the Yellowjacket Mine, which undoubtedly resulted in her choice of a career in natural resources. Julie graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Wildland Recreation Management. She worked as a research technician at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho for nearly 15 years. Julie currently works for the U.S. Forest Service as a Minerals Administrator. She likes to garden and enjoys hiking. SVS’s promotion and support of local foods and sustainable agriculture was her primary reason for wanting to be a part of Salmon Valley Stewardship
Russ Chinske, Board Member
Public School Educator
Russ is a 4th grade school teacher and track coach in Salmon. A Montana native, Russ is an avid whitewater enthusiast. During the summer months, he often supervises trail crews working in the backcountry of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. During the winter months, he plays ice hockey at Salmon’s outdoor ice rink. SVS values his experience and enthusiasm for environmental education.
Dave Ellis, Board Member
Rancher
Dave grew up in the Salmon River valley on his family’s ranch. He continues his family’s tradition of ranching with a next generation emphasis on healthy relationships between the land, the animals, and consumers. Dave’s operation, Beaverhead Peaks Ranch, specializes in grass-fed beef that graze in an ecologically responsible manner and without the addition of hormones, antibiotics or insecticides. Dave is actively exploring the creation of a natural farmers and ranchers co-op for the Salmon River Valley. He is a member of the Idaho Sage Grouse Working Group.
Toni Ruth, Board Secretary
Wildlife Biologist
Toni is a wildlife biologist and received her Ph.D. from the University of Idaho. She has been involved in cougar research and management issues while working in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Montana and is currently working as an independent contract biologist and writing a book on cougar ecology and interactions with wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She moved to Salmon in September 2005 after spending 8 years in Gardiner, Montana. She also enjoys giving presentations to educate kids and young adults, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and is attempting to learn to fly fish.
Left to right: Gina Knudson, Toni Ruth, Denise Shirmer, Anita Andrus, Sherry Elrod, Dave Ellis, Sadie Barrett, Bob Russell, Julie Hopkins, John Goodman, Russ Chinske
Click above to read about our advisors and staff.
The 2011 Board of Directors
Anita Andrus, Board Chair
Small Business Owner
Anita is a nationally certified massage therapist and has owned and run Salmon Therapeutic Massage for 20 of the 29 years she has lived in Salmon. Anita has a strong dedication to serving the community and has been an active member and/or supporter of the Salmon Arts Council, Habitat for Humanity, Idaho Conservation League, Salmon Chamber of Commerce, and the Lemhi Regional Land Trust. She is an avid upland bird and waterfowl hunter and serves as Secretary/ Treasurer and as a Judge for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America. She also enjoys cross-country skiing, hiking, backpacking, and music.
Sherry Elrod, Board Member
Entrepreneur
Sherry Elrod graduated with honors in 1991 from National University in Irvine, California receiving a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Banking. During the period from 1982-2001, she co-founded a software company, JET Systems, Inc., oversaw design and development of a multi-user word processing software product and created marketing strategies for various distribution channels. Prior to moving from Southern California to Salmon in 2007, Sherry was actively engaged in commercial real estate valuation and investing. Sherry serves on the steering committee of the Northwest Area foundation/University of Idaho Salmon Horizons project and is an Idaho Master Gardener and program director of the Kids Jr. Master Gardener summer program at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center. Sherry’s passions are gardening, hiking, downhill skiing, white water rafting and romping with her three King Charles Cavalier Spaniels.
John Goodman, Board Member
Mgr, Moose Creek Estates
John was born and raised in Salmon and once owned a lumber yard in town. He now manages Moose Creek Estates near Gibbonsville. John's interest in forest restoration led him to SVS, and his experience as a board member for organizations such as the Salmon Arts Council, Steele Memorial Medical Center, Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce, the North Fork Fire Protection District, and many others proves invaluable for the SVS board. John enjoys fishing and hunting and watching the countless varieties of wildlife at Moose Creek.
Sadie Barrett
Yoga Instructor
Sadie grew up in Salmon and returned here in 2009. She moved her McCall yoga practice to Salmon and in the summer also supervises crews for the Youth Employment Program, putting her years of fire crew experience with the Forest Service to work. Sadie is an avid gardener and is working with other community members to graft fruit trees from historic homestead orchards in the Salmon Valley. You'll find Sadie in the foothills riding her bike, on her skis at Lost Trail or in the backcountry, hiking in the Salmon-Challis, or in a meditative pose.
