Meet the Team
Jamie Whiteford
Executive Director
Jamie Whiteford, the new Executive Director of the Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD), brings over two decades of experience in environmental science, agricultural best practices, and project management. Jamie holds a PhD in Soil and Water Sciences from the University of California, Riverside, an MSc in Oceanography and a BSc in Biochemistry from Old Dominion University. Before stepping into the role of Executive Director, Jamie served as the Director of Projects and Grants at VCRCD, where he led his team on over 100 conservation and restoration initiatives, collaborating with landowners, regulatory bodies, and agricultural leaders. Jamie’s career is marked by a commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through successful management of grant-funded projects focused on irrigation efficiency, carbon sequestration, and habitat restoration. His prior experience includes faculty positions in environmental and agricultural sciences at various colleges, where he was recognized for excellence in teaching and research. Jamie has published several works on environmental science and continues to be an active contributor to the field through presentations and advisory roles.
Deb Barringer
Restoration Ecologist
Deb Barringer, Restoration Ecologist, holds an M.S. in Ecology and has spent many years assessing and documenting human disturbance to landscapes. She was a consulting scientist with several firms when she conducted a variety of species surveys and contributed to environmental assessments and mitigation measures for federal, industry, and private projects. She uses her biological and gardening experience to plan appropriate native plants to restore habitat functions for local wildlife and for land recovery. She is on the Board of Ventura Audubon and a member of the Native Plant Society.
Vic Akundzadah
Irrigation Specialist
Vic is the Resource Conservation District Irrigation Specialist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Vic performs irrigation evaluations on farms to assist growers with best management practices for irrigation efficiency. He has been with the district for over 10 years and developed VCRCD’s Mobile Irrigation Laboratory.
Heidi Ortloff
Conservation Education and Outreach Coordinator
Heidi Ortloff earned her Masters of Arts in Public History with a focus on California History from California State University, Fullerton. Having previously worked for California State Parks for over five years as well as a county parks agency she enjoyed combining her passion for history with her love of nature by creating curriculum around topics such as historic ranching practices, the evolution of the citrus industry, Spanish colonization, and Native American history. She has also lead programs on beach ecology, marine environments, geology, and native plants. She loves incorporating the history of people and cultures while exploring nature and hopes that this knowledge can be used to create change in communities. When she isn’t making her dog take pictures with her she enjoys attempting to sew, paint, garden, and revive failed craft projects.
Emily Nye
Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Specialist
Emily Nye is our Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Specialist. She loves empowering and collaborating with the community on produce knowledge, farming techniques, regenerative agriculture, and all things nature. She is passionate about finding equitable solutions to build resilient communities. Her undergraduate and graduate training was in Pennsylvania focused on Environmental Science and Sustainability. She loved growing up on farmland and later working on an educational organic farm so much so she hopes to have her own farm someday. Outside of work, Emily enjoys hiking, backpacking, crafting, reading, and spending time with her dog and partner.
Johnagustin Zecua
Resource Conservation Technician
Johnagustin graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agriculture and Environmental plant science with a concentration in Plant Protection. While in school, he focused on studying entomology, plant pathology, and vertebrate pest control. He also has a vast background in the nursery industry, from growing up in his family’s nursery. John, a Ventura County native, is excited to help the surrounding community. Outside of work, John loves to mountain bike, go to the beach, and collect rare plants
Lauren Zaragoza
Resource Conservation Technician
Lauren Zaragoza focuses on supporting the watershed health and fire and fuels management teams with the resource conservation district. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Cal Poly SLO in Environmental Management and Protection with a minor in Wildlife Biology and Latin American studies. Most of her time has been spent monitoring endangered and threatened salmonids across California where she ultimately grew a deep love for snorkeling river rapids. Additionally, she has contributed to the monitoring efforts of the Foothill yellow-legged frog, CA rockfish species, the Northern elephant seal, and has done a handful of work in native plant restoration. By forging new and meaningful partnerships she hopes to integrate the work of advocating for ecosystem health with community well-being and revitalizing cultural connections to the land. Outside of work you can catch her in the water (be it the rain, local swimming holes, or ocean waves) and scheming for her next big trip.
