Directors & Officers
Marvin Kwiatowski
President
Marvin is a British Columbia bred and raised lover of all things mountains and began the goat fetish as a child when he cracked open “Big Game Animals of North America” by Jack O’Connor. Five decades later Marvin still dreams, thinks and pursues goats more than all other animals combined with a focus on sharing gnarly goat habitat and close encounter goat experiences with those who do not have these tenacious and majestic creatures in their backyards. As an avid hunter Marvin believes that we are entrusted to ensure the well being of healthy mountain goat populations in a world that is rapidly changing. While increased access into the backcountry and development may have its benefits, the long-term effects can displace goats from their prime habitat to a lesser quality habitat and needs to be highly considered. Through ongoing education and real life experiences in mountain goat sex identification, hunters can greatly assist in maintaining healthy populations for the next generation.
While Marvin spent most of his life in Northern BC, he currently resides in the southern part of the province with his wife and three children. By day (including some evenings) he works as a civil engineer and leads a team of 70 in the areas of land development, engineering and sustainability. His desire is to be a support and mentor to others both in the office and in the mountains.
Marvin is excited to be part of the RMGA Team that has a diverse skill set with a shared vision towards mountain goats. He has been a long-time member with the Wild Sheep Society of BC as well as the Wildlife Records Club of BC.
Justin Wise
Treasurer
Justin was introduced to mountain hunting years ago in the Hell’s Canyon portion of Northeast Oregon and has been addicted to the challenge and adventure that comes from each scouting trip, hunting trip or backpacking trip to this day. He first encountered reintroduced Rocky Mountain Goats while elk hunting and his fascination for the animal and terrain they call home began. “I love the outdoors and mountain hunting, and the opportunity to support the work of RMGA and its mission is truly humbling”.
Justin lives in southern Oregon with his son and his daughter. You’ll find him playing with his kids, plotting and planning the next adventure, working or on the golf course. He owns a payment processing company that specializes in conservation programs and organizations. Justin is a member of the 2% for Conservation effort, Summit Life Member of the Wild Sheep Foundation and Life Member of the Mule Deer Foundation.
Mike Keeley
Vice-President
Mike has an Environmental Science degree with a major in land reclamation that has him employed as an environmental consultant in the oil and gas industry.
Mountain Goats have always held a special place in his heart and epitomize toughness and mountain hunting. Mike is from Alberta and with the lack of tags in the province, he has seen that programs like goat ID help educate hunters in making judgment decisions and helping to educate about why we do not want to kill a nanny. Mike has a passionate thirst for conservation, research and habitat work for wildlife which has him starting to work towards gaining my conservation biology degree.
Jared Frasier
Secretary
Originally from Northern Wisconsin, I benefited greatly from a diverse outdoor heritage and conservation ethic passed to him by family and friends. Based out of Montana’s Gallatin Valley, I enjoy time outdoors with my family and our wire-haired pointing griffon, Bobbie Marshall (she’s named after the Wilderness Complex that was influential in making me settle down in MT). I volunteer with and is a member / life member of several wildlife conservation groups. I also volunteer as a Montana Hunter’s Education Instructor, sits on the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame Review Committee, on the Next Gen Advisory Board for the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, and as an advisor to the Board of Directors for the International Caribou Foundation.
Darryn EppMountain ungulate species capture the essence of endurance, adventure, and mystic.
When Darryn is not working at his regular job as an Inspector in the Oil Industry, his soul is drawn to wild places. He is particularly captivated by the alpine, in awe of the inhabitants of such harsh environments. Darryn’s initial connection to the Goat Alliance was to provide photographic images of goats, from his love for photography, which could be used to further the mission of this valued conservation organization. As RMGA life member #2, his roots have been growing steadily since near the time of its inception.
Darryn makes his home in central Alberta, Canada within a stone’s throw of many of our most prolific goat country.
Darryn is a member of the Conservation and Communication Committees and loves to be able to integrate his passions with the many wildlife professionals on our teams. He excited to be able to impact and share the drive to ensure this most unique species is given the best opportunity to continue to thrive in its many locations in North America.
A heart for impacting the conservation of mountain species specifically has Darryn prioritizing his efforts in many other conservation organizations as well, most notably the Wild Sheep Foundation and its many affiliates and chapters.
Greg Van Den BurgBoard Member
With both parents working as teachers Greg spent summers carrying camera equipment for his dad and
gaining an appreciation for wild things and wild places. That appreciation has continued to grow through
his own adventures and travels. Greg has always loved the high elevations and the unique wildlife that
lives there. Greg volunteered on his first survey in 2017 and discovered that the RMGA had a unique
way to involving the public. This involvement has led to him loving being a member and part of the
Board
Greg lives in Eastern South Dakota with his family who loves the outdoors just as much has he does. In
their spare time Greg and his family are living out their camper overlooking the bluffs of the Missouri
River or trying to keep with Greg as he checking in on the Eastern most Mountain Goat herd in the Black
Hills.
Board Member
Paul is a lifelong Alaskan and an avid bowhunter, backcountry skier and general mountain lover for his entire life. In the winter he guides backcountry skiing. He has worked on multiple personal conservation projects and education efforts through the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunter's and Anglers and the National Wildlife Federation and continue to be in contact regularly with local Alaska Department of Fish and Game Biologists. Paul has actively worked hard to educate himself on all issues affecting local sheep and goat populations.
His other job is a physician (MD) up at the hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska in the northwest arctic. Paul has been involved in multiple research projects and understands how to research and read scientific literature.
Paul has also been involved with the RMGA as a Regional Representative and tried to be as active as possible.