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Kelly first began working for VWS in 1991 while completing his B.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from West Virginia University. He has focused on wildlife conservation his entire career working with many raptor and vulture species including Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and California Condors. Kelly was the lead biologist for VWS during the initial phase of the condor program in Big Sur and played a key role in the establishment of the Pinnacles National Monument release site. Kelly is now a member of the California Condor Recovery Team. In 1992, he participated in the development of the Big Sur Ornithology Lab and the Education programs of Ventana Wilderness Society. In an interest to diversify his background, he completed a Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in 2001. He has many years experience in fiscal management, program management, fundraising and human resources.Mailing Address:
VWS Administrative Office
19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1
Salinas, California 93908
Phone: (831) 455-9514
In July 2005 Monterey County Weekly recognized Kelly Sorenson as one of 12 local heroes who make Monterey County a better place. Read the article.
Alena Porte - Education Coordinator
Alena first began working with VWS in May 2004 as the Assistant Education Coordinator and instructor for Ventana's Natural Science Discovery Camp. She came to the program with seven years experience in outdoor science education. Alena received a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Outdoor Education, focusing on natural interpretation, from State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) in 1997. Her teaching experiences include working with children with special needs, underserved populations, and the general public in formal and informal settings. She has several years experience in program development and management. Alena has an extensive background in natural sciences including aquatic and terrestrial systems and is first aid and CPR trained as well as holds a class B drivers license. Alena is the main point of contact for questions.
Mailing Address:
VWS Administrative Office
19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1
Salinas, California 93908
Phone: (831) 455-9514
Joe Burnett - Senior Wildlife Biologist
Joe first began working with VWS in May 1993 as a Field Assistant for Ventana's Bald Eagle Restoration Program in Big Sur, CA. In 1996, Joe became Field Supervisor for Ventana's Condor Restoration Program and coordinated the first seven releases of condors in central California, six in Big Sur and one at Pinnacles National Monument. Joe left Ventana in 2003 to start up Oregon Zoo's Captive Breeding Program for condors. His experiences with captive condors vastly broadened his knowledge base of the species. In 2005, Joe returned to Ventana to coordinate the release effort once again. Joe received a bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries, focusing on birds, from West Virginia University in 1994. He began his field studies of birds as an undergraduate in 1992 and now has over 14 years experience working with a variety of bird species.
Mailing Address:
VWS Administrative Office
19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1
Salinas, California 93908
Phone: (831) 455-9514
Sayre Flannagan - Wildlife Biologist
Sayre began working with wildlife while earning her bachelor's degree at Ohio State University. While working on her degree in Wildlife Management, she began caring for Big Brown bats as a lab assistant and continued to work with bats for three years. She also spent time a the Coumbus Zoo, were she cared for a variety of North American wildlife, but her true passion is working in the field. Sayre has experience in the field with Spotted Owls, Goshawks, and California Condors. She is currently working for Ventana Wildlife Society's Species Recovery department, focusing on California Condor management.
Mailing Address:
VWS Research and Education Center
HC 67 Box 99
Monterey, California 93940
Phone: (831) 455-9514
Mike Tyner - Wildlife Biologist
Currently Mike is serving as Field Supervisor for our California Condor Recovery Program. Mike first began working together with Ventana Wildlife Society biologists in 2002 studying songbirds along the Carmel River. From there Mike went on to volunteer with our California Condor Recovery Program and also completed an internship with the bird banding lab. Since then he has worked as a biologist with our Conservation Ecology and Species Recovery Programs working on numerous projects in Central California. Aside from working with VWS Mike has worked with the Bureau of Land Management studying rare and endangered plants in the Algodones Dunes of Southeast California, worked as a Condor Nest Technician for the Santa Barbara Zoo, and interned and volunteered with the Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Project where he first got his start with condors. Mike is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Systematic Biology. He is a field biologist by trade and an avid birder and naturalist.
Mailing Address:
VWS Administrative Office
19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1
Salinas, California 93908
Phone: (831) 455-9514
Cathy Keeran - Executive Assistant
Cathy began working with Ventana in January 2004. Cathy attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on a soccer scholarship with an interest in marketing. She has a rich background in administration and personnel development and has over 18 years experience in Retail/Management. Cathy volunteered with the Phoenix Symphony from 1990 to 1992 and was a docent at Point Lobos State Reserve from 1997 - 2003. She is the proud mother of a beautiful young son named Dylan.
Mailing Address:
VWS Administrative Office
19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1
Salinas, California 93908
Phone: (831) 455-9514
