“I am driven to do some good in the world while building a career that I can take pride in.”
Teams: Water Resources Engineering
Tyson Hounsel
Rod Lundberg
“A lifetime of exploring natural systems has given me a deep appreciation for the diversity of these ecosystems and a passion for enhancing these habitats.”
Karina Nordahl
“I grew up exploring the woods, wetlands, and streams so working to improve them was a natural fit.”
Maddie McNamee
“Project priorities centered on conservation and restoration is often unlocked by underlying data during the design process.”
John Rogers
“I enjoy supporting sustainable design in natural and built environments by bridging the gaps between environmental sciences, geographic modeling, land surveying, and cartography.”
Rachel Williams
“I am proud of the expertise and passion our team brings to river restoration and I enjoy working across disciplines to elevate the quality of rivers in our community.”
Trista Kobluskie
Trista’s proclaimed superpower is finding the nexus between engineering, science and policy to create implementable plans for communities. She is able to practice her power in working with stormwater managers throughout the Pacific Northwest to bring projects to successful completion. The nonprofits that Trista supports convey an appreciation for many facets of society from homes for foster children to land trusts and trail builders. You can find Trista hiking, kayaking and camping, or putting on her dancing shoes because who doesn’t enjoy a little Salsa?
Philip Kenyon
“I’m an environmentalist at heart, and ensuring that we develop a sustainable relationship with our natural environment is crucial to human condition.”
Russell Gaston
Russell is the Director of Water and Natural Resources (WNR) company-wide, working out of Otak’s Redmond office. A graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, he started his career working as a general civil engineer. It was here where he got the opportunity to work in several different roles, including as a structural engineer, site development engineer, roadway engineer, and a water resources engineer. After 5 years of trying various civil engineering specialties, Russell realized his true passion was for water resources engineering and decided to focus his career on those pursuits. Since joining Otak in 1997, Russell enjoys the opportunity to work with a diverse group of smart professionals on varying projects all benefiting the environment.
When he is not leading the WNR practice, Russell can be found outdoors camping, biking, riding quads and watching movies and sporting events. He participated in the South Sound Communities StormFest Educational program, a hands-on, one-day, outdoor stormwater and watershed science education program for middle school students. In addition, he has been a guest speaker at his local high school and at community college career fairs. When he is not volunteering and educating young minds, Russell also repairs hiking trails in the Puget Sound region.