Founder, President

Ira Yates is our founder and president of the board. Ira is deeply rooted in Iraan, the Pecos County community and Pecos River where he is a multi-generational landowner along the river. His past conservation work has mostly been focused on the Hill Country and Austin. He placed a conservation easement on his family ranch in 1998, he was a founding board member of the Hill Country Alliance, and he held leadership positions with the League of Conservation Voters, Bamberger Ranch and numerous other conservation efforts in Texas.

Secretary/Treasurer

Colin previously served as the executive director of the Pecos River Resolution Corporation (PRRC) now serves on our board of directors giving us continuity and invaluable relationships and connections throughout the watershed. PRRC, conducted a “fact finding” effort of Pecos River issues that led to the 2016 book, “Bitter Waters,” by Patrick Dearen. This book is literally our manual, historic reference and launching point.

Board Member

William Simpson oversees operations on his wife’s family’s ranch northwest of Iraan. The Pecos River is the northern boundary of the property. Efforts began a few years ago to restore the ranch to, as close as possible, a natural state by deferring livestock grazing, applying herbicides to invasive brush species, and improving habitat for wildlife such as deer, turkey, and quail. It’s the family’s hope that improving the surface of the property will also benefit the health of the river.

Board Member

Pat Goodson is a Licensed Professional Geologist who has been involved with the monitoring, development and protection of groundwater across the State of Texas for the past 40 years. Pat and his wife Jill own property along the Wild and Scenic stretch of Rio Grande south of Dryden, and they reside part-time in Sanderson. They are avid paddlers who have hosted week-long UT Outdoor Program river trips since 1989.

Executive Director

Christy Muse, founder and 12-year executive director of the Hill Country Alliance and former chief external relations officer for Shield Ranch, was a founding board member of Friends of the Pecos River. In Spring 2023, she resigned from the governing board to assume the role of executive director.

Youth Education and Community Outreach Coordinator

Patina grew up in Iraan and graduated from Iraan High School. She loved being involved in agriculture growing up and wanted to continue working in the industry as an agricultural science teacher. Her interest in science led her to spend time as a biology , chemistry, and physics teacher as well.  After investing 32 years in public education, she retired to pursue her love of teaching in a new setting as FPR”s youth education coordinator.

Communications Intern

A West Texas native, Abbye finds her passion at the intersection of communication and conservation. Abbye received her B.S. in Public Relations from Texas State University in 2023, and is currently pursuing her M.Ag in Natural Resource Conservation at Sul Ross State University