Our Staff & Offices

Coupeville

Ebey's Reserve is the first National Historical Reserve designated in the National Park system. Policy oversight is carried out by a nine-member Trust Board composed of local volunteers and representatives from the town of Coupeville, Island County, Washington State Parks, and the National Park Service. The Trust Board carries out specific duties on behalf of the National Park Service through a Cooperative Agreement.

 
Two men in wood shop.
Scott Swenson (L) and Bradley Richardson (R) - the Preservation Carpenters at Ebey's Reserve.

The National Park Service team at Ebey’s Landing includes Acting Superintendent of Operations, Anne Matsov; Scott Swenson, Lead Historic Preservationist; and, Preservationist Bradley Richardson.

This team is responsible for maintenance, preservation and management of 413 acres of NPS-owned land including twelve historic structures, trails, landscapes, utility systems, and related assets.

The team, in collaboration with the Trust Board, provides technical assistance to private landowners on historic preservation throughout the Reserve. Beyond the Reserve boundaries, the team provides training, technical help, and hands-on preservation assistance to other NPS units and various federal, state and local municipalities.

The National Park Service business office is located at the Reuble Farm.
Phone: 360.678.4645 or 360.678.5787.
To email National Park staff at Ebey's Reserve:
Scott Swenson, Lead Preservation Carpenter

 

Office of the Trust Board of Ebey's Landing NHR:

The Cottage at Sunnyside
162 Cemetery Rd.
Coupeville, WA 98239

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Mailing Address: PO Box 774, Coupeville, WA 98239
Phone: 360.678.6084

 
Reserve Manager, Marie Shimada
Marie Shimada, Reserve Manager

Marie Shimada, Reserve Manager

Marie Shimada grew up on Whidbey Island, graduating from South Whidbey High School. She earned a BA from the University of Washington and a JD from the University of San Diego School of Law. Marie has spent her recent career advocating for farmland preservation in the nonprofit sector. When she is not working, Marie can be found in the garden, on horseback, or walking her dog.

 
Smiling woman in front of waterfall.
Carol Castellano, Office Manager
Carol Castellano, Program Coordinator
Carol Castellano has been with the Reserve since 2012. During that time, she has managed office functions including providing administrative duties and bookkeeping for the Trust Board. Her position also welcomes visitors to the Reserve, providing publications, maps and other collaterals such as Junior Ranger Books. She provides logistical support for interpretive programs, manages the financials of the Ebey's Forever Grant program, and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Volunteer-In-Parks program.
 
Sheepherder House with New Roof
Sheepherders house with new roof

Photo courtesy of NPS


Trust Board of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
The Trust Board is a nine-member body made up of local citizens and government appointees. Members serve four year terms and represent all levels of state and local government. The Trust Board staff at Ebey’s Landing include three permanent staff - the Reserve Manager; the Preservation Coordinator, and the Office Administrator.

Working with the Trust Board representatives, staff assists with outreach and education, as well as working with the Town of Coupeville and Island County on issues relating to historic preservation within the historic district. In cooperation with the Friends of Ebey's, the Trust Board offers grants and programs throughout the Reserve to help preserve this national treasure.

Town of Coupeville Representatives

 
Woman sitting in front of lake and mountains.

Sally Garratt - Position #1

Sally is a retired attorney who has worked as a federal prosecutor and as the head of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Program. After leaving private practice, she and her husband moved to Whidbey Island in 2010, settling in “downtown” Coupeville. Sally is the fourth generation of her family to come to Whidbey Island and now her children and grandchildren are continuing the connection to our beautiful community. Sally is passionate about maintaining the rural and historical character of the Reserve for the next generation to enjoy.

 
Woman standing in front of trees, smiling.
Lisa Bernhardt - Position #2
I have lived on Whidbey Island more than 35 years and love to share the bounty of all that is here with locals and visitors alike. I am very keen about preserving our precious way of life here and very mindful of all the resources we have. Currently, I am the Ex. Director of the Pacific Northwest Art School, and serve on the Island County 2% Lodging Tax Advisory Board, and the Economic Development Council. I have served previously as the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Board President. "I consider myself a passionate steward of all things Coupeville related: people, community, art school, and of course, the Reserve!"
 
