Archaeological Staff
Drayton Archaeological Research staff includes a principal investigator, project managers and field technicians with a wide range of pertinent archaeological skills, all with extensive experience in Washington and Pacific Northwest archaeology. Our senior staff meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Professional Archaeology as defined in 36 CFR 61.Garth L. Baldwin, M.A., RPA
| Originally from Blaine Washington, Garth grew up near Drayton Harbor, a small saltwater bay that opens into the Strait of Georgia. The bay is where the company’s name was derived. Blaine is situated in northwest Washington along the coast and US / Canadian Border. After a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1988-1992, Garth earned a B.A. and M.A in Anthropology (2001 & 2003) from Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham. The subject of his thesis was Paleolithic archaeology from the Caucasian Mountains of Russia. Since then work has been closer to home, like coastal shell matrix sites. Garth has had the privilege to work in numerous precontact burial sites performing what can be called “Industrial Recovery” after construction projects have inadvertently disturbed cemeteries and individual burials. He has also conducted and participated in investigations on the eastern Washington plateau. Garth worked as an archaeologist with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for three years (2004-2007). When he left the WSDOT, Garth was the principal archeologist in charge of NEPA compliance for Section 106 projects at the Highways and Local Programs Division. His particular skills include spatial analysis, shell matrix excavation, tribal consultation, burial recovery and assessment, and mediation. |
Matthew I. Gill, M.S.
| Matthew is a Project Manager with Drayton and has 10 years experience in the archaeology field. Matthew has directed excavation and analysis of pre-contact and historic sites, participated in federal, state and tribal consultation, and has prepared technical reports and compliance documentation for local and state transportation agencies. Matthew’s more significant Washington State work included managing an archaeological excavation program of the Department of Transportation’s Hood Canal Retrofit Project in Port Angeles. Currently, he is excavating a historic pioneer cemetery while also trying to complete historic and pre-historic investigations for multiple projects throughout the Puget Sound area. Matthew’s skill set includes a somewhat now antiquated suite of GIS and total station experience with more current interests in regional ethnography. When not working, Matthew competitively races in the regional adventure racing and road bike scene while also maintaining his addiction to disc golf, snow boarding, hiking and mountain biking. Throw in gardening, beer making and cooking and Matthew can be pigeon holed rather easily. |
Stephanie Neal, M.A.
| Stephanie Neil grew up on a farm in Belfair, Washington and has always enjoyed playing in the dirt. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Western Washington University in 2000. After earning a B.A. she worked as an archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service in California and for several contracting companies throughout California and Louisiana before returning to school in 2002. Stephanie earned her M.A. in Anthropology from Washington State University in 2004. Her graduate studies focused on Geoarchaeology producing a thesis entitled Soil and Alluvial Formation at Cox Ranch Pueblo, New Mexico. Most recently Stephanie worked as a biologist and archaeologist with the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho (2004-2007). Stephanie and her husband Jeff recently started a family and moved back to western Washington. Stephanie is enjoying being home again and getting back into Northwest Coast archaeology. Some of her personal interests include quilting, gardening, traveling, skiing and running. She plans to run a marathon in all 50 states (with 5 down and 45 to go). |
Genevieve Brown
| Genevieve knew from a very young age that she had a fondness for rock hounding and collecting. Combined with an interest in archaeology and native peoples developed in her early teen years, it is no wonder that in 1999 she graduated from WWU with a B.S. in Environmental and Engineering Geology and a second major in Anthropology with an Archaeology concentration. Shortly after graduating from the University, Genevieve went to work for a Seattle-based archaeological contracting company. The skills learned completing her geology major gave Genevieve an added dimension in performing archaeological research, and found her niche combining the two fields. She presently assists with geoarchaeological project needs for DAR. Genevieve spends free time camping, hiking and visiting archaeological sites. She has spent weeks traveling Peru, the American Southwest, and Mexico. Future trips will include Egypt, Guatemala/Belize, and Ireland/Scotland. In 2004, to bring another lifetime hobby to light, she opened a photography studio out of her home where her children are often helpless victims. |
Christopher L.S. Kaiser
| Christopher L.S. Kaiser graduated from WWU in 2005 with a B.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology. Originally enrolling in classes at the university to support a Geology major, Chris took Archaeology and Anthropology courses to form a minor, eventually switching to a full archaeology credit load. Seeking a job in the CRM field upon graduation, Chris worked for a few independent contractors until becoming a full-time employee of Drayton Archaeological Research, L.L.C. Chris plans to enroll in a graduate program in the near future focusing on Northwest Coast archaeology, but enjoys getting dirt underneath his fingernails in the meantime. Professional interests include spatial analysis, GIS, shell midden analysis, soil/landform morphology, and archaeological theory. Personal interests include music, maritime navigation, fishing and exploring. |
Josh Watrous
| Josh is originally from New York, but grew up in Seattle. He became interested in archaeology in high school while on trips to Italy, the American Southwest and the Ozette Village on the Olympic Peninsula. Josh earned a B.A. in Anthropology with a focus in Archaeology, as well as a minor in Geology, from Western Washington University in 2004. Following graduation he began his career in archaeology working on the WSDOT’s Hood Canal Retrofit Project in Port Angeles. He has since worked for several CRM companies throughout the Northwest. His work in the last several years has included data recovery projects at prehistoric and historic sites. On the west side of the Cascades he has worked on several shell midden, burial and prehistoric campsite excavations. On the east side of the Cascades he has worked in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area on several data recovery project some site date back as far as 7000 years. He has also done his fair share of roadside shovel probes and monitoring. Future plans include going back to school for a Master’s degree in Geomorphology to combine his interests in geology and archaeology. His professional interests include lithic tool manufacture and replication, paleo-environmental reconstruction, and the continuing research surrounding the first inhabitants of the Americas. Outside of work, Josh enjoys mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, cooking, Frisbee golfing and traveling. |
