James River Association Staff

Bill Street
Executive Director
(804) 788-8811, ext 201
bstreet@jrava.org

William H. Street is the Executive Director for the James River Association located in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Street is responsible for overseeing all of JRA’s efforts to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of the James River’s unique natural and historic resources. Mr. Street manages JRA’s four core programs: River Advocacy, Riverkeeper, Watershed Restoration, and Education and Outreach.

Prior to joining JRA in April 2005, Mr. Street worked for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for ten years where he served in multiple capacities, most recently as the Director of Watershed Restoration. At CBF, Mr. Street was responsible for managing and coordinating all of CBF’s watershed restoration work, including on-the-ground wetland and riparian restoration projects, agricultural practices, and volunteer restoration programs. Mr. Street has led state and regional policy initiatives related to water quality, watershed restoration, agriculture and land protection. Previously, Mr. Street had worked for a private consulting firm, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. in Newport News, Virginia as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duke University Wetland Center, and the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia.

Mr. Street has received a Master of Environmental Management with a concentration in wetland ecology from Duke University and a Master of Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. He also has received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

Chuck Frederickson
Lower James Riverkeeper
(804) 337-9283
keeper@jrava.org


Chuck has held the position of the Lower James River Riverkeeper for the James River Association since May 2003. A native of the river town of Hopewell, Virginia, he has always loved the river. His previous experience includes 19 years service with the Department of the Army and ten years with the Hopewell, Virginia Public Schools. A Coast Guard licensed Captain, he has run charter fishing and guiding operations on the Chesapeake Bay and the James River. Mr. Frederickson is also a registered commercial fisherman. He holds an MEd in Education Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University and a BA in History from East Carolina University.

David Sligh
Upper James Riverkeeper
(434) 964-7635
dsligh@jrava.org


David joined JRA as the Upper James River Riverkeeper in 2008. He grew up hiking, boating and fishing in the Upper James River and has deep roots in the region. Mr. Sligh's experience includes being Executive Director for the Soque River Watershed Association in Georgia and the Southeastern Regional Representative for American Rivers. For more than 13 years he worked on water quality issues for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and its predecessor, Virginia State Water Control Board, where his responsibilities included portions of the Upper James River. He holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia, a law degree from Vermont Law School, and is founder of the Virginia Chapter of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. He also has taught several college level classes in environmental science.

Sherrie Tribble
Special Events and Projects Manager
(804) 788-8811, ext 202
stribble@jrava.org

Sherrie Tribble began working for the James River Association as a Lee Davis COE Student in 1987.  Throughout her tenure with JRA, Sherrie has grown from a part-time clerical staff position to the Special Events and Projects Manager.  Sherrie’s primary responsibilities are to oversee all JRA events, including JRA’s primary fundraiser, the Westover Lawn Party, the Annual Meeting, and the Runoff Rundown.  She also helps to organize board and staff functions, general JRA meetings, and numerous other special events.  Sherrie received a BA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Sherrie has lived in Mechanicsville, VA her entire life and enjoys the outdoors by playing softball and volleyball.  She also enjoys the wonderful places she gets to see and visit by working for JRA.  Sherrie is married to David Tribble, Jr., an employee of his family-owned business Bagby Electric, and has three children – Cole, Emmalee and Clay.

Heather Murdoch
Education Manager
(804) 788-8811, ext 205
hmurdoch@jrava.org

Heather was born and raised in the Northwest, where she gained an appreciation for the natural world at a very early age. Her affinity for the out-of-doors was definitly molded by her 15 years as a Girl Scout. She has worked across the U.S. at camps, zoos, nature & residential centers and bird of prey rehabilitaion centers. Her special interests include creatures that are feathery, scaly, furry, finny, slimy, and ... well, all of them. Her passion for wildlife and conservation of their habitats is contagious. But hopefully, not that rash. (kidding). She loves sharing her passion for the outdoors with those who are up for trying new things. Heather’s favorite spot on the James River is near Belle Isle in Richmond. She has a degree in Fisheries & Wildlife with a minor in Wildlife Education from Oregon State University.

