Board of Directors and Staff

BCRCD is governed by a five member Board of Directors, one from each supervisorial district, made up of local land owners, ranchers and farmers. Directors are appointed by the Butte County Board of Supervisors on their strengths as active partners in the conservation community.

Associate Directors are appointed by the BCRCD Board of Directors. The Associate Directors do not vote on district business, but serve in an advisory capacity to the board with their knowledge and expertise in special areas of interest.

Directors and Associate Directors are volunteer positions.

Staff consists of a District Manager at this time.

Butte County Supervisorial District Map and contact information

Mary Pesenti-Thompson - Director - District 1

Board President

Mary was born and raised in Paso Robles, CA in Northern San Luis Obispo County. Mary and her husband Mel have been residents of Butte County since 1998. They are owners of Sierra Farms in South- Eastern Butte County where they raise sheep and have a lamb marketing business. They work closely with USDA NRCS in implementing conservation practices on their land, as well as being involved with the Lower Feather River/ Honcut Creek Watershed Group in Lower Butte County. For several years Mary worked with BCRCD in an outreach and education role before being appointed to serve on the Board of Directors. Mary is also the BCRCD representative to the Central Sacramento Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Wes Gilbert - Director - District 2

Wes has very deep roots in the land and a lifelong commitment to conservation issues in California. He grew up on a family owned wheat and row crop farm in Butte County near the Dayton/Four-Corners area. He is a graduate of California State University Chico in Civil Engineering. From 1986-1991 he was the Glenn County Director of Public Works. From 1991-2006 he owned and managed a private engineering and surveying firm in Chico, which he sold to Lumos and Associates, where he now works as the Engineering/Survey Manager.

Colleen Hatfield - Director - District 3

Colleen is a landscape ecologist and professor in the CSUC Biology Department. Her primary research focus is relationships between watershed conditions and ecological responses. Colleen has worked extensively in collaboration with private, non-profit and government entities. She grew up on the Colorado farm that her grandfather homesteaded and she continues to have a strong tie to the land. Through her background experiences, Colleen is aware of the challenges and hurdles facing today’s land managers whether they are farmers or natural resource managers. Natural resources and land conservation are central to her core values. Colleen also serves on the board for the Northern California Regional Land Trust.

Terrell Storm - Charter Director - District 4

Terrell was born and raised in southern Butte County, where he now raises rice, walnuts and beef cattle. He is a charter director on the BCRCD board having been appointed at its inception in 2002. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agriculture from CSU, Chico and is a graduate of Class XVIII of the California Ag Leadership Program. Terrell is particularly interested in the protection of private property and water rights.

Dave Lee - Director - District 5

Dave has been a resident and business owner in Paradise for over 40 years.  He is well aware of the environmental and natural resource challenges faced by Butte County and its residents.   Dave is an experienced outdoorsman having camped, hunted and fished throughout Butte County.  It is important to Dave that the natural resources of the county be protected for the generations to come, while providing residents with opportunities to enjoy our resources.  

Rod Carter - Associate Director

Rod Carter and wife, Andrea, reside in Chico , California where Rod is employed by NCFC business Consulting, a division of Northern California Farm Credit. Rod was hired in January 1999 to form the division, which provides a broad array of business consulting services to farmers, rancher and agri-business owners. A native of eastern Colorado , Rod earned two degrees at Colorado State University , a Bachelors degree in agriculture education and a Master degree in agricultural business. He draws on more than 30 years experience in adult education, farm and ranch management, organizational management and operating his own businesses. That experience includes positions in several agricultural companies including two owned and operated by Rod. He has worked in several states in the US as well as abroad. Rod now focuses on agricultural business consulting assignments in northern and central California where he has helps customers meet their goals and increase profitability.

Robert Mackenzie - Associate Director

Robert W. Mackenzie practices law in Chico, in the areas of land use, real property and environmental law. Rob was a Chief Deputy County Counsel in the Butte County Counsel's Office for ten years and advised the Butte County Water Commission and the Butte County Land Conservation Act Committee  Rob and his wife live near the farming community of Dayton.

William Kellogg - Associate Director

Bill is a Native Californian. Graduate of Pierce Jr. College with AA in General Agriculture and Graduate of Chico State College with BS in Animal Husbandry
Married to Marcia A. Kellogg with Daughter Melissa, Sons William, Matthew, & Mark and  Seven grandchildren.
Work history includes: Soil Conservation Service in Somas, California, sheep ranch work, rangeland supervisor, grain broker, seed production field man, seed salesman, opened Kellogg’s Seed Service in 1980. Changed name to Kellogg’s Ag Service in 2010.
Community Service:
Paradise Cemetery District, Paradise Irrigation District, Butte County Resource Conservation District, Toastmasters, Cub and Boy Scouts as Committee Chairman and Scoutmaster, Craig Memorial Congregational Church as Moderator, Chairman of board of trustees and chairman of Christian ed. board, Masonic Lodge board of Trustees and Man of the year Paradise Elks Lodge 2011
Bill's goals include being of service to others and helping his community and customers to reach their goals. 

Kelly Peterson - District Manager

As District Manager for the Butte County Resource Conservation District, Kelly Peterson brings a diverse range of skills and experience to the position as well as enthusiasm in working collaboratively with Butte County residents, organizations and agencies to conserve the natural resources of the county. Native to California’s Central Valley, her professional career has stemmed from a solid educational foundation in natural resources management and a deep respect for the residents and resources of the state. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation from CSU Humboldt and is a Masters candidate in the Environmental Science Program at CSU Chico.

Her previous work experiences have included natural resource management, monitoring and planning positions with local and state agencies, as well as with university, private, non-profit and tribal organizations. She has worked extensively with local community groups and has direct experience with agriculture, wildlife, water, vegetation and educational planning projects. Peterson brings a commitment to working with willing landowners and organizations interested in the protection and enhancement of Butte County’s diverse natural resources.