Founder and CEO

Dr. Ben West is the founder and CEO of Risora Consulting and a conservation strategist with 30 years of experience spanning higher education, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations. He specializes in developing strategies, partnerships, funding, and organizational capacity needed to move complex conservation initiatives from ideas to measurable results.

Ben has served as a professor, Extension specialist, senior university administrator, fundraiser, facilitator, and advisor to organizations working in conservation, agriculture, natural-resource management, and outdoor recreation. His work brings together diverse partners and disciplines to address complex challenges involving land, water, wildlife, and working landscapes. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in wildlife biology from Utah State University. He has completed advanced training in negotiation, facilitation, strategic planning, communication, conflict management, and leadership development.

Dr. Steve McMullin is an associate professor emeritus in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment and an expert in natural-resource planning, stakeholder engagement, leadership, and communication. During 27 years on the Virginia Tech faculty, he researched the human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife management, helped numerous state wildlife agencies establish strategic priorities, and advised agencies on program development and funding. He also founded and led the College of Natural Resources Leadership Institute and served as interim head of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation. 

Over more than 35 years, Steve has helped over 2,000 natural-resource professionals strengthen their leadership and communication skills. Before joining Virginia Tech, he worked as a fisheries biologist and ultimately led Montana’s Fisheries Management Bureau. Steve holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fisheries science from the University of Idaho and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. His peers elected him president of the American Fisheries Society in 2017–18, and the Society later recognized him as a Fellow.

After graduating from Virginia Tech’s Forestry and Wildlife program with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation, Geoff Call began a conservation career in Tennessee in 1993. He worked on contracts with the Tennessee Conservation League (now Tennessee Wildlife Federation) and The Nature Conservancy before joining the Conservation Program at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma in 1996, where he gained experience in conservation planning and ecological restoration. Soon after completing an M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Tech University, he joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2004, where he coordinated endangered species recovery and ecological restoration efforts across Tennessee, working with government, NGO, and private partners. Since retiring from the federal government in 2025, he has provided conservation and outdoor recreation consulting services through The Outdoor Experience in Cookeville. He currently leads recreation planning efforts on the Duck, Harpeth, and Sequatchie rivers as part of a team assembled by Risora Consulting, LLC to develop recreation plans for 15 rivers in partnership with the BluewaysTN program under the Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Hailing from rural West Tennessee, Michele's upbringing nurtured an affinity for agriculture and nature.  Armed with B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Tennessee, she embarked on a dynamic journey spanning education, entrepreneurship, and relationship-building. Now, she is a seasoned development professional with the ability to develop the strategies, creating the pitches, and building the relationships needed to fuel fundraising success. With a strong background in conservation and agriculture fundraising, Michele helps clients generate more money to drive their missions.

Andy Carroll is a Co-Founder and CTO at Skytec, a remote sensing and geospatial technology company specializing in the application of satellite-based remote monitoring and spatial data analytics for natural resource management. Prior to Skytec, Andy managed and directed the Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and served as a Project Manager at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Andy is a certified GIS Professional and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lyndhurst Foundation and the Appalachian Carbon Exchange. 

Ben Fowler is the founder of PARKS360 and a natural resource professional specializing in river recreation planning, visitor use management, and applied geospatial technologies. With over 16 years of experience across federal, state, and non-profit systems — and a Ph.D. nearly complete at Clemson University — he brings both research rigor and real-world field experience to Risora's projects.

Michael Sacomani is the owner and operator of Saline River Canoe Inc. in Benton, Arkansas, where he has spent years connecting people to the Saline River through recreation, education, and conservation. He is an ACA-certified kayaking instructor, an active river advocate, a commissioner for Keep Arkansas Beautiful, a board member of the Saline River Watershed Alliance, and president of Saline Crossing Regional Park and Recreation Area. Michael has also worked in stakeholder engagement for the BluewaysTN project, helping connect with outfitters, river-based businesses, and community partners. In addition to his outdoor recreation work, Michael is also a contractor and home builder, bringing a practical, hands-on perspective to access, infrastructure, and community development.

Jack Cornell grew up in rural Southwestern Ohio, where he found his passion in maximizing the benefits of both native ecosystems as well as cropping systems. Jack has over 15 years of effectively creating and implementing sustainability strategies that include decarbonization across Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions that improve supply chain sustainability metrics. Jack strives is creating holistic solutions to complicated supply chain resiliency problems. Jack has forged strong cross functional partnerships with members from biotechnology, Ag industry, farmers, conservation groups, government and animal and row crop trade organizations.