Man in plaid shirt in front of log barn.
Andrew Ziehl - Position #3

Andrew is a software engineer and outdoor enthusiast who grew up on both coasts, and moved to Washington from Boston in 2013. After moving to Coupeville, he and his spouse immediately recognized the beauty and uniqueness of Ebey’s Reserve. They can imagine no better place to raise their daughter. As an owner of a historic home on the Reserve and a parent, Andrew is invested in the mission to protect and preserve Ebey’s Reserve.
 

Island County Representatives
 
Woman riding mule on paved path.
Erin Borden - Position #4
Erin is a Washington state native with over 30 years of education, outreach, and research experience in the agricultural/biological sciences. She is presently a Farm Natural Resource Specialist for the Whidbey Island Conservation District. She is an avid outdoors woman and animal lover. Erin, her husband and their three children moved to Whidbey Island 15 years ago and enjoy growing fruit, vegetables, hay, and animals great and small on their farm. Having watched many formerly rural communities rapidly urbanize, Erin is passionate about maintaining the rural and historic character of this area.
 
Man sitting in farm field
Clark Bishop - Position #5
Clark joined the Trust Board in 2021. Born and raised in Coupeville, Clark is a sixth-generation farmer on Ebey’s Prairie. He received his M.A. in Applied Economics from Washington State University and spent two years with the U.S. Peace Corps in Moldova as an Agriculture and Rural Business Development volunteer prior to settling back into life on the farm. Clark is committed to maintaining the viability of agriculture in the Reserve and the stewardship of the Reserve's unique resources.
 
Man in hat standing in front of farm field.

Alan Hancock - Position #6

Alan Hancock was born in Coupeville and is the fourth generation to reside on the family farm, Aloha Farms, on Ebey’s Prairie. He served 32 years as an Island County superior court judge, retiring from his position, but not from life, in 2021. He and his wife, Elizabeth Hancock, were married in 1975. Their pride and joy is their family, son Benjamin Hancock and his wife Wendy, their grandchildren Terrence and Silas, and daughter Emily Hancock and husband Josh Kensok. Alan’s hobby is bagpiping and one of his major interests is the stewardship of the Reserve and the conservation of natural resources.

 
Tall ship sailing up to red wharf building.
Jeff Sturm - Position #7

Jeff and his family settled in Coupeville in 2018, having previously lived in Everett, Washington where Jeff retired from U.S. Navy in 2015. During Jeff’s 26-1/2 years in the Navy he was a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, serving on seven different ship types, including command of two Coastal Patrol class ships operating in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Post-retirement, Jeff and his family spent 2-1/2 years traveling full-time, visiting 39 states and over 102 National Park sites. Jeff and his family fell in love with Coupeville because of its friendly community, natural beauty, and significant history. With his small-town midwestern farming community roots, Jeff feels a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship to protect and preserve this beautiful and historic corner of Puget Sound. Jeff holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, an MBA from the College of William and Mary, and an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is currently a stay-at-home Dad.

 

Washington State Parks Appointee
 
Man in hat with mountains behind.

Chris Holm - Position #8
Appointed by Washington State Parks

Chris Holm is the Area Manager for the Central Whidbey Area of Washington State Parks, which includes all state parks on Whidbey Island south of Deception Pass. Within the Reserve, those parks are Fort Ebey, Ebey's Landing and Fort Casey. Prior to assuming this position, Chris was a Park Superintendent in Texas State Parks for 13 years and a Senior Park Ranger in Colorado State Parks for 12 years prior to that. Chris grew up in central Texas (San Antonio area) and has a passion for history, nature and the outdoors... so making a move to the Pacific Northwest to join the Washington State Parks team on Whidbey Island was a natural fit.

 

National Park Service Appointee
 
Man holding box with blackberries.
David Louter - Position #9
Appointed by the National Park Service
David is Chief of the Cultural Resources Program for the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service, and works out of the Seattle Regional Office.

Last updated: September 1, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 774
Coupeville, WA 98239

Phone:

360 678-6084

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