Staff & Board

Meet our team!

Staff

Eliot Berz

Executive Director

Eliot, a Chattanooga native, received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Sewanee: The University of the South and a master’s degree at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in environmental science. Before returning to Chattanooga, Eliot worked with the Piedmont Environmental Council in Northern Virginia as a research fellow. He has worked in various roles in the Chattanooga conservation and outdoor recreation fields with Thrive 2055, Outdoor Chattanooga, and TRGT. Eliot has conducted public access development projects, created conservation land management plans, and led avian research programs in his 7 years with TRGT. When not working, you will likely find Eliot in the river kayaking or fishing.

Alishea Hixson

Senior Director of Development and Internal Operations

alisheah@trgt.org

Alishea Hixson joined TRGT in 2018. Originally from Decatur, TN, she grew up on a farm and understands the value of protecting our local open spaces. Alishea moved to Chattanooga to attend UTC and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology.

Alishea's professional work includes serving as the Director of Special Events at First Things First for 8 years, and the Associate Director of Annual Giving for the UC Foundation for 2 years. She is also a 2014 graduate of Chattanooga’s Chamber of Commerce Protégé Leadership Program and a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, Class of 2023.

She and her husband, David, love to travel. In recent years they have been to Alaska, Colorado, New York, South Dakota, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. Alishea and David welcomed their daughter, Abigail, in February 2019.

Allison Oliver

Finance and Business Director

info@trgt.org

Allison grew up in southeast Tennessee and is proud to call it her home. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and received her Master of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She has over 15 years of experience working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. When she is not at work, you can find her stalking birds, attempting a new yoga pose, trying to stay upright on the water, volunteering in equine therapy, or going on trail adventures with her son, Will and their dog Teddy Bear.

Austin Young

Research and Stewardship Coordinator

austiny@trgt.org

Austin received his B.S. in Biology with an ecology and conservation biology at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. He also received his Master’s of Science degree in Biology at Idaho State with a thesis emphasis on the stopover ecology of migrating passerines in southeastern Idaho. He is an avid birder and outdoorsman, with his favorite birds being Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) and just about all the passerines, a group that includes songbirds. His intense passion for birds and other wildlife since toddlerhood has appropriately unified his hobbies with his career interests. He never leaves the office or his house without binoculars! On any given day you can find him doing something with birds or other wildlife. On occasion he can be found going trail running, on long walks in the neighborhood, or enjoying live jazz music with his dear wife Grace.

Robert Windham

Land Management and Access Coordinator

info@trgt.org

Robert is originally from Wartrace, TN. After completing his bachelor’s degree in the biology department at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Robert continued his journey through the field of conservation. Through his studies and hobbies, Robert has developed a particular interest in wildlife sciences. He has worked as a biology technician for an environmental consulting firm, Land Management Logistics, and has volunteered on many initiatives such as invasive plant removal at Rock Island State Park. Currently, Robert is obtaining his master's degree in biology at Austin Peay State University, focusing on wildlife conservation and land management. His hobbies are closely aligned with his professional interest, and you will likely find Robert hiking, camping, or exploring wild lands throughout our region on the weekends.

2025 Summer Interns

Sydney Fuhrig

Sydney is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. She received her bachelor’s in environmental science and history from William & Mary before returning to Tennessee. Sydney is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science Administration and Management at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her research interests focus on using GIS software to solve environmental issues. Outside of work, Sydney enjoys hiking, kayaking, baking, and photographing wildflowers.

Kirsten Young

Kirsten was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Texas. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Prior to her internship, she participated in a GiveVolunteer trip focused on hands-on conservation work, including invasive species removal, litter clean-up around an animal overpass, and sustainable farming practices. This experience influenced her lifestyle, deepening her commitment to conservation. In her free time, Kirsten enjoys spending time outdoors, often using school breaks to travel the world, with camera in hand to capture the stillness of nature. She also has a love for live music and thought-provoking films, especially those that explore existential themes.

Caleb Quisenberry

Caleb is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee and is double majoring in environmental science and natural resource management from Western Carolina University. Growing up on Signal Mountain, Caleb has enjoyed the local landscapes and wildlife, including the Tennessee Aquarium or through outdoor adventures with the Boy Scouts. He truly enjoys ecosystem restoration, and hopes to use what learns this summer and in his schooling to restore degraded ecosystems. In his free time he enjoys reading, hiking, playing guitar, and working out.