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Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics

Independent Nonpartisan Research

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About Us

Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions. We inform community decision-making and identify practical solutions by making complex data understandable, beautiful, and interactive, helping develop solutions to some of the most urgent and important issues that communities face.

Where we work Products & Services Expertise Our Team

Based in Bozeman and Helena, Montana, Headwaters Economics receives funding from a wide variety of sources as part of our mission to improve community development and land management decisions. Our revenue comes from numerous places, including contracts with federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service; charitable foundations; and contract work for partner organizations.

Contact Us

Where we work

Headwaters Economics’ tools and data are used by federal and state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and charitable foundations. Our work spans the country, from rural counties to large metropolitan cities.

Our Products & Services

We inform community decision-making and identify practical solutions by making complex data understandable, beautiful, and interactive.

Economic Research

We synthesize our economic analyses in easy-to-read, beautifully laid out reports.

EXAMPLE

Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs

A new home built to wildfire-resistant codes can be constructed for roughly the same cost as a typical home.

Socioeconomic Profiles

Our tools provide customized reports of key demographic and economic indicators.

EXAMPLE

Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomic Profiles

Download socioeconomic reports for states and counties near Bureau of Land Management units.

Data Visualizations

We create interactive dashboards and visualizations to tell a socioeconomic story.

EXAMPLE

Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

Outdoor recreation and the economic impact of Whitefish Trail use in Whitefish, Montana.

Recent Media Coverage

The Durango Herald

  The Durango HeraldA new report helps Colorado mountain towns navigate growth challenges

Wenatchee World logo

  Wenatchee WorldOpinion | The ‘amenity trap’ that is driving NCW’s housing crisis

  KUNRAs Mountain West towns risk being ‘loved to death,’ a new report offers solutions

See all media coverage

Trusted Experts

Headwaters Economics’ team brings decades of expertise, a commitment to rigorous research, and a deep dedication to helping communities thrive in a changing world.

Our Team

Patricia Hernandez

Executive Director

Patty Hernandez is co-founder and Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. Patty has 18 years of experience in researching economic development, building partnerships, and developing technology solutions to help communities plan and adapt to a changing world.

  •   406.599.7425
  •   patty@headwaterseconomics.org

Kelly Pohl

Associate Director

Kelly is Associate Director of Headwaters Economics. With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, she oversees operations and quality control, tracks national policies, coordinates communications, and manages programs to meet organizational goals.

  •   406.599.7841
  •   kelly@headwaterseconomics.org
Dr. Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

Kimi is the wildfire research and policy analyst at Headwaters Economics. She works with communities on-the-ground to inform national wildfire policy, academic collaborations, and scientific outreach.

  •   406.224.1837
  •   kimi@headwaterseconomics.org

Dan Center

Dan oversees Headwaters Economics’ finances and contracts and contributes to research on community development, land management, and outdoor recreation. Environmental stewardship and livable communities have been common themes in his two decades of professional experience.

  •   dan@headwaterseconomics.org

Janet Clark

Janet supports the entire team at Headwaters Economics with experience in program management, public policy, grant writing, and editing.

  •   406.209.4286
  •   janet@headwaterseconomics.org

Bill Daigle

Bill is Headwaters Economics’ lead software developer and programmer, helping design and build the team’s data tools and visualizations. He holds a M.S. in Biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

  •   406.697.8924
  •   bill@headwaterseconomics.org

Doug Green

Doug manages Headwaters Economics’ Community Assistance for Wildfire program. With more than two decades of professional experience in fire departments and as a land use planner, Doug brings practical insights to communities working to reduce risks from wildfires.

  •   541-749-0620
  •   doug@headwaterseconomics.org

Nathan Kommers

Nate leads communications and media relations at Headwaters Economics. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit, government, and corporate environments he is helping bring Headwaters’ research and expertise to those that need it most.

  •   202.746.4390
  •   nate@headwaterseconomics.org

Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

Megan leads Headwaters Economics’ research in outdoor recreation, economic development, and demographics. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a quantitative economist analyzing policies and trends for communities, governments, and nonprofit organizations.

  •   406.570.7475
  •   megan@headwaterseconomics.org
Photo of Bridget Mitchell

Bridget Mitchell, PE

Bridget leads flood mitigation technical assistance at Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance program. She is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience working with communities to provide permitting, design, planning, and construction services.

  •   413.512.0589
  •   bridget@headwaterseconomics.org

Brent Powell

Brent leads Headwaters Economics’ web and media development, providing support with website management, photography, videography, and graphic design. He holds a B.S. in Technology Education from Montana State University.

  •   406.219.1409
  •   brent@headwaterseconomics.org

Tara Preston

Tara collects, updates, and helps analyze the data that feed all of Headwaters Economics’ online socioeconomic tools and products. An insightful data engineer, she knows that good stories can be found in data.

  •   406.577.6866
  •   tara@headwaterseconomics.org

Kris Smith, Ph.D.

Kris is an applied researcher with a unique ability to understand the connections between public finance, natural resources, and economic development. As part of Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance team, Kris works with local governments and technical experts to help communities reduce flood risk.

  •   802.989.5385
  •   kris@headwaterseconomics.org

Scott Story

Scott is the team’s lead GIS analyst, database manager, and data engineer. He coordinates and updates the data behind all Headwaters Economics’ tools and data visualizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Montana State University.

  •   406.202.1424
  •   scott@headwaterseconomics.org

Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

Ray is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. Ray retired in 2021 and can be reached at rayrasker@gmail.com or 406 570-7044

  •   406.570.7044
  •   rayrasker@gmail.com

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