Brent is a mix of artist, technician, and jack-of-all-tradesman.
As Headwaters Economics’ lead web and media developer, he has a hand in all of Headwaters Economics’ outward-facing products. Behind the scenes, he manages the organization’s web properties and multimedia assets.
Besides designing, building, and maintaining Headwaters Economics’ website, Brent supports program managers with his knack for creating images and videos that emphasize program themes and results. He understands the power of images, moving and still, to tell stories. After growing up off-grid in central Oregon and spending most of his life in Montana, he has a particular affinity for the stories of rural communities and their people.
Brent’s graphic work appears in Headwaters Economics’ reports, posts, and program materials, as well as in Headwaters Economics’ newsletters, interactive tools, and custom applications. Contributing to the organization’s technical mastery, he helps engineer the attractiveness and seamless functionality of many of its products.
With a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from Montana State University, Brent has spent 20 years working in information technology and media production for businesses and nonprofit organizations domestic and abroad.
Brent loves to hike Montana’s many mountains and trails with his wife and two sons, camera in hand. His scenic photography can be found hanging throughout Headwaters Economics’ offices.
In this video produced by Headwaters Economics, homeowner Brodey Simkins describes the tragedy of losing his home to wildfire and his commitment to rebuilding with wildfire in mind.
Many outdoor recreation communities face outsized wildfire and flood risks. They must prioritize updating infrastructure, community planning, and emergency response.
Reversing the legacy of rural disinvestment—and deliberately designing solutions for rural America—is a down payment on our shared future.
A new map helps identify communities where investments in staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and climate resilience projects.
In this ten-minute video produced by Headwaters Economics, learn how leaders in Austin, TX came to realize the magnitude of the wildfire threat, and how they brought together diverse interests to protect their community.
Find the latest American Community Survey data in all of our tools, including the Economic Profile System and Neighborhoods at Risk.