About Us

Key Staff

William Samuel

Principal

Will Samuel is the Principal, Lead Scientist, and Lead Instructor at Tributary Research Consulting. Read more about his background here.

Qualifications:

  • Master of Science in Fisheries – University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management – University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • Certified Fisheries Professional (FP-C) – American Fisheries Society

  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor

  • NASAR SAR Tech II, certified Incident Commander, and prior Training Chief at Interior Alaska Wilderness Search and Rescue

  • Wilderness First Responder (NASAR) and Emergency Trauma Technician (SOA)

  • Alaska DNR Boater Safety Instructor

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Aidan Hunter

Senior Wildlife Biologist - Bear Guard

Aidan was born and raised in Alaska and brings nearly a decade of hands-on wildlife biology experience across Interior and Arctic Alaska. His career has centered on large mammal capture and population management, where he has personally darted and handled over 95 caribou and 52 moose across more than ten large-scale capture projects, overseeing chemical immobilization, collaring, biological sampling, and drug trial research in coordination with veterinary staff. His bear work spans population management, species planning, and direct field experience in high-density grizzly and black bear corridors, and he has performed forensic necropsies on grizzly and polar bears for federal and state investigations.

Beyond ungulates and predators, Aidan's project experience spans the full range of Alaska wildlife -dall sheep, gamebirds, migratory waterfowl, songbirds, and small mammals- giving him the breadth to contribute meaningfully to nearly any biological field project. Aidan also brings strong technical skills in report writing, R-based population modeling and analysis, and ArcGIS Pro for survey design and habitat analysis.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology – University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • State of Alaska Certified Shotgun Instructor

  • NRA Range Safety Officer

  • Hunter Education Instructor

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Josh Konefal

Instructor — Bear Guard

Josh is a lifelong Alaskan and retired U.S. Air Force veteran with over 17 years of service, including duty as a Search and Rescue Alert Crew Chief on HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft operating throughout Alaska. His background includes extensive work in remote and austere Alaska environments, firearms safety, operational planning, risk assessment, and personnel accountability in dangerous settings. Since retiring from the military, Josh worked with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, supporting live-fire range operations and teaching firearms safety to state employees, hunters, and youth across Interior Alaska. In Josh's current role with TRC, he serves as a bear guard and instructor, responsible for maintaining a safe working environment in remote settings.

Qualifications:

  • Retired U.S. Air Force veteran — 17+ years of honorable service

  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and RSO

  • State of Alaska Certified Shotgun/Rifle Instructor

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Polar Bear Deterrence Specialist

  • EMT-I, Wilderness First Aid, and CPR/AED certified

  • Pre-nursing certificate, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Cutter Degerlund

Instructor — Bear Guard

Cutter grew up in Alaska and Russia and has abundant experience in remote wilderness scenarios. Along with numerous personal and professional ventures, he spent 16+ years leading and participating in the Alaska Wilderness Search and Rescue Team, providing professional volunteer search and rescue services in Interior and Northern Alaska. He has over 10 years of firearms instruction and training experience, including youth programs and bear safety. His background as a professional civil engineer (P.E.) provides a valuable perspective on all aspects of TRC’s operations

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering — University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • Professional Engineer (P.E.)

  • NRA-certified Rifle and Pistol instructor, Range Safety Officer

  • Medical training: EMT, ETT, WFR, WFA

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Jonah Bacon

Fish Biologist — Bear Guard

Jonah began his research career in Wisconsin before moving North, where he has built extensive experience working throughout remote Alaska. He has led long-term fish community monitoring efforts in Prudhoe Bay, including completing his Master’s research on Beaufort Sea whitefish diets, using stable isotopes extracted from eye lenses to reconstruct lifetime feeding histories. Additionally, Jonah has contributed to marine and freshwater research and management of commercial fisheries in Homer, Alaska. This work included a wide variety of environmental sampling, including installing and monitoring weirs, backpack electrofishing, otolith port sampling, and creating a specialized R-shiny app to integrate live in-season data into a manager dashboard to assist with real-time management decisions.

Alongside his scientific background, Jonah brings substantial expertise in remote logistics. He has planned and executed field operations for projects statewide—transporting critical gear, establishing and managing remote camps, and working directly with clients to support mineral exploration and scientific research in remote environments.

In his free time, Jonah is an avid dog musher who offers scenic tours and competes in long-distance races across Alaska.

Qualifications:

  • Master of Science in Fisheries – University of Alaska Fairbanks

  • Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior – University of Minnesota

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Evan Brashear

Environmental Technician

Evan was born and raised in Alaska and has experience supporting fisheries research and monitoring in remote Alaska. His background includes a wide variety of fish and wildlife research, such as gillnetting for test fisheries, ASL data collection, fish husbandry, hatchery maintenance, sample processing, and small boat operation.

In his free time, Evan is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

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Interested in working for TRC? Contact us today at info@tributaryrc.com