Our Team

Seva mccarter

Seva McCarter, CFO for CHIPS, has years of experience in the Accounting Field from companies such as Litton Property Management, Inc., LIME Financial Services, LTD, Cypress Ventures, Inc., The Money Store and TRW. She was the CFO & Controller for Litton Property Management for 18 years and still serves as the CFO in a limited capacity. In her career at LIME Financial Services, LTD, she was responsible for over $80 million in monthly fundings. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Rail Road Flat Community Club & Mountin’ Money II, an investment fund on a volunteer basis.

CFO

kettja bennett

Kettja grew up in Alpine County and is now working to complete her engineering degree at the University of Nevada Reno. Kettja began her forestry journey with CHIPS in 2018, first as a Swamper then as a Sawyer for two years. In October 2021, she was hired through the Sierra Nevada Alliance as a Forestry Fellow to act as the Field Operations Manager for CHIPS. Currently, Kettja helps manage CHIPS’ crews in Chico, Yosemite, and Woodfords (Alpine County) areas. She brings a strong understanding of safe-felling techniques, organizational and planning skills, and years of working within a dynamic team setting to CHIPS. She enjoys auto mechanics, swimming, math, and being outdoors.


Field Operations Manager
Equipment Manager

david brant

Dave has an extensive range of experiences. He was a firefighter paramedic in the Bay Area for over ten years. He volunteered for the fire department in Calaveras County for at least ten years while working at an auto mechanic shop. Dave has been an auto mechanic for most of his life. Before starting with CHIPS, he worked as a mechanic and salesman at Guys Saw Shop for 15 years. Dave was hired by CHIPS in July 2020 as a foreman, and was subsequently promoted to Equipment Manager. Dave loves repairing anything, LOVES FISHING, and enjoys being outdoors.

Executive Director

amanda coats

Amanda Coats is the Executive Director of CHIPS Forestry and the organization’s first Indigenous Executive Director. Amanda is of Taíno descent, with her Tribal roots tracing back to Puerto Rico. She brings a strong background in public service, workforce development, community engagement, and organizational leadership to her role at CHIPS Forestry.

Prior to joining CHIPS Forestry, Amanda worked for the California State Senate, where she gained experience in constituent services, community outreach, government operations, and regional partnership development. Her work has focused heavily on strengthening communities, building collaborative relationships, and creating opportunities for underserved and rural populations.

Amanda earned her Associate’s degree in Psychology from Columbia College and later received her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Berkeley. Her educational background, combined with her professional experience, supports her passion for advocacy, workforce development, Indigenous representation, and sustainable community-focused forestry initiatives.

As Executive Director, Amanda is committed to expanding workforce opportunities, strengthening Tribal and community partnerships, and advancing CHIPS Forestry’s mission of wildfire resilience, forest stewardship, and long-term sustainability throughout the region.