Chadwin Smith

Chad is President of Headwaters and also serves as the Science Policy Coordinator for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. He has experience in river management, science, and policy, particularly with large, complex resource management programs.  He has worked primarily as a consultant on large-scale endangered species recovery and ecosystem restoration programs throughout the United States, with the focus of his career on implementation and evaluation of aquatic-based adaptive management programs involving the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His technical expertise includes adaptive management, program governance, decision analysis, data analysis and synthesis, and use and management of independent science panels and peer review processes. Chad specializes in engaging multiple stakeholders in implementation of adaptive management at a large scale and evaluating governance structures in large restoration programs to improve the effectiveness of adaptive management.

Education:  Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences (Adaptive Management), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2020; M.P.A. in Environmental Policy/Natural Resources Management, Indiana University- Bloomington, 1996; B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife with Highest Distinction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1994