Emma Youngquist
Resource Conservation Technician
Emma Youngquist recently earned her Masters in Environmental Managment from Western Colorado University. She specialized in restoring wet meadow and riparian systems, focusing her efforts on threatened Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat. Prior to going back to school, she worked with the Southwest Colorado Research Center studying soil health practices such as cover crop rotations. She earned her Bachelor of Science from UC San Diego in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution. Emma is passionate about promoting and supporting local food systems, habitat restoration, and wildlife of all sorts. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and being outdoors.
Alicia Miramontez
Administrative Coordinator
Alicia is deeply passionate about sustainability and enjoys exploring the outdoors. When she’s not in nature, she loves traveling and immersing herself in different cultures. Although she holds a degree in Accounting from the State of Arizona, her hands-on experience in agriculture has reignited her childhood love for the environment. This newfound enthusiasm has driven her to pursue a career in Environmental Science, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact on the planet.
Jia Wiebe
Conservation Ecologist
Jia Wiebe graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management with a minor in Biology. For the last six years of Jia’s career, she had been working with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) as a vegetation restoration field technician and crew lead. Over at SAMO, she had discovered her passion for conservation, restoration, and the protection of natural resources. She had a vast and essential role in planting over 100,000 native plants in the Santa Monica Mountains. She loves to educate the public, students, and her crew about the flora and fauna located in southern California. By establishing new and meaningful connections Jia hopes to spread her passion about conservation and to make sure the natural resources will be here for many generations to come. In her free time, Jia enjoys walking the beach with her dog, looking for sea-glass, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Kevin Mason
Fire Preparedness Coordinator
Kevin Mason has a BS in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University and 9 years of experience doing botany fieldwork for different agencies. He is passionate about the interconnectedness of fire and native plant communities across the Pacific West, particularly with regard to Indigenous burning practices and their impact on native plant communities in the past and present. Prior to starting at VCRCD, he worked as a conservation technician at Feather River Resource Conservation District (FRRCD) in Plumas County CA. At FRRCD, he participated with under-burns in mixed black oak/conifer plant communities and monitored some of the effects of burning on native plant communities there. He has also monitored fire effects to native plant communities across southern California. Kevin looks forward to collaborating with people across Southern California and learning more about how fire can be used as a tool to protect communities of people and preserve ecosystems across Ventura County. Outside of work, you can find him crawling in the dirt looking for truffles or swimming in the ocean.
Rachel Ray
Resource Conservation Technician
Rachel Ray pursued a degree in environmental science from California Lutheran University and focused on wildlife ecology and conservation. Since then, she has found her passion for habitat restoration and the plants that are found in a variety of ecosystems. She has worked in many environments around Ventura County. The majority of her work has consisted of riparian restoration with the center of attention on Arundo donax removal within the Santa Clara and Ventura River. The connection she has made to this area and its inhabitants drives her dedication and enthusiasm to conserve the natural world around her. When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors in the sun, whether it’s at the beach or a trail.
Our Interns
Jacob Hahn
Conservation Science Intern
Jacob Hahn is a conservation science intern at the Ventura County Resource Conservation District. He is currently a high school student with a passion for preserving and protecting the environment. As an intern at the conservation district, Jacob is gaining valuable experience in the field of conservation, working to protect and restore natural resources in the Ventura County area. In addition to his work at the conservation district, Jacob is an active member of his school’s recycling club, where he works to educate and engage his peers in environmental causes.
Aiden Bak
Conservation Science Intern
Aiden Bak is a high school student at Newbury Park High School with a strong passion for conserving the environment. As an intern at the Ventura Country Resource Conservation District, he seeks to gain valuable experience in environmental conservation and contribute to protecting natural resources through working in the field and with his team. Aiden is also involved in his school’s recycling club, where he actively promotes environmental awareness and encourages sustainable practices among his peers. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, spending time with his close ones, and playing the saxophone.
Remembering Debra Gillis
Debra Gillis
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Debra Gillis. Debra has been a member of the VCRCD team for over 16 years. Most recently Debra served as our Executive Director, from 2017 to 2024. Debra was a devoted animal lover who loved dogs and raising desert tortoises. Her absence from our team will be deeply felt.