OUR TEAM

Our staff and board of directors have decades of experience as fishermen in Southeast Alaska and as advocates for fisheries sustainability and marine resource health.

Staff

Willow Moore - Operations Director

Willow Moore was delighted to join the dynamic ASFT team in 2016. Throughout her 20 years of work in the nonprofit sector, Ms. Moore specialized in executive management, program development, and sustainability, working to build and support business strategies and objectives through effective marketing plans, increased partnerships, developing performance-measurement systems, and improved integration of quality, operational, and financial information. Ms. Moore has lived in Sitka since 2001 and is deeply committed to the economic viability of Alaska’s coastal communities. Willow holds a degree in nursing, an undergraduate degree in history and psychology, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska.

Natalie Sattler - Deputy & Programs Director

Natalie Sattler is thrilled to be working as the Communications and Program Coordinator for ASFT.

Natalie holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology/Early Literacy from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a master’s of science degree in Natural Resource Management and Natural Science Education from the University of Wyoming. Natalie’s passion lies in supporting sustainable environments and economies. Natalie has worked for multiple non-profits in the past providing educational, outreach, and communication direction and support in various communities. Most recently, Natalie taught math and science to elementary-aged students for several years.

Laurinda Marcello - Contract Office Manager

Laurinda Marcello joined ASFT in 2020. She grew up in Sitka and returned to the community after completing her education. Laurinda holds a B.A. in biology with a minor in math from Lewis & Clark College and a M.S. in fisheries from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Prior to joining ASFT Laurinda engaged in science and fisheries research for over a decade and more recently transitioned into the non-profit sector. Laurinda also serves as the head instructor for Kenwa Karate of Sitka. She currently resides in Sitka with her family where she enjoys sport fishing, hiking, and bike riding.

Lauren Howard, Policy Coordinator

Lauren comes from a long background of work at sea but has transitioned to life on land as a passionate advocate for small boat fishermen and coastal communities. Her family owns and operates the FV Norfjord, a longline and troll vessel out of Sitka Alaska. She currently serves on the Advisory Panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. When not advocating for our local fishermen she enjoys hiking, swimming, harvesting from the land and the sea and sharing the beautiful experiences of life in Alaska with her son.

Emily Scott, Program and Outreach Coordinator

Emily is very excited to be a part of a dynamic team focused on ensuring community access to sustainable fisheries. Emily fell in love with Sitka many years ago and, in 2022, fulfilled her dream of making her home here. She is especially grateful to be a guest on Lingít Aaní. After her first week in town, Emily heard about ALFA’s Crew Apprentice Program and immediately applied. Emily’s experiences crewing for Eric Jordan inspired her to become more involved in Fisheries Policy and Advocacy. Emily has a BA in Earth & Environmental Science from Boston University and has participated in the BU Marine Program and SEA Semester. Outside of work, Emily enjoys volunteering at the White Elephant Thrift Shop, hosting a radio show on KCAW, and crewing on the F/V I Gotta!

Board of Directors

Linda Behnken - Director and President

Linda Behnken began fishing in 1982, starting as a crew member on a number of different longline, troll, and crab boats, fishing the waters from Sitka to the Bering Sea, and eventually bought her own small commercial fishing boat. In 1991, Linda became the Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association. In 1992 she was appointed to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and served three consecutive three-year terms. During that time, she also served as an industry advisor to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, the National Academy of Science Individual Fishing Quota Review Panel, and co-chaired the Council's Essential Fish Habitat committee. Currently, Linda is the Board chair of two other Alaska-based non-profits: the Halibut Coalition and the Island Institute. Linda has a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a graduate degree from Yale University. She lives in Sitka and has a 40-foot troller/longliner call F/V Woodstock, which she fishes with her spouse and two young sons, who have been on the boat since they were 5 months old.

Dan Falvey - Vice President and Secretary

Dan Falvey has fished commercially in Alaska since 1981, participating in longline fisheries for halibut, sablefish and rockfish, as well as the troll salmon fisheries and the dive fisheries for abalone and sea cucumber. Dan has a B.A. from Western Washington University in Resource Management and Policy. He served on the Advisory Panel of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from 1991-2004 and was recently appointed to the Advisory Panel of the North Pacific Research Board. Dan was awarded the National Fisherman "Highliner of the Year” in 2011. He is a founding member of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust and currently serves as board treasurer. Dan resides in Sitka.

Greg Indreland, Director and Treasurer

Greg Indreland is a managing partner of Yakutat Seafoods, a fish processing venture in Yakutat, Alaska, where he resides. Greg has also been a commercial fisherman in numerous fisheries in Alaska, from Southeast longlining to Bering Sea crabbing. He is deeply involved in his family and community and plays for Yakutat in the Master's Division at the annual Gold Medal basketball tournament in Juneau. He brings a high level of knowledge, energy, and commitment to our board.

Karen Johnson- Director

Tad Fujioka - Director

Seabank Advisory Board

Sam Skaggs

Sam Skaggs is a registered investment advisor with 30 years experience managing portfolios and giving financial advice to individuals and organizations in Alaska. Skaggs is also the President of the Skaggs Foundation, a small family foundation that has been funding conservation projects and helping to build community in Alaska since 1988.

Liz McKenzie

Liz McKenzie is an award-winning writer and filmmaker based in Sitka, Alaska. Her work focuses on the nature, science, and traditional ecological knowledge of Alaska. Her projects have been supported by various organizations including NOAA, the North Pacific Research Board, the Educational Foundation of America, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and Encounters: Radio Experiences of the North. Her films have been featured at numerous film festivals and conferences throughout the United States and internationally, including the Wildlife Vaasa Nature Film Festival, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, the American Geophysical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Alaska Geographic Ocean Film Festival, the Explorer’s Club Polar Film Festival, and the American Documentary Film Festival.