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Chris Brooks, President

Chris has been involved in the leadership of the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society and has managed preservation projects and volunteer work parties at the lighthouse for over 30 years. He has also lead many conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and in Alaska's national parks, forests and wilderness areas. In addition, Chris has supervised wilderness based recreation and conservation programs that promote the development of leadership, job and life skills for youth throughout the region. Chris has a Masters of Science degree in Renewable Energy, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, a licensed master electrician, carpenter, builder, and teacher.  He works on rural community development and renewable energy training and installation projects in many parts of the world.  Chris currently resides at Salmon Beach in Tacoma, WA.

Sergio Cartagena

Sergio Cartagena first came to Cape Decision in 2021 and was immediately drawn to the “learn-as-you-go” rhythm of life on the water — adapting to weather, meeting challenges head-on, and relying on community to make a remote place thrive. With a background in R&D engineering, IT systems, and hands-on fabrication across aerospace and healthcare, he’s at home where practical problem-solving meets rugged conditions. Sergio is motivated by the history of those who built in wild places and by the chance to help protect one of Alaska’s last frontier landscapes. He hopes to advance projects that strengthen maritime technology, preserve historic structures, and create pathways for others to share in the sense of adventure and connection Cape Decision inspires. Originally from Chile, he now calls Washington’s coastal community of Salmon Beach home.

Molly Conley

​​Molly is a Museum Curator for the National Park Service based in Anchorage. Previously, she worked for over seven years as Historian for the State of Alaska's Archaeological Survey Unit. Molly holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Florida and a B.A. in History and Communication from the University of New Hampshire. Molly first visited Cape Decision Lighthouse in 2018 and joined the board in 2019. ​

Scott Higgins

Scott's interest in the Cape Decision Lighthouse springs from spending summers on the shores of Fox Island in the Puget Sound, and winter weekends on Mount Rainier; the perfect combination of salt water and mountains SE Alaska has a familiar and comfortable feeling when he has the opportunity to visit.
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After the first trip in July of 2005 Scott was hooked -- returning many more times since, meeting some of the most amazing people and having the time of his life. The adventure of getting to and from the Lighthouse is half the fun and never the same, giving a wonderful overview of challenges of everyday life in SE Alaska and insight for our goals at CDLS.

"In the years I have spent volunteering with CDLS. I have seen great progress in both the comfort and livability at the Lighthouse, the growing interest for the work that is being done, and the dreams for our future. The location of Cape Decision Lighthouse is one of its greatest assets and also one of our greatest challenges to sharing this beautiful landmark with the public. With that said, I feel quite privileged to be able to help in whatever way I can to shape and forward the goals of the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society.” Scott Higgins

Nicole Peters

Nicole Peters is an art conservator from Skagway, Alaska, where she lives and operates a private conservation practice. She has worked extensively with the Alaska Region National Park Service, Alaskan Native Cultural Centers, local museums, and non-profit organizations conserving collections and performing backcountry preservation work throughout the state of Alaska. The experiences Nicole has accrued continue to inspire her to work with collections and sites containing cultural, archaeological, and historical objects and artworks.

Steve Lanwermeyer

Steve has been working on restoration and improvement projects at Cape Decision since 2005.  Over the summers of 2010 and 2011 he helped develop field studies programs at the lighthouse for high school students earning college credit through the University of Alaska SE.  In addition to his work at Cape Decision, Steve works as an instructor for NOLS Wilderness Medicine and works in the solar energy industry.  He lives in Bozeman, MT.