Meet our Staff
Luke Hoekstra, Executive Director
Luke spent a part of his childhood growing up on a small family farm along the Sacramento River in northern California where he developed a life-long love of nature and agriculture. Later, his family moved further north to the small city of Redding. There, in the surrounding mountains, he delved deeply into outdoor recreation and learned the personal value of protected natural places. Through these experiences he decided to dedicate his life and career to conservation.
Luke attended Humboldt State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies in 1996. During that same year, he met his wife who grew up in Fresno, and together they now have three grown children. Luke began his career managing outdoor recreation programs for the City of Santa Cruz and the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust (another local land trust). He then shifted his career focus to environmental grants acquisition and project management.
Over the next twelve years, Luke served as an environment consultant for numerous California cities and counties, as well as a local community services district. First as a staff member for a non-profit firm, and then another decade running his own consulting company. During this time, he and his wife also co-founded a non-profit organization that provided environmental education programs for youth, and Luke served as its’ Executive Director for several years. More recently, Luke has worked for most of the past decade directly for a large multi-national corporation that manufactures agricultural drip irrigation products. During that time, he successfully helped to convert the company to an environmentally sustainable, closed-loop manufacturing business model.
Now, as KRLT’s Executive Director, Luke is thrilled to be able to work on conservation projects along the Kings River that will benefit farms like the one on which he grew up. He is also excited to help lead our organization in the next phase of our bright future. He says, “My dedication to promoting conservation is as great as my dedication to my family – which is unrelenting.” When not spending time with his family or working on conservation projects, Luke enjoys mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and going wine tasting.
Cher Arambel, Outreach and Fund Development Director
Cher Arambel’s journey from the Central Valley to a distinguished career in journalism and nonprofit development reflects her diverse interests and deep commitment to community advocacy.
Raised amid the agricultural landscapes stretching between Los Banos and Clovis, Cher’s upbringing on her family’s ranch, where they raised turkeys, sheep, and cattle, instilled in her a profound appreciation for the region’s farming heritage. This early immersion in rural life fostered a strong connection to issues affecting agriculture and rural communities — a connection that would shape her future endeavors.
After graduating from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and journalism, Cher embarked on a career in newspapers. Over more than two decades, she worked as a reporter and editor for various daily newspapers across California. Her journalistic skills and passion for storytelling allowed her to shine a light on important community issues, giving voice to those whose stories often went unheard.
After Cher became a mom, her career took a new turn. She transitioned into development and community relations within the nonprofit sector, drawing on her advocacy skills to support causes close to her heart. Her work has focused on empowering people living with disabilities, advocating for marginalized communities, promoting sustainable agriculture while protecting the environment.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Cher enjoys spending time with her family, rooting for her favorite sports teams — the Yankees, 49ers, Warriors, and Giants —and indulging in dreams of what she would do with a lifetime supply of See’s Candy.