Staff & Board

Brian Wheeler, Executive Director

Brian comes to us from the Community Support Center (CSC) in Dillon, MT, where he held the roles of Executive Assistant and Grant Writer. He holds a BS in Anthropology. Brian and his wife, Ande, live in Dillon with their four dogs. He has worked as a fishing & whitewater guide for nearly 20 years and organized river cleanups as a volunteer. Brian has a deep appreciation for freestone rivers and the mission of the Foundation. He recognizes that the Big Hole River is the economic driver for ranching and recreation and that water quality is a fundamental concern. If he’s not rowing the river, he’ll be following his bird dogs across the prairie.

Sarah Ashworth, Chair

A native Virginian, retired business owner and country girl, Sarah relocated to Wise River in July 2016. The move was inspired by her numerous fly-fishing trips to the area over the last several years. As she likes to say..."the peace and pace of the Big Hole Valley are divine. Coming from the East, I cannot emphasize enough the preciousness I feel for Nature's treasures here and I am committed to contribute in some small way to their healthy sustenance and protection."

Wade Fellin, Past Chair

Wade is a fifth generation Montanan deeply rooted in the Big Hole Valley where he and his father own and operate Big Hole Lodge. Wade holds a BS in Business Administration from Bucknell University and a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law. In addition to guiding on the Big Hole, Wade is program director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, a water quality advocacy NGO based in SW Montana.

JM Peck, Treasurer/Secretary

JM was born and raised along the Big Hole River on his family’s ranch near Melrose. He received a bachelor's degree in engineering from Montana State University and worked in both the energy and hi-tech industries. When presented with an opportunity to move home and manage his family’s ranch, he took it. Today he manages the cow calf operations with his family, wife (Amanda) and son (Jude). JM works to continue the legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship built by his father and grandfather.

Michael Cooperman

Michael holds a doctorate degree in fisheries science from Oregon State University and a MS degree in aquatic sciences from the University of Montana. He is affiliated faculty with U. Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station and the founder of PlusFish, an endeavor dedicated to research and engagement to protect aquatic biodiversity and human food security in the least developed nations of the tropics. He primarily resides in Vermont, but owns a cabin near Twin Bridges, MT.