T. Will Richardson, Ph.D., Acting Chair
(See Staff Page)
Kristine Mitchell, Vice Chair
As a 3rd generation Tahoe resident, Kristine is passionate about her community and sharing all things Lake Tahoe with others. Most recently, she served as VP Trail Use for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and a volunteer guide on the 165-mile trail. She earned her degree in Mass Communications: Business and Marketing from the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, she served as a youth program leader in local schools, and with Marin Community Food Bank and United way of the Bay Area. Currently, Kristine specializes in Lake Tahoe-Sierra real estate, as a Nevada and California Realtor.
She enthusiastically supports the work of TINS to help connect our children and communities to nature, through field research and hands-on science education, so we can better understand the importance of preserving Lake Tahoe wildlife and natural resources for generations to come.
Markham Gross, Treasurer
Markham is excited to be part of TINS because of the research, education, and outreach efforts which help advance knowledge and conservation of the Tahoe region.Markham originally arrived in Tahoe by luck in the spring of 2000 from Central Florida when an action sports equipment business he had founded was acquired by a company then located in Truckee, CA. After responsibilities with the merger were complete, Markham decided to call Tahoe his home. He has lived along the North Shore areas of Tahoe between 2000–2006, and was grateful to return in 2013 as a full time resident, making Incline Village his home. Markham is a Futures Trader, and is Founder and Principle of an emerging Commodity Trading Advisory firm. Markham is passionate about the Tahoe region, and all it has to offer. He enjoys skiing, hiking, cycling, running, and swimming around the area
Trevor Cornwell, Secretary
Trevor Cornwell is the founder of Guesthouse, opening in May 2025 in Truckee. A seasoned entrepreneur, Cornwell’s leadership in creating Guesthouse – designed to define a new category of hospitality for personalized group stays – reflects his innovative nature and deep understanding of business and hospitality. Cornwell also serves as President of Government Affairs for Merit, an Andreesen Horowitz portfolio company. Cornwell has maintained a residence in Truckee for many years. He has served on the Board of Maryland Public Television and is the founder of Forum280 a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. He is deeply committed to the mission of TINS and wants to further the Lake Tahoe region as an area committed to its rich heritage of scientific exploration and environmental education.
Joy Barney
Joy is inspired by everything that has to do with nature, and loves to share that passion with others, especially young people. She majored in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from University of California at Davis and worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 31 years in forestry, nature interpretation and finally in her dream job as a Conservation Education Program Specialist in Lake Tahoe. Her work with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit included managing educational programs for pre-K through high school youth, and supervising the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and the Tallac Historic Site. She built the Generation Green program of Lake Tahoe, connecting high school youth with the outdoors and environmental careers through a summer employment program.
Health reasons caused Joy and her family to move to a lower elevation and leave her beloved Tahoe. Now retired and living in the Sacramento area, she continues to be passionate about connecting people to the outdoors and is excited stay connected with Tahoe by supporting TINS with all of their wonderful programs!
Tim Kosier
Tim grew up in South Dakota with an emphasis on outdoor activities, which fostered his active commitment to the environment and conservation as an adult. Marrying into a Bay Area family that spent a lifetime enjoying the Tahoe region gave him annual opportunities to absorb the beauty of the Lake Tahoe basin. Those experiences inspired him and his wife Betsy to move permanently from the Midwest to Carson City in 2009, one of his best decisions ever.
During his 35+ career, Tim developed and directed services for people with developmental disabilities. He now puts his Master of Education degree to use volunteering, with a particular emphasis on children's programs. A love of science and Tahoe lead him to being a docent and advisory board member at UC Davis' Tahoe Environmental Research Center. In addition to making time for hiking, snowshoeing and kayaking, he nurtures kids' curiosity in science as a volunteer for TINS summer "Bug Camps," Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships and the US Forest Service. During the school year, Tim is a 1st grade classroom volunteer and on weekends he hangs out with his 11-year-old "Little Brother" through the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.
Martin Swinehart
Martin spent his past life working in the world of for-profit marketing, PR and event management. Experience includes a start-up airline in Austria, the American Chamber of Commerce, importing Australian aboriginal art, and 10 + years working in event marketing and public relations.
It is unclear exactly when he got hooked on the outdoors – it may have happened standing knee deep in the Truckee River, staring at a dry-fly and waiting for a trout to rise. Or it may have been while swimming in Marlette Lake after getting there on a mountain bike. His passion for nature pours over into helping nature-based non profits like TINS utilize and understand new and relevant approaches to outreach, marketing, and PR.
Brian Wright
Brian and his wife Lydia moved to Truckee in 2013. A Southern California native, Brian has enjoyed a 28-year career in water utility construction, operations and management, with a focus on providing community service, leadership and a commitment to core values. This journey has led to his current role with the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) as General Manager. His professional career path offers a rare if not unique perspective for executive leadership, in that he has worked hands-on in nearly every level of public utility operations. One of the most rewarding aspects of Brian’s work in utilities has been the joy of public service, and his interest in water and energy resources.
Through his work in water and energy resources, Brian has developed a strong appreciation for education and the natural resources around us. The value brought to our communities by the exciting education, research and outreach programs developed by the team at TINS inspired Brian to join the Board. A lifelong outdoorsman and an appreciation for the natural resources around us, Brian looks forward to expanding the opportunities TINS can offer for the future.
