Team Bios
Kevin Zeman
President/CEO
Kevin holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Montana State University and a Master’s degree in Silviculture. He is also a certified Agreement Specialist. With 15 years of experience at the U.S. Forest Service and additional years collaborating with external partners, Kevin specializes in the shared stewardship approach to forest management. Outside of work, Kevin and his family love spending time outdoors, enjoying activities like camping, fishing, and downhill skiing.
Jennifer Baker
Chief Operations Officer
Jennifer grew up exploring the landscapes of Colorado and Montana, where she developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors. She holds a B.S. in Geography and brings a strong management background to her work. As a military spouse, Jennifer has lived around the world with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys biking, running, fly-fishing, and traveling.
Jessica DeSotle
HR & Executive Administrator
Jessica grew up in Northern California, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors. She spent much of her time exploring the wilderness trails of the Sierra Nevada foothills with her horse, Sierra. A skilled Paralegal with 10 years of experience at the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, Jessica brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Outside of her professional life, Jessica and her family stay active with hiking, camping, and paddle boarding.
Stan Baker
Colorado Project Manager
Stan Baker serves as our Colorado Project Manager. With a B.S. in Range Science Management, Stan has extensive experience as a forester with the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Cascade Mountain Resources, and as a regional biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation. An avid hunter, Stan’s deep appreciation for the outdoors continues to inspire his work and personal life.
Luke Cherney
Colorado Lead Forester
Luke holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and an A.A.S. in Environmental Protection Technology from Colorado Mountain College. Growing up in the mountains of Colorado, he developed a lasting passion for the natural world. Throughout his career, Luke has worked with various agencies and organizations, all united by a shared commitment to land stewardship and preserving the environments that sustain us.
Taran Hieb
California Lead Forester
Taran earned his Associate Degree in Forestry and Natural Resources from College of the Redwoods in 2024. As an aspiring registered professional forester, he is dedicated to playing a key role in creating sustainable, healthy forests. When he's not working, Taran enjoys surfing, fishing, backpacking, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Rob DeSotle
Deputy Director
Rob DeSotle earned his bachelor's degree in forestry from Paul Smith's College and has spent the last decade working as a forestry consultant. His experience spans fuel reduction, commercial harvests, landscape assessments, and environmental analysis. In 2020, Rob became a Registered Professional Forester and launched his consulting firm, DG Environmental, the following year. By 2022, DG Environmental partnered with Stewardship West in the Lake Tahoe Basin, successfully managing thousands of acres and developing projects across multiple National Forests in California. In 2024, Stewardship West officially welcomed Rob and the DG Environmental team to continue delivering honest stewardship of our nation's forestlands.
Joe Faryniarz
Certified Wildlife Biologist
Growing up in rural Vermont, Joe developed a fascination with wildlife and the environments they call home. His childhood was spent exploring the woods, encountering wildlife through hiking, hunting, fishing, and various outdoor activities. This passion led him to pursue a degree in Wildlife Biology at Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks, where he earned a B.S. in Wildlife Sciences, along with minors in Chemistry and GIS. His education provided hands-on experience in biology, ecology, forestry, chemistry, and GIS/mapping. Since then, Joe has worked with state and federal agencies, gaining experience in habitat management, wildlife surveys, banding migratory birds, and direct wildlife management. Today, he continues his career with Stewardship West, dedicated to preserving and protecting natural ecosystems.
Madeline Ropp
Soils/Hydrologist Specialist
Madie discovered her passion for the outdoors while growing up in San Diego, CA. Her love for adventure began with backpacking through Southern California, sparking a lifelong interest in exploration. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences with a minor in Biotechnology and is eager to embark on her career, excited to learn and grow in the environmental field.
Meredith Baker
Graphic Design/Social Media Intern
Meredith is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder working toward her Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication. She has experience in social media management, graphic design, and content creation. Meredith enjoys exploring new cultures through travel and has a passion for photography and design, always seeking new ways to express her creativity and connect with others.