Who We Are

The Feather River Center is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the Forebay Aquatic Center under contract with the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

We are a collaborative effort between California Department of Parks and Recreation and its Division of Boating and Waterways, Butte Sailing Club, Table Mountain Rowing Club, and Chico State Rowing Club. Our mission is to promote education, recreation, boating and water safety, and competitive water sports in and beyond the Feather River Watershed.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, fiduciary oversight, and governance in support of our mission. Comprised of dedicated community members and professionals from diverse backgrounds, the Board works to ensure the long-term sustainability, transparency, and effectiveness of our organization.

**Jordan Reed - President**
As a 40 year resident of Chico, and an avid sailor, Jordan’s association with local sailing clubs and outdoor adventure groups prepared him for leadership of the Feather River Center. He is a strong advocate for both recreation and education at the Forebay, and is always looking for new ways to foster community involvement.

**Anne Stephens, Ph.D. - Vice President**
Anne joined the FRC Board in the spring of 2025. She is a retired assistant professor in the Department of Science Education at California State University Chico and serves as Director of Outdoor Education for the CSU Chico Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. She has served on many boards and committees over the 35 years she has lived in Chico, including the Gateway Science Museum, California Project WET, and the California Environmental Education Interagency Network. A life-long outdoor enthusiast, she especially enjoys sailing and paddling on our regional waterways and recreating with her family.

**Rich Briggs - Treasurer**
Rich was the founding President of the Feather River Center when it was formed in 2017. He serves as a representative for Table Mountain Rowing Club. He has competed in Regional and National Masters events in 1x, 2x, 4+, 4x, and 8+ boats, and coaches Masters and Novice rowing. Rich worked as a physical therapist for 35 years after his Masters Degree training at Stanford University Medical School with and emphasis on education.

**Dede Ferris - Secretary**
Dede is a member of the Table Mountain Rowing Club and has been rowing for ten years. She is an outdoor enthusiast and in addition to rowing she enjoys kayaking , biking and hiking. She loves being on the water and in nature.

**Colleen Milligan, Ph.D. - Club Representative**
Colleen has been a board member for 8 years representing the Chico State Rowing Club where she serves as head coach. She is a Professor of Anthropology at Chico State and part of Chico State’s Human Identification Laboratory. As a board-certified forensic anthropologist, she has assisted in forensic anthropology casework throughout California for over 15 years.

**Luke Milliron - Club Representative**
Luke Milliron comes to the Feather River Center Board as an alum of the CSU Chico Rowing Club. Milliron was a founding member of the team in 2011 and served as a Co-President of the club. Today, Milliron is a busy father of two toddler boys and a University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Orchard Advisor serving the beautiful northern Sacramento Valley. Milliron researches and provides farmer education in support of the almond, walnut, and prune industries.

Brad Cooke - Executive Director

California, Chico State University degree in Recreation Administration. Since 1999 has been associate faculty at Butte Community College in outdoor education and has worked for 25 years in Butte County supporting natural history, native ways, bird watching and environmental education with an appreciation and knowledge for the hidden gems in Northern California. He has been a consultant for a variety of National Wildlife Refuges and education programs throughout Northern California. He has served as an experiential educator for thousands of students and teachers throughout Northern California. Brad Cooke is a tour guide with a huge variety of secrets to our amazing North State.

Partners

We’re proud to partner with organizations that share our environmental and educational focused values. Our partners help to make providing the best service to the residents of Northern California possible. Click on a Partner logo below for more information.