Board

Briana began working in the outdoor industry as a teenager, an experience that eventually led her to the Nolichucky River—where her passion for environmental protection truly took root. That connection inspired her to pursue a degree in Environmental Health and a career as an Environmental Scientist.

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The Nolichucky has played a meaningful role in Briana’s life, and now, as a mother, she is even more invested in protecting it. Through her role with the Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, she is proud to support efforts that preserve the river for future generations to enjoy.

Chris found the Nolichucky River by accident in 1996. He and some of his friends were sent to the Noli to train that spring. What they discovered in Northeast Tennessee changed their lives forever and became the place that Chris and his family call home.

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The Nolichucky River in the ’90s was often referred to as “the center of the universe,” and today it still lives up to that name. Chris has worked on the river over the years as a whitewater and fishing guide, and as a river manager for one of the companies. He has also worked in Search and Rescue and has been a paramedic for the last 20 years.

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He met his wife, Michelle, out at the river. His son, Hayes, recently turned 18 and is working as a commercial guide, carrying on the family tradition.

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In addition to being a board member for the Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, Chris is currently the Northeast Tennessee Representative and State Policy Coordinator for the Tennessee Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He is also a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited and a member of American Whitewater.

Christen is deeply committed to the preservation of our mountains, rivers, and wild spaces—places that have always felt like home. With four years of experience serving on The Friends of Rocky Fork State Park board, ten years working in outdoor recreation on the Nolichucky, and nine years as a practicing therapist, Christen brings a unique blend of leadership, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of connection. Her work is grounded in communication, relationship-building, and a reverence for nature. Whether she’s supporting conservation efforts or fostering meaningful conversations, she’s guided by a core value of protecting what’s sacred—both in people and in the planet.

My journey in outdoor recreation began in 2009, when I trained as a river guide on the Nolichucky River. What started as a summer job quickly grew into a lifelong passion-not just for guiding, but for the places where these rivers flow. The Nolichucky became more than a river to me; it became a home, a teacher, and a foundation of my deep commitment for conservation.

Over thirteen seasons, I guided rivers across the Southeast, California, and West Virginia, but I always found myself drawn back to the Nolichucky. The connection I built with this watershed inspired me to take my work beyond recreation and into stewardship. That path eventually led me to my current role as a Park Ranger with Tennessee State Parks.

Today, I still guide the occasional trip and relish time on the water with my friends. More than ever, I find joy in sharing adventure with my wife and son, and in passing along an appreciation for wild places. Through my work with the Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, I hope to protect and preserve this incredible river so that future generations can know it, love it, and be shaped by it just as I have.

Bekah first fell in love with rivers as a camp kid, but her passion truly took off in college while working as a raft guide on the Nolichucky. It was there that she found her sense of place, her people, and a profound appreciation for the river—not just as a source of adventure, but as a source of life.

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Her professional background in journalism and communication led her to a communications role with the River Management Society, where she was introduced to the broader world of river management and stewardship. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Bekah realized that the Nolichucky—a Wild and Scenic Study River—had no single organization advocating for its protection. Given all that the river provides to surrounding communities—drinking water, recreation, food, and irrigation—she felt it deserved that voice.

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Bekah hopes the Nolichucky Watershed Alliance will unite residents, local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, agencies, boaters, anglers, and youth in a shared commitment to conserving the Nolichucky.

In addition to serving on the board of the Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, Bekah is a member of the River Management Society, A-DASH Collaborative, American Whitewater, and the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals.

Lela is a Western North Carolina born river guide who calls the Nolichucky home. Lela primarily works as a whitewater rafting guide on the Nolichucky, but she also works in West Virginia and Idaho on the Iconic Gauley and Salmon Rivers. Cutting her teeth as a Teenaged guide on the Nantahala River, she then went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from UNC at Asheville in double majoring in Environmental Science and Natural Resources Economics. She found a passion for whitewater Stand Up Paddleboarding while working on the Nolichucky, and was invited to join Team Hala SUP.

Lela was among the earliest paddlers to survey the Nolichucky Gorge after Hurricane Helene, and helped bring nationwide attention to the environmental destruction caused by both the flood and the railroad rebuilding.

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“A river is a sacred place, it cannot be tamed or underestimated. We have a duty to protect the watersheds and share the joy and passion that the river provides. Plus, there is simply nothing quite so nice as simply messing about in boats!”