kuwa’naaGAyuu
DENR – About Us
John Whissel
Director of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
John has led the Native Village of Eyak’s (NVE) DENR since 2012. He oversees innovative research in fisheries, wildlife, renewable energy, and environmental restoration, managing multimillion-dollar projects and a dedicated team. John’s expertise and leadership drive sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship in the region. He is a graduate of Allegheny College with a BSc in Environmental Science/Marine Biology and a Marine Sciences certificate from Duke University where he studied the ecological role of invertebrates in wetlands.
Matt Piché
Fish Biologist and Natural Resources Coordinator
Matt oversees DENR’s Natural Resources programs, which include research and monitoring of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems, as well as mariculture and alternative energy. Matt’s scientific background and over a decade of experience leading field studies in Alaska’s logistically challenging remote wilderness is an asset to NVE and our partners. He is an expert in federal, state, and private sector grant award management. He is the Principal Investigator of NVE’s Salmon Research & Monitoring Program for the Copper River and Prince William Sound. He is also a co-investigator on several studies through collaborations with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, local NGOs, and regional Tribal Organizations. His background includes undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Keuka College and graduate studies in Environmental Science focusing on Aquatic Biology at the State University of New York at Brockport. His graduate work included a wetland fish assemblage assessment across Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the natural reproduction of Lake Ontario Chinook Salmon within three Western, NY drainages.
Jimmy Paley
Environmental and Natural Resources Engineer
Since 2016, Jimmy has contributed to the Native Village of Eyak’s environmental initiatives, including stream monitoring, moose habitat enhancement, renewable energy projects, and is the lead on field operations for the Chinook Escapement Monitoring program on the Copper River. With extensive expertise in remote fieldwork, renewable energy design, and fisheries management, James plays a key role in advancing sustainable resource management and conservation efforts in Cordova, Alaska. Jimmy holds a MSc in Environmental Science and Engineering from Clarkson University where he developed a stand-alone system for real-time water quality monitoring in streams and rivers.
Caitlin McKinstry
Marine Biologist
Caitlin McKinstry brings more than a decade of experience in marine biology, conservation, and research to her role at the Native Village of Eyak. She leads the Tribe’s mariculture program, focusing on researching sustainable seaweed farming benefits for the Tribe and the Prince William Sound’s environment and economy. A seasoned field researcher, Caitlin is dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions for the community and the region. She holds a MSc in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2011), which focused on the energy content and fatty acid composition of key prey species for North Atlantic Right Whales.
Erin Shew
Environmental Coordinator
Erin began her environmental career with NVE in 2009 and returned in 2024 as the Environmental Coordinator. Her previous positions included work as a climate change coordinator for the Chugach Regional Resources Commission and a climate justice policy advisor for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She manages programs focused on land remediation, environmental planning, and renewable energy. With extensive experience in climate policy, subsistence resource management, and forestry, Erin brings a holistic approach to building healthy socio-ecological systems. She is committed to advancing sustainable practices and supporting community resilience in Alaska. She received her BA in East Asian Studies from Lewis and Clark College.
Erik Long
Environmental Scientist
Originally from upstate New York, Erik started working for NVE in 2018 as a seasonal Fisheries Technician for the Chinook Escapement Monitoring project on the Copper River. Since then, he’s moved on to work as a seasonal Biologist on several other fisheries projects run by NVE DENR. He’s excited to transition into a full-time position as DENR’s Environmental Scientist where he assists with mariculture research, climate adaptation planning, and cleanups of contaminated Tribal lands. In 2014, he graduated from the College at Brockport where he received a BSc in Environmental Science with a concentration in Aquatic Ecology and Biology. While there, he studied thiamine deficiency in Lake Ontario Lake Trout.
Work with us!
Interested in working in our region? Please reach out to us at DENR@eyak-nsn.gov
Job announcements can be found here.
