Meet the Staff

Kevin first became interested in the Missouri River in 2015 after helping organize a cleanup with Missouri River Relief and two student organizations, Sustain Mizzou and the Student Environment Coalition of UMKC. Since then, he has been addicted to the Missouri River and all its beauty. After graduating from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in forestry, he became MRR's full-time event coordinator, organizing cleanup events throughout the Lower Missouri River Region, and eventually becoming the Operations Director in 2023.

With a background that spans fundraising and community engagement, Petie brings more than ten years of experience in the development space. Petie is passionate about working to better the community and is energized by the mission of Missouri River Relief. Known for her unique ability to foster genuine and authentic connections, Petie works tirelessly to build strong, lasting connections to sustain and grow MRR's impact.

Kristen Schulte has a Master’s of Science in Natural Science Education and Environmental and Natural Resources and has been working in environmental education since 2006. Her passion for environmental education was first ignited during a trail crew in the North Cascades, WA.  Ever since this experience, she has felt a drive to connect people to the environment, while promoting stewardship.  In her role at MRR, she works to advance our mission of connecting people to the Missouri River with an emphasis on education.

Steve Schnarr lives in Columbia, MO. His love for the river developed from years of exploring its waters by canoe. He was drawn to Missouri River Relief as a volunteer at local clean-ups, later serving as an event coordinator, MegaScout coordinator, MRR board member, Program Manager and Executive Director. As Race Director he plans and executes the longest non-stop paddling race in the world.

Alyssa is a graduate from Central Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. She loves scuba diving, exercising, and enjoying various recreational activities. Beyond her hobbies, she has a passion for the environment and helping others. As someone who has lived in many places while growing up in a multicultural household, she seeks new experiences while learning more about our world and its people!

Lara grew up playing in Terrapin Creek, which ran behind her childhood home outside of Columbia, about a mile from the Missouri River. She's since lived, studied, and taught in Iowa, Switzerland, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. After living and teaching abroad, she returned to her home state to work for Columbia Public Schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. She took her students outside any chance she could as a way to help them connect to their new home.  She loves working at MRR and getting to foster curiosity and reverence for the Missouri River.

Dave's love of spending time outdoors led him to the fisheries and wildlife program at Mizzou. After graduating he embarked on a 15-year adventure as a biologist on the Missouri River. During that time, he spent countless hours tracking the endangered Pallid Sturgeon on the Missouri River from Yankton, SD to St. Louis, MO and even on the Yellowstone River in Montana. When not tracking in the field he was busy maintaining the fleet of research vessels, designing and building scientific equipment and conducting boat operator and water safety training.

Becca graduated from Mizzou in 2009 with an English degree and a love for Columbia’s quirkiness. She spent a childhood floating her native Ozark rivers and now explores the Big Muddy with her own two kids, her partner Josh, and their little dog Penny. Becca loves a good story and finds that the river is full of them (and tires!). She is dedicated to plucking out the best tales (and tires!) to help build MRR’s legacy.

Harry grew up boating on Maryland’s rivers and bay and came to Columbia in 2008 to study at the Missouri School of Journalism. With a degree in agricultural journalism and over 15 years of communications experience, he has built both a career and a deep personal connection to Missouri’s rivers. He’s thrilled to join Missouri River Relief in its mission of connecting people with the river.

Katy Miller participated in her first river clean up over 10 years ago and is committed to getting junk out of the river! When she’s not busy homeschooling, homesteading, and catching babies as a local homebirth midwife, she helps keep the River Relief office running smoothly managing paperwork and organizing financial information.

For the past two years, Jo worked as the Education, Volunteer, and Outreach Intern at Mueller State Park with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and before that served as a Unit Director at a Girl Scout camp in San Diego. They hold a B.S. in Parks and Recreation from the University of Utah. 

Jo grew up in the Rocky Mountains and will take any excuse to be outside — birding, rock climbing, snowboarding, camping. One of their favorite ways to do that last one is backpacking with a set of watercolors and a good book. Summers in Minnesota taught them to fly fish and canoe, and gave them an early love of rivers. They're ready for a new landscape and a season on the Missouri River.