Darrell comes with a BS in Fish and Wildlife Management, and a MS in Zoology followed by 34 years of natural resource management experience working for three state agencies in two states and a decade-long stint in private sector work.  Darrell has expanded the science based conservation management approach into recreational access planning and development with a special focus on rivers.  Darrell has experience in another state creating conservation recreation partnership river management plans. 

David Gagner, Principal and Founder of Compass Conservation Strategies LLC, is a conservation leader with 30 years of experience in policy, partnerships, strategy, and communications. He helps agriculture and conservation organizations advance voluntary conservation, secure funding, protect habitat, and improve water resources. At the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, he managed partnerships with 16 federal agencies and helped secure more than $1 billion for nationwide projects. He also held leadership roles with the National Association of Conservation Districts and Ducks Unlimited and served as a Bush administration appointee and chief of staff at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Dave earned a B.A. in political science from Bowling Green State University and is a U.S. Army veteran.

RKO

Erin Gundy is a consultant with RKO Consulting specializing in agriculture and conservation. She previously worked as a Soil Health Educator at the Soil Health Institute working in corn and soybean systems across the Midwest in support of the Farmers for Soil Health Climate-Smart Commodities Partnership. Prior to SHI, she served as Resource Conservationist, then STAR Operations Manager, for the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District in Illinois where she provided technical assistance to farmers and educators and worked with partners to develop and execute programs through grant management and community engagement.

Erin, an Indiana native, received her B.S. in Agronomy with a minor in Natural Resource and Environmental Science and her M.S. in Agronomy from Kansas State University. Her research focused on developing a commodity crop productivity index for Kansas based on inherent soil properties.

RKO

Dr. Rachel K. Owen is a distinguished consultant and policy expert specializing in sustainable agriculture and science policy. As the Principal Consultant and Owner of RKO Consulting, she and her team leverage extensive experience to advise on federal agriculture policy, facilitate strategic planning, develop policy engagement strategies, and provide project management for organizations and nonprofits.

Holding a Ph.D. in Soil Science and Agronomy, Dr. Owen brings deep scientific knowledge to the intersection of science, policy, and agriculture. Her commitment to bridging this gap is further exemplified by her co-founding of MOST Policy Initiative, where she pioneered 'Science Notes'—a nationwide model for delivering nonpartisan scientific information to policymakers.

EDG

Danny Collins brings a multidisciplinary background in architecture, business, outdoor recreation, and experiential design to Ecological Design Group as their Director of Experience. With dual master’s degrees in architecture and business administration, Danny’s career has taken him from New York City to Ecuador, where he served as Expedition Manager for a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, building expertise in adventure tourism and environmentally conscious development. After returning to the Ozarks, he founded 37 North Expeditions, an outdoor guiding company focused on creating accessible, community-driven outdoor experiences. His passion for connecting people with nature brought him to the EDG team, along with a shared interest in supporting studioDRIFT’s mission to strengthen communities through resilient design, recreation, and meaningful place-making.

EDG

studioDRIFT Executive Director Ammen Jordan leads initiatives focused on strengthening Arkansas communities through outdoor recreation, active transportation, and resilient infrastructure. Originally from Fayetteville, Ammen earned a degree in Earth Science from the University of Arkansas before building a diverse career in environmental recreation, youth athletics, impact investing, and community development across the country. His work has included managing Junior Olympic kayaking programs, developing trail systems in Louisiana, and leading transformative active transportation and ecological restoration projects at the University of Arkansas. Since returning to Northwest Arkansas in 2018, Ammen has become a key advocate for creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities through sustainable design and outdoor access.

EDG

Ecological Design Group founder Martin Smith was born and raised in the Arkansas Delta, where a deep connection to the region’s culture, ecology, and communities shaped his approach to design. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Oklahoma State University in 1995 and gaining professional experience in Colorado and Texas, Martin returned to Arkansas in 2001 with a vision for resilient, ecology-driven design. In 2008, he co-founded EDG alongside Tanner Weeks, helping establish the firm as a leader in holistic, award-winning landscape architecture centered on stormwater systems, public space integration, and environmental adaptability. Martin’s long-term commitment to the Delta also led to the creation of an award-winning regional revitalization vision in 2015, which later became the foundation for studioDRIFT, a nonprofit focused on sustainable rural infrastructure and healthy community development.

With degrees in accounting and a client-focused approach to everything she does, Kim runs the back office of Risora and serves as our business manager. Whether it is contracting, billing, invoicing, or recordkeeping, Kim makes it easy for our clients to work with us. 

Working with a variety of agricultural organizations, B3 is a boutique firm that offers tailored, creative marcom solutions. B3 leads communications for Farmers for Soil Health, TN Soybean, and works closely with other organizations that are leading the way in agriculture.