Who We Are: Regional Staff
Jim Stratton, Regional Director
Jim Stratton is the Regional Director for the Northwest and Alaska Regional Offices of NPCA. Prior to joining NPCA, Jim spent eight years as the director of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and 11 years as the Program & Finance Director for Alaska Conservation Foundation. He started his Alaska conservation career in 1981 as the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council. Prior to moving to Alaska, Jim was active with the Oregon Wilderness Coalition (now Oregon Wild) and helped secure protection through his local organizing for the Coast Creeks Wilderness on the Oregon coast. Jim is a founding board member of Training Resources for the Environmental Community (TREC), a regional organizational effectiveness group working in nine western states and western Canada. When not working or volunteering for conservation efforts, he produces and hosts the Arctic Cactus Hour, a weekly public radio program (music, not talk) on Anchorage’s KNBA. He also likes to fly fish, is into birding, and with his wife Colleen Burgh, travel to wild and exotic places, especially those that provide a stamp for his National Park Passport. Jim holds a degree in Recreation and Parks Management from the University of Oregon and an MBA from Alaska Pacific University.
Email: jstratton@npca.org
Sean Smith, MS, Policy Director
Growing up Sean enjoyed many family trips to national parks. From the Everglades to Denali, Sean's parents believed it important for their two boys to learn about their nation's history, culture, and environment. There was no better classroom for this education than the national parks. After college (Sean holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Washington and an M.S. in Natural Resource Management from Central Washington University) Sean worked for Bluewater Network as the Public Lands Director for nearly eight years, focusing primarily on the impact of motorized recreation upon public lands and waterways. Sean joined NPCA in October 2005. In March of 2008, Sean won a share of the Department of Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. The Cooperative Conservation Award is Interior's highest award presented to private citizens and organizational partners who support the agency’s mission and demonstrate significant contributions to its programs.
Sean has also worked as a seasonal ranger for both the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). His time with NPS and USFS allowed him to live in some of America's most spectacular places - Glacier National Park, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Yellowstone National Park.
Sean is also a private pilot and attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. In his spare time, Sean runs www.WildArtStudio.com, an online art studio featuring his work. He currently lives in Western Washington with his wife and two children.
Email: ssmith@npca.org
David G. Graves, Northwest Field Representative
David Gilman Graves grew up in Kentucky where his family took frequent vacations to visit National Parks, mainly Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Following graduation from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, with a degree in history, David took a 10,000-mile road trip across the United States. Along the way, he visited 27 national parks and fell in love with the Northwest. David then attended law school at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. He graduated with a JD and a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and was awarded the Environmental Leadership Award for his work on environmental issues while in law school.
David has previously worked with the Hells Canyon Preservation Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Advocates for the West, Friends of the River, California Hydropower Reform Coalition, and most recently with the Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign as Conservation and Communications Coordinator. While not working to save the parks, he can be found hiking or backpacking with his wife Katie Kolarich.
Email: dgraves@npca.org
David Patton, Regional Director of Development
Dave Patton joined the NPCA staff in February 2008 as the Regional Director of Development for the Northwest. Growing up on the east coast, Dave experienced the rich cultural and natural heritage that our national park units provide. Whether on a school field trip to Valley Forge or vacations to Acadia National Park, Dave inherited an appreciation for what these great parks symbolize as the best of America's treasures. Living in the Northwest (Seattle) has only increased that appreciation. Seattle is in a perfect location with several great parks within a few hour’s drive and dozens that can be reached for a long weekend. Dave is excited to connect NPCA’s important conservation work to a greater Northwest community.
Dave brings a strong background in non-profit fundraising and management. Prior to NPCA, Dave worked with Seattle-based Cascade Land Conservancy as Director of Individual Giving and held several positions at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., raising critical funds to support their programs. Dave also worked as Associate Sales and Marketing Director with Maine WoodWorks, a furniture-manufacturing unit of Creative Work Systems, a social service agency located in southern Maine. Dave is humbled to be working for NPCA and supporting a great mission.
Email: dpatton@npca.org
Bethany Van Etten, Administrative Coordinator
Bethany Van Etten grew up in Western Washington hiking and backpacking with her family. As her parents were both teachers, they spent the summers visiting national parks around the country. She developed a great love and appreciation of the National Parks system and is excited to be working to ensure that the spectacular parks she’s enjoyed will be enjoyed for generations to come. Bethany recently graduated from the University of Washington, earning degrees in political science, environmental studies and public administration. She worked for several other local non-profits before joining the NPCA staff in October 2008. In her spare time Bethany enjoys hiking, traveling and playing ultimate frisbee with her husband.
Email: bvanetten@npca.org
