Meet FSRA
Bill Drake
President and Co-Founder
My interest in Native American history, culture, and politics began over 60 years ago, when I was 19. At that time I worked at a summer camp in North Carolina. The camp, which was located in the traditional homeland of the Cherokee Nation, encouraged respect for Native Americans and exposed campers and counselors to the history and culture of the Cherokee. In the 1970s I taught courses in Native American history, culture, and politics to high school students. Over the past thirty-five years I have studied rock image sites in the southwest and western United States. In 1990 I co-founded FSRA after learning of vandalism at a regional site. I am currently the board president.
Nolan Smith
Vice President
I worked as an archaeologist for the Tahoe National Forest for forty years. I served as a district archaeologist and worked with Friends of Sierra Rock Art during much of that time. Currently, I am the FSRA board’s vice-president and oversee the non-profit’s monitoring of ancient petroglyph sites on the National Forest.
Jane York punneo
Board Member
I am mostly retired from a long legal career. I have been on the board for over 15 years serving in many capacities and am a past president. I have been the editor of our Newsletter for over 10 years, and it is a project with a never ending learning curve. I have travelled and studied with Crow Canyon Archeological Institute throughout the southwest. In FSRA, my focus besides the newsletter is on public outreach through events, fundraisers, and new forms such as video and oral history production.
karen ostergard
Board Member
I have been a member of FSRA for over 25 years, and a board member for many years. I have many photos I have taken of rock art sites in the western United States. I enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, and bike riding
Sue vogt
Board Member
I am just a local girl who likes to walk in the woods and loves helping protect petroglyph sites.
John martinez
Board Member
John joined FSRA after devoting his professional career to preserving and protecting California’s natural resources while working with the state’s largest youth program, the California Conservation Corps (CCC). Earlier in his career, he also worked with the U.S. Forest Service in the Los Padres National Forest and with the Yosemite National Park Service.
After 40 years of service, John retired in 2018 from the CCC as the District Director for the Tahoe Service District. During his tenure, he responded to many of California’s major emergencies—from wildfires and floods to earthquakes. As the CCC’s Emergency Manager for several years, he coordinated emergency response efforts in partnership with other state agencies.
John’s interest in Native American history began during his time working on a backcountry trail crew in Yosemite National Park. Visiting the park’s museum sparked a deeper curiosity, leading him to study Native tribes, ancient villages, and petroglyph sites. Before joining FSRA, he visited numerous rock art sites throughout California, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah.
John brings a strong dedication to protecting the rock art sites of the Sierra Nevada and giving back to his community by educating others on preserving our Native history.