OFFICE TEAM
The office on Baldwin Road works for the young people in the field.
C.R.E.W.'s office team works in Building E2 at 370 Baldwin Road in Ojai.
The C.R.E.W. organization runs three programs: the Field Corps, the Green Valley Project, and Once Upon a Watershed. Together they reach young people from transitional kindergarten to age 25.
Office team members’ email addresses are listed below.
Executive Director
Derek Poultney
Derek joined C.R.E.W. in 2021, bringing more than two decades of conservation experience. His career includes 11 years with the Ventura Land Trust, five years at the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, and an earlier period in environmental consulting and field biology. Derek complements his practical work with volunteer service for multiple nonprofit environmental organizations.
He holds a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and a B.A. in Music Composition from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he also pursued substantial environmental coursework. At the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy he led wetland restoration projects in the upper Ventura River watershed; at the Ventura Land Trust he contributed to efforts to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and public outdoor recreation across Ventura.
Administrative Manager
Todd Homer
Todd grew up in the Ojai Valley and is a former Transportation Manager with over 25 years of logistics experience managing fleet trucking and distribution operations. Todd’s office experience involves project management, personnel, coaching, operations, budgeting, and regulatory compliance. Todd joined the C.R.E.W Team in June of 2015 and holds a BS in Business Management from Cal-Poly Pomona.
Grant & Workforce Development Manager
Kat Whitehouse
Kat is a graduate of CSUCI with a degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management. She joins The C.R.E.W. with a background in Landscape Architecture/Restoration and Avian Biology, working on projects such as the LA River Revitalization, Baldwin Hills Restoration, Inland Empire Landscape Beautification, LA Rain Gardens, and Youth Development Program “Generation Water.” More recently she has been a biologist with the Shorebird Recovery Program at Ventura Audubon working with threatened and endangered shorebirds and has a passion for habitat restoration and conservation. Kat joins The C.R.E.W. excited to help expand a diverse and prosperous program where young adults gain career experience in the fast-growing green collar job industry. When she isn't working, Kat can be found with her husband and daughter Wren exploring and trying new restaurants.
C.R.E.W. Communications and Once Upon a Watershed Educator and Program Assistant