Staff

  • Program Manager, Research and Development

    Ken Nowak
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    Ken Nowak became Reclamation's Program Manager of Research and Development (R&D) in 2022. He provides strategic direction for R&D programs, advises on research policy, and represents Reclamation R&D activities during the interchange of scientific knowledge and expertise between research personnel and operational programs of Reclamation, other agencies, and the water management community at large.

  • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

    Vacant
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    This position manages S&T program goals, policies, and business practices by coordinating research selection and execution, innovating administration, supporting budget formulation, developing partnerships, and supporting technology transfer to move research into practice.

  • Water Treatment Research Coordinator

    Vacant
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    This position administers the Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR) Program and is also responsible coordinating the advanced water treatment strategy for the R&D Office. In addition, this position works on expanding Reclamation’s water treatment portfolio by launching Prize Competitions in the area of advanced water treatment in the areas of concentrate management, arsenic sensors, resource recovery, and other challenges related to advancing clean water technologies. .

  • Hydropower and Water Infrastructure Research Coordinator

    Erin Foraker
    303-445-3635
    eforaker@usbr.gov

    Erin Foraker became a part of the Research and Development Office in 2012. Erin directs the Research and Development Office's renewable energy research, which focuses on improving maintenance practices of hydropower systems, improving reliability and efficiency for hydropower generation, and researching opportunities for other renewable energy generation within Reclamation.

  • Water Availability Research Coordinator

    Christopher Frans
    303-445-3021
    cfrans@usbr.gov

    The Water Availability Research Coordinator’s responsibilities broadly relate to the nexus of climate science and water management. This includes coordination of internal and external research relevant to climate, hydrology, and water management/planning; training to build internal Reclamation climate capacity; and external collaboration on related topics.

  • Open Water Data Coordinator

    Allison Odell
    702-293-8331
    aodell@usbr.gov

    Allison Odell joined R&D in 2020 as Open Water Data Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating efforts that support Reclamation's fulfillment of the requirements of the OPEN Government Data Act of 2019 to make data available in open, machine-readable, interoperable formats. This includes managing IT systems for data publication and developing internal and external partnerships related to publishing and using open datasets.

  • GIS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Lisa Johnson
    303-445-2523
    lisajohnson@usbr.gov

    Lisa Johnson joined R&D in 2022 as the GIS Data Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating efforts that support Reclamation's GIS program, coordinating the Reclamation Geospatial Advisory Council, and fulfillment of the requirements of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018.

  • DATA RESOURCE MANAGER

    James Nagode
    303-445-2038
    jbnagode@usbr.gov

    James joined R&D in 2021, having previously worked in Reclamation’s Information Resource Office (IRO). He supports a range of data management activities that include representing Reclamation in Department of the Interior data initiative.

  • PROGRAM ANALYST

    Vacant
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    The R&D Program Analyst is responsible for project management, business analysis and reporting, portfolio analysis, external coordination, and communication duties to help administer multiple R&D programs. Programs include Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR), Science and Technology (S&T) Research, S&T Prize Competitions, and Technology Transfer.

  • Prize Competition Program Administrator

    Vacant
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    This position is responsible for administering a portfolio of prize competitions in water availability, infrastructure sustainability, and environmental compliance. This includes developing Federal and non-Federal partnerships to enhance prize competition activities and coordinating efforts to further develop competition solutions into beneficial uses in Reclamation and the water resources management community.

  • Administrative Assistant

    Vacant
    303-445-2197
    knowak@usbr.gov

    This work consists of supporting R&D programs in managing, reporting, and tracking an array of agency systems, as well as supporting the development of the office's Knowledge Stream publication and research projects.

Last Updated: 7/28/23