Gabe Silver
Environmental Educator
(804) 788-8811, ext 214
gsilver@jrava.org

Prior to joining the staff at JRA Gabe was leading wilderness trips and activities at a school for troubled teenage boys. He earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Thought and Practice from the University of Virginia, while working as a field instructor for fly fishing programs and directing a volunteer program dedicated to affordable housing. He grew up past the headwaters of the Rivanna, up the Mechums River, where he fell in love early on with the rivers and woods and later developed what was for a time an unhealthy obsession with fly fishing for trout. He is very grateful to be working alongside other people who are so passionate about protecting and restoring the James River.

Michelle Kokolis
Watershed Restoration Project Manager
(804) 788-8811, ext 204
mkokolis@jrava.org

Michelle has spent all of her life in and around water.  She grew up in a small town just north of Pittsburgh, PA, along the shores of the Allegheny River.  If you ask her mother, she will tell you that it has always been nearly impossible to keep her out of the water!  Annual family vacations were spent camping and bass fishing in Canada, which is where her love of nature photography began.  In college and graduate school Michelle studied phytoplankton and she continues to be fascinated by the microscopic things in the water that we can’t see.  One of Michelle’s favorite pastimes continues to be nature photography.  Whether she is on the water or on the shore, you will always find her with her camera!    

Sarah Kim
Co-Sr. Director of Marketing and Development
(804) 788-8811, ext 208
skim@jrava.org

Sarah is a seasoned development professional with years of experience in the not- for- profit sector in Richmond.  While this is Sarah’s first opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the environment, she is no stranger to the great outdoors.  Along with her husband and two kids, she enjoys camping, biking, and hiking and is always on the prowl for weird and wonderful creatures and plants.  On her own, Sarah is a member of the Virginia Boat Club logging hours rowing on the James on Sunday mornings.  Sarah says that while rowing upriver is peaceful and serene – she really gets a charge out of rowing on the flat waters in downtown Richmond. 

Colleen Messick
Co-Sr. Director of Marketing and Development
(804) 788-8811, ext 207
cmessick@jrava.org

Colleen has been raising money for a variety of nonprofits for longer than she is willing to share.  She holds a BA from William and Mary and an MA from Columbia University.   She is honored to be working for the James River Association where her passion for water and gregarious nature thrive.  When she is not out quoting W. B. Auden to the community (you know, “thousands have lived without love; not one without water”), she is often exploring the great outdoors with her husband, two kids and chocolate lab.

Judith Warrington
Communications Coordinator
(804) 788-8811, ext 210
jwarrington@jrava.org

Judith grew up in a river town on the Eastern Shore and would never consider living anywhere that wasn't on a river. Today she lives within a few short blocks the James. Originally an archaeologist, her career path has taken her from magazine editor, to freelance writer, to fundraiser. That meandering path probably has something to do with her love of hiking, backpacking and wandering in general. At JRA she is responsible for grant writing, publications and membership. She holds a BS in Anthropology from The American University in Washington, DC, and would have completed an advanced degree at Eastern New Mexico University if there had been a river anywhere nearby.

Angie Williams
Events and Development Assistant
(804) 788-8811, ext 209
awilliams@jrava.org

Angie Williams started working for JRA in August 2007 as an intern providing data entry services for JRA’s membership database.  Angie is now responsible for maintaining the database and the website.  She also writes and distributes the monthly e-newsletter, the James RiverWatch.  Angie works closely with JRA’s Special Events Manager and the Development Team.  Angie received a BA in Equine Studies from Virginia Intermont and operated a riding school in Mechanicsville, VA for several years before changing gears and joining JRA’s mission to preserve and protect America’s Founding River.  She still enjoys riding and showing her Quarter Horses, and spending time outside with her husband, Stewart, and daughter, Elizabeth.  Angie is also an organizational leader for a Hanover County 4-H Club.

Amy Moore
Office Manager
(804) 788-8811, ext 203
amoore@jrava.org

Amy has loved the James River for as long as she can remember.  She has always lived within 10 miles of river, and hopes it stays that way. Amy, her husband and their young daughter love to watch the abundant wildlife near their house,  always keeping a keen eye out for turtles.