Headwaters Economics

Independent Nonpartisan Research

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.

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.

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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.

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Socioeconomic Profiles

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

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Data Visualizations

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

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Recent Media Coverage

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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.

Kelly Pohl

Associate Director

Kelly is Associate Director at Headwaters Economics and helps coordinate the team’s operations and communications and provides research support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Montana State University and a Master’s degree in Geography from Portland State University.

Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

Kimi conducts wildfire research and manages Headwaters Economics’ Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program. She has worked with more than 80 communities across the country to reduce wildfire risk and increase community resiliency.

Janet Clark

Janet coordinates administration and staff support at Headwaters Economics, in addition to being our Editor in Chief. Janet holds a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Montana State University.

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.

Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

Megan leads the team’s research in outdoor recreation, economic development, and demographics. She is a statistician and economist with a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Williams College.

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.

Tara Preston

Tara provides database, data maintenance, and analysis support for Headwaters Economics. She supports updating all of the data that feeds Headwaters Economics tools and products. She holds a Master’s degree in Geography from Montana State University.

Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

Ray is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. He has written extensively on rural development and the role of environmental quality and public lands in economic prosperity. Ray has a Ph.D. from the College of Forestry (economics), Oregon State University.

Kris Smith, Ph.D.

Kris leads the team’s research and community engagement related to flood mitigation and contributes to research on public finance and fiscal policy. Kris holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College, a Master’s degree in Community Development & Applied Economics from the University of Vermont, and has a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences – Geography from Montana State University.

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.

Aidan Reed

Research Fellow

Aidan assists the team with policy research and analysis. He grew up in Helena, Montana and received his B.S. in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from Southern Utah University. Prior to Headwaters, Aidan interned with the Western Environmental Law Center and worked in the SUU MPA graduate department. In his free time, Aidan can be found running, reading, or relaxing.