James M. Sulentich, Executive Director
jsulentich@occonservation.org
714-973-6654
For nearly 30 years Jim Sulentich has worked in the field of conservation as a biologist, educator, planner and manager in California, Texas, Michigan and Costa Rica. He holds both a B.A. and M.S. in biology from California State Universities, Fullerton and Long Beach respectively. Additionally, Jim conducted post graduate work in ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA and the University of Houston.
Jim joined the Natural Communities Coalition as its Executive Director in January 2013. Prior to his tenure with the Coalition he served as general manager of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District in Monterey, and executive director of the Santa Lucia Conservancy in Carmel, California. Jim’s experience also includes 14 years with The Nature Conservancy, where he held a variety of positions in both California and Texas, culminating as Texas state director.
In addition to the above, Jim served as program director of Catalina Island Marine Institute, executive director of the Houston Arboretum, biological sciences lecturer at Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles, and executive director of the Center for Environmental Study in Grand Rapids, MI.
Danny L. Fry, Science Coordinator/Wildland Fire Lead
dfry@occonservation.org
714-973-6652
In mid-2015 Danny joined the Natural Communities Coalition to implement the wildland fire management plan. Working with the Board and staff, representatives from multiple agencies, businesses, organizations, stakeholders, and partners, Danny’s focus includes prefire fuel management, wildfire resource advising, and post-fire resource management.
Danny’s background is in wildland fire science, primarily from the University of California, Berkeley. For over 15 years Danny has worked as project manager, advisor, and research collaborator, focusing on interactions between fire and ecosystems across western North America. Studies encompassed a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, with interdisciplinary research efforts resulting in dissemination of findings in over 40 reports and peer reviewed academic journals.
Danny holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles (ecology concentration), and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, respectively.
Darin Loughrey, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
dloughrey@occonservation.org
714-973-6653
Darin joined Natural Communities Coalition in March 2020. His primary role is to build relationships and work in collaboration with landowners, stakeholders, partners and members of the community, to support the 37,000-acre Central and Coastal Subregional NCCP/HCP for Orange County.
Prior to joining Natural Communities Coalition, Darin served as a park and recreation administrator for several Orange and San Diego County cities, including Irvine, where he managed the City’s Northern and Southern Open Space Preserves. Darin also served as President of the California Park and Recreation Society in 2012-13 and was a member of the Natural Communities Coalition Board of Directors from 2017-2019.
Darin grew up in Santa Cruz County and developed a love for nature while residing next to Seacliff State Beach and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. He received his B.S. in Recreation Administration from California State University, Fresno.
Levi Gray, PhD, Natural Resource Management Coordinator
lgray@occonservation.org
714-973-6651
Levi has a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis (UCD) and a PhD from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Levi started his career doing ecological studies of California Tiger Salamanders at UCD, then focused more on evolutionary biology during his doctoral studies at UNM. Levi’s recent work took more of a conservation and restoration focus, working with the US Geological Survey on Guam to help combat the invasive brown tree snake and then back in California working with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
Levi’s field experience spans a variety of habitats and ecosystems in California, the US southwest, Latin America, and the Pacific. He has broad interests in natural history, biogeography, and microevolution, resulting in over 30 peer-reviewed publications in professional journals across the fields of ecology and evolution. Levi aims to leverage what he learned as a researcher to help manage, conserve, and restore native ecosystems in the Orange County reserve system.
Much of Levi’s work has been focused on reptiles and amphibians, which are a lifelong passion.