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.

Recent contributions

Field Note

The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America

April 16, 2026

Last week, Headwaters Economics Executive Director Patty Hernandez moderated the plenary panel at The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America: A Candid Expert Conversation, a convening hosted by Margaret…

Contributor

Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy

November 26, 2024

Many outdoor recreation communities face outsized wildfire and flood risks. They must prioritize updating infrastructure, community planning, and emergency response.

Contributor

Reinvesting in rural America

October 23, 2024

Reversing the legacy of rural disinvestment—and deliberately designing solutions for rural America—is a down payment on our shared future.

Contributor

A rural capacity map

March 6, 2024

A new map helps identify communities where investments in staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and climate resilience projects.

Contributor

Austin, Texas: Built for Wildfire

February 6, 2024

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.

Author

Building for wildfire

April 20, 2023

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.

Contributor

Mobile home residents face higher flood risk

February 10, 2022

Mobile homes are the most common unsubsidized, affordable housing in the United States but have disproportionately higher flood risk than other housing types.