Staff Members
Biographies for Washington Conservation Voters' staff members.
Kurt Fritts, Executive Director
Brendon Cechovic, Program Director
Shannon Murphy, Field Organizer
Sudha Nandagopal, Communications Manager
Jessica Tweedy, Field Organizer
Clifford Traisman, State Lobbyist
Kurt Fritts, Executive Director
Kurt joined Washington Conservation Voters in October 2005 as Political Director. Prior to Washington Conservation Voters, Kurt served on Governor Christine Gregoire’s senior staff as the Director of External Affairs. Previous to that position, he worked for Senate Democrats in Olympia, first as a policy analyst for the caucus for three years, then as the Executive Director of the campaign committee for another three years.
Kurt graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and political science. Although he always considered Seattle to be home, most of his childhood was spent elsewhere, first in small towns around Washington state, and then living overseas in Hong Kong. He is married, lives in Tacoma, and has two boys.
Kurt oversees the organizational operations and represents the organization in a variety of arenas. In addition to his leadership within the organization, Kurt plays a leading role in the environmental community to select and advance the environmental Priorities each year.
Phone: 206-631-2621 Email: kurt (at) wcvoters.org
Brendon Cechovic, Program Director
Brendon came to Washington Conservation Voters from Missoula, MT, where he spent 8 years working and studying. Originally from the Midwest, Brendon credits his time there for his enthusiasm for environmental politics. He has worked for several progressive organizations including the PIRGs and the Sierra Club, has taught Political Theory at the University of Montana, and is the veteran of state-level political campaigns. Brendon enjoys spending his free time mountain climbing, fly-fishing, and exploring the great Northwest with his wife and friends. Brendon has a B.A. in History and Political Science and a M.A. in Political Science.
Brendon helps coordinate our political work and directs the voter contact programs. Brendon is also the Program Director of the Washington Environmental Council Voter Education Program.
Phone: 206-631-2622 Email: brendon (at) wcvoters.org
Shannon Murphy, Field Organizer
Shannon joined Washington Conservation Voters in January 2008. Shannon’s passion for environmental and social causes comes from studying abroad in Costa Rica and Spain. In her free time, Shannon loves to travel, hike, and play tennis. Prior to Washington Conservation Voters, Shannon was the Pierce and South King County Field Director for the 2007 RTID/Sound Transit campaign. She also worked on Troy Kelley’s successful legislative race in 2006. Shannon graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.A. in Communications and minors in Spanish and Public Affairs.
As the field organizer for the Clark, Thurston, Pierce, Kitsap, and Bainbridge Island chapters, Shannon often travels around Washington, meeting with chapter leaders and engaging people around the state on critical issues. During election season, Shannon works with volunteers and activists to support the campaigns of environmentally friendly candidates in these counties.
Phone: 206-631-2628 Email: shannon (at) wcvoters.org
Sudha Nandagopal, Communications Manager
From her childhood excursions in and around her hometown of Spokane, WA, Sudha developed a broad commitment to environmental issues. Trips to India and a college course in Kenya led her to see the issues of environment, public health, global development and social justice as inextricably linked. After graduating from Cornell University, Sudha completed a fellowship with Green Corps where she organized on campaigns with the Sierra Club, Oceana and PennEnvironment. The 2004 elections brought Sudha back to Washington to organize in Pullman on behalf of the democratic ticket. After that, Sudha worked as an organizer and fundraiser challenging water privatization and developing relationships with social justice and environmental allies across the country and in India. Sudha joined Washington Conservation Voters in March 2007. In her spare time Sudha enjoys dancing, cooking with friends, serving on the board of the Hate Free Zone and exploring Seattle on her bike.
At Washington Conservation Voters, Sudha leads the communications efforts online and offline through emails, the website, newsletters and the Legislative Scorecard and also manages outreach to the media around key activities.
Phone: 206-631-2624 Email: sudha (at) wcvoters.org
Jessica Tweedy, Field Organizer
Growing up in Eastern Washington, Jessica spent most her time on excursions in the outdoors. When many of her friend and family were being diagnosed with same types of cancer, she began to notice the effects that pollution may have on public health. These concerns led her to a career working to protect the environment. Jessica joined Washington Conservation Voters in February 2008 as a field organizer. Prior to this, Jessica was the Washington State Field Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation working to protect the ocean, waves, and beaches. She also worked on the New Voters Project in Los Angeles in 2006 getting record numbers of voters out in a gubernatorial election. Jessica graduated from the Evergreen State College with a B.A. in Community Development and minors in Fine Arts and Public Policy. While in college she helped the Evergreen State College become on the first colleges in the nation to go one hundred percent renewable energy. In her free time, Jessica likes rock climbing, kayaking and working on funky art projects.
As the field organizer, Jessica travels around Northwest Washington meeting with community leaders and engaging them on critical environmental issues around the state. She works in King, Snohomish,and Whatcom Counties as well as the city of Anacortes. During election season, Jessica works with volunteers and chapter members to support environmentally friendly candidates.
Phone: 206-631-2623 Email: jessica (at) wcvoters.org
Clifford Traisman, State Lobbyist
Clifford has been the full-time state lobbyist for both Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental Council since November 2002. He is responsible for the state lobbying programs for these two statewide environmental organizations. Clifford has over 20 years of public and private sector experience both in Washington state and Washington, D.C. During his 11-year tenure in D.C., Clifford held positions as a political consultant; a staff member and congressional investigator for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by John D. Dingell (D-Michigan); and a federal lobbyist in the private sector for the Grocery Manufacturers of America. Since arriving in Seattle in 1995, Clifford has held senior level local government posts as a legislative assistant for Seattle City Council member Martha Choe and as the City of Seattle's Director of Intergovernmental Relations under Mayor Paul Schell. He has also consulted on intergovernmental matters for the City of Seattle's Department of Public Utilities. Campaign experience includes a role as Research Director on Patty Murray's successful 1992 campaign for U.S. Senate. Clifford is a graduate of University of Kansas and lives in Seattle with his wife, three sons, one daughter and two dogs.
Clifford spends much of his time in Olympia lobbying on behalf of the environmental community Priorities. He works with lobbyists in the community and other Washington Conservation Voters staff to produce the weekly Hot List for the House and Senate every Monday during the legislative session.
Phone: 206-369-2235 (cell) Email: clifford (at) wcvoters.org
Tarrell Wright, Development Director
Tarrell comes to Washington Conservation Voters with 15 years of experience in fundraising, primarily in the health and human services arena. She’s worked for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the American Lung Association and the NW Burn Foundation. For the past 8 years she’s also worked as a consultant for organizations such as Boyer Children’s Clinic, Heritage University and KUOW. Most recently she played a key role in TVW’s $8.2 million capital campaign for their new Media Center in Olympia.
As Development Director, Tarrell works directly with donors and foundations and oversees all other aspects of the organization’s fundraising.
Phone: 206-631-2640 email: tarrell (at) wcvoters.org
