By Ventura Breeze Staff –
Ventura Land Trust (VLT), a community-based nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of open space in Ventura County, has announced some changes to its Board of Trustees, including members in new officer roles and a new addition.
Joining the VLT board is longtime Ventura resident Dan Wakelee. Dan is a native Californian who has lived in Ventura since childhood. He is a professor emeritus at California State University Channel Islands where he served in a variety of roles including Professor of Political Science and Interim Provost. While at CSUCI he studied public lands, developed a course on national parks, and played a key role in establishing the Santa Rosa Island Research Station. Dan received his A.B. in Political Science from Occidental College, a Master of Public Administration from CSU Northridge, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dan is a lifelong hiker and cyclist who grew up exploring the trails in Ventura County and the Sierras. Among his volunteer activities he, and his wife Joanne, serve as a naturalists with the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary.
“As someone who grew up appreciating Ventura’s unique setting, I am excited to be part of VLT’s work to increase recreation, preserve our environment and increase the resilience of our open spaces,” Dan shared about his decision to join the VLT board.
Other changes include new officer appointments. Assuming the role of President is Andrew (Drew) Powers, and the new Vice President is Russell Galipeau.
Andrew Powers, a native of North Carolina, has over 20 years in local government in cities spanning the East and West coasts. He currently serves as City Manager for the City of Thousand Oaks, California, an agency he joined in 2007 and held the positions of Assistant City Manager and Chief of Staff / Public Information Officer. As City Manager, Andrew is responsible for overseeing municipal operations serving approximately 130,000 residents with 381 employees and two-year Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets in excess of $214 million and $221 million, respectively. Prior to his work in Thousand Oaks, Andrew managed communications & media relations, web development, and community partnerships for the City of Ventura’s Civic Engagement Division. Andrew holds a BS degree from North Carolina State University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University and is an adjunct professor in their MPPA program. Andrew and his wife, Ashley spend much of their free time with their sevenyear-old daughter and enjoy surfing, hiking, and exploring the globe.
Russell Galipeau worked for the National Park Service from 1978 until 2018, when he retired from the position of Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park. His career brought him to work in seven of our nation’s national parks from the tip of Florida (Everglades National Park) to the largest park (Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve) to one of the most iconic parks (Yosemite National Park). He has been honored for his work in conservation as a recipient of the Stephen Tyng Mather Award by the National Parks and Conservation Association (2016) and as a recipient of the National Park Service Director’s Award for Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resources Management (2011). Galipeau was recognized as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Champion in 2015; and for excellence in leading an interdisciplinary team of resource professionals, planners, and consultants to develop the Yosemite Valley Plan and EIS by the Yosemite National Park Department of Interior Honor Award (2001). Galipeau received the George Wright Society Outstanding Natural Resources Management Award in 1997.
He currently serves on the Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL), an appointment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Russell also serves as a part-time professor at California State University, Channel Islands and as a member of the Executive Council for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources Conservation (wildlife ecology) from the University of Florida in 1982 and he has since returned to earn his Masters of Science in Natural Resources Policy and Administration.
