***For Immediate Release***
March,  2005 

Contact:                                    
Lorrie Kalmbach Ehlers, Director of Operations and Communications               
(206) 780 7848 x 3# (office)
(360) 981 7080 (cell)
lorrieke@salish.org
www.salish.org

Salish Sea Expeditions hires seasoned leader in outdoor education field
as new Executive Director

Bainbridge Island, WA – Stephen W. Streufert will assume the Executive Director position at Salish Sea Expeditions on April 1, 2005, replacing outgoing Executive Director Ellie Linen Low.

Streufert has a long career history in program and instructional leadership, having served in senior programmatic and administrative leadership roles at the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and as a Course Leader and Instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyoming. Streufert was most recently Vice President of Sales for Alpine Towers International, and heads that company’s West Coast office in Eugene, Oregon. He recently served as President of the Board of Directors of Committed Partners for Youth, a non-profit mentoring agency in Eugene, OR.

Streufert has an M.S. in Education Leadership with an emphasis in experience-based learning and ethics from Minnesota State University and a B.A. in Biology from Luther College in Iowa.

“The board and staff are thrilled that Stephen is joining our team,” said Eric Laschever, Salish Board President. “Stephen brings highly relevant non-profit, experiential education and fundraising experience – he will be an outstanding leader for Salish’s continued success.”

Ellie Linen Low, Salish’s Executive Director for six years, reports: “this is a great time for a leadership transition. We have an active, committed board of directors, an excellent staff, wonderful support in our community, and a solid plan for growth and development.”

Added Streufert, “I am excited about returning to the Puget Sound area and joining the Salish team. I have always been passionate about experiential education and look forward to meeting with community members to involve them in the great work Salish is doing.”

As Executive Director, Stephen will lead our efforts to expand our summer and fall programs as well as solidify our presence in the Puget Sound community and grow and diversify our funding base. The Board and staff look forward to partnering with him to realize our five-year strategic plan and build a vision for future success.

About Salish Sea Expeditions:
Salish Sea Expeditions was founded in 1994 to inspire a passion for exploring, understanding, and respecting the marine environment through hands-on scientific inquiry on Puget Sound. Salish offers multi-day programs aboard a 61’ sailing vessel on Puget Sound. Our programs target 5th-12th grade student groups and teach scientific research, navigation and sailing using a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning. Headquartered on Bainbridge Island, Salish’s program participants are predominantly from western Washington, but have included school groups from Alaska and Colorado. ###