Brian Brooks, Executive Director
bbrooks@idahowildlife.org
Brian grew up in Idaho hunting and fishing in every corner of the state. He has had a fly rod or spinning rod in his hands since he was four years old and began hunting birds and big game at 12. Idaho’s extensive system of public lands kept Brian in pursuit of fish and game further and further into the backcountry. Combining the exploration of Idaho’s seemingly limitless wild places with the primal participation in the cycle of life and death, Brian developed a respect and reverence for land and wildlife and the active role sportsmen and women play in their management.
The realization that our accessible public lands, clean waters, and robust fish and wildlife populations didn’t happen on accident motivated Brian to pursue an education that would give him the tools to work to preserve and enhance the opportunities he grew up with for others, forever. He received a B.S. in Conservation Social Science, a Masters of Natural Resources, and a Certificate in Restoration Ecology from the University of Idaho, with a thesis focus of managing Idaho’s forests for resource extraction and ecosystem resilience. Brian’s professional experience includes leading habitat restoration and trail crews, forestry, salmon and steelhead restoration, wildlife rehab/sanctuary manager, outdoor writer, and natural resource policy.
Besides fishing and hunting, Brian enjoys mountain and road biking, skiing and snowboarding, backpacking, and morel hunting.
Daniel Ritz, Communications & Outreach Coordinator
Daniel is an experienced outdoor journalist and communications manager based in Boise. In addition to his experience as a newspaper reporter and editor, Ritz’s writing and photography has been published in a variety of conservation publications.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ritz graduated from Salisbury University on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2009 with Bachelor's Degrees in Journalism and Philosophy. He resides in Boise with his partner Holly, their Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named Trout and an oversized cat named Julio.
Garret Visser, Conservation Program Coordinator
gvisser@idahowildlife.org
Garret grew up on the coast of South Carolina where his earliest memories were coaxing outboards to run and fly fishing in the saltwater marshes behind home. He received a B.S. in Wildlife Biology with a focus on aquatics from the University of Montana and a Master of Studies in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. Garret has worked as a fly fishing guide across Western Montana and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. He has worked collaboratively with landowners and public land managers to restore big game migration corridors that were blocked for decades.
Garret’s passion is chasing around bird dogs on wild birds and he is rarely found on the river or in the field without his Lab by his side. Because of Garret’s passion, he is an effective advocate for public lands and works to elevate the voice of sportsmen and women to better the future of wildlife management decisions. He enjoys training gun dogs, fly fishing, hunting, and enjoying the West’s vast public land opportunities.
Kyle Maki, North Idaho Field Representative
kmaki@idahowildlife.org
Kyle grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where he spent many of his waking hours either hunting, fishing, or trapping in the forest or on the water surrounding his home. He then took his love for the outdoors to Michigan State University where he received a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife with a concentration in Fisheries Biology and Management. Since then, his work experience includes habitat restoration crew leader, fishing guide, fisheries technician for IDFG, stone mason, concrete worker, and carpenter to name a few.
Since moving to Idaho, he has made the most of the abundant and varied big game hunting and fishing opportunities across the state. Along with hunting and fishing, he also enjoys hiking and camping with his wife and two young children.
rebecca gordon, director of development
Rebecca Gordon grew up hunting and fishing with her dad in the Sierra Nevada mountains. As an adult, she and her husband passed those passions on to their children. While raising her kids, she worked with the High Adventure Training (HAT) Team for the Boy Scouts of America and taught Wilderness Survival, OKPIK (cold weather camping), and backpacking to adult leaders.
These days, her love for the outdoors keeps her on the trails either running, hiking, or snowshoeing, depending on the season. In the warmer months, you’ll probably find her on a river or lake on her SUP. She has been working in the development field since 2010 and now focuses on the conservation of Idaho’s wildlife, public lands, and sportsmen's rights.
Besides pursuing outdoor activities, Rebecca enjoys time with her husband and their two dogs, Daisy a mellow lab and Bleu, a not so mellow Dutch Shepherd.