Sagebrush maintains a permanent staff and retains many consultants and associates in specialized fields, in order to maintain the availability of a broad, experienced group of professionals. The staff includes individuals with professional degrees and experience in the social, behavioral, and physical sciences, while associates complement the staff with degrees in a variety of social, natural and physical sciences. Both the Principal Archaeologist/Owner and the Principal Investigator are members of the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA). Sagebrush works regularly with other firms in teaming arrangements to provide clients with the most experienced and balanced environmental project teams. Individual staff information links are located to the right.
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About Our Staff
Michael R. Polk, M.A., R.P.A.
Principal Archaeologist/Owner 
Mr. Polk has extensive experience in conducting and managing cultural resources projects in 16 states including all 10 western states. He established Sagebrush Archaeological Consultants in 1983 (which became Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C. in 1996) and has since been owner and principal archaeologist. Since he began his career in the field in the early 1970s, Mr. Polk has been involved with a variety of tasks concerning prehistoric and historic archaeology, history, HABS/HAER documentation, National Register nominations, architectural history, resource management plans and National Environmental Protection Act. He has experience in both prehistoric and historic archaeological excavation and survey, including project management, field supervision and excavation. Mr. Polk has worked with a wide variety of clients in both the public and private sectors, and he has gained a broad perspective in planning and development issues. He has gained skill in integrating cultural resources requirements with environmental and engineering planning programs. Prior to establishing Sagebrush, Mr. Polk worked for a variety of institutions including: San Diego State University (1971-1972), Arizona State Museum, Tucson (1972-1973), Idaho State University in Pocatello (1973-1975), Bureau of Land Management, Vale and Prineville, Oregon (1975-1976), Michigan State University (1976-1980), and Environment Consultants, Inc., Dallas, Texas (1980-1983).
M.A. Anthropology
B.A. Anthropology Don D. Southworth, II, M.A., R.P.A.
Principal Investigator- Historian/Archaeologist 
Mr. Southworth holds an M.A. in Anthropology (Historic Archaeology) with a minor in History, as well as a B.S. degree (double major) in both History and Anthropology. In the past 20 years, he worked in six western states in a variety of undertakings in historic archaeology. These included tasks covering archaeological excavations, project management, osteological analysis, artifact analysis, surveying, HABS/HAER documentation, historic research, National Register Nominations, architectural evaluations, and report preparation. Projects he has participated in include excavating the Tooele City Pioneer Cemetery (the first pioneer cemetery in Utah ), the Old Social Hall, Cove Fort, Camp Floyd, Emery Lime Kilns. He has also participated in the evaluation of numerous bridges, farmsteads, rural and urban community landscapes and architecture, and recorded 2,700 names at Names Hill (Wyoming). For three years, Mr. Southworth worked for the Utah Department of Transportation, as a specialist responsible for both project review and management for transportation projects involving cultural resources in the northern half of the state. These responsibilities included management and review of cultural resource management consultants, as well as the NEPA process, Section 106 review, Section 4(f), paleontological review and evaluation, management of the Historic Bridge Program, and being UDOT's representative on the Utah Historic Trails Consortium.
M.A. Anthropology/History (minor)
Teaching Certificate
B.S. (Double Major) Anthropology/History Ann S. Polk
Senior Archaeologist/Owner 
Ms. Polk has over 25 years of experience in conducting and managing cultural resources projects in ten states including eight western states. Since she began her career in the field in the early 1970s, Ms. Polk has carried out a variety of tasks in both prehistoric and historic archaeology, and in history and historic structure evaluation. She has experience with both prehistoric and historic archaeological excavation and survey including field supervision and excavation. Ms. Polk has worked with a wide variety of clients in both the public and private sectors and has gained a broad perspective in planning and development issues. This has helped her gain skill in integrating cultural resources requirements with environmental and engineering planning programs. Prior to working for Sagebrush, Ms. Polk worked for a variety of institutions including: San Diego State University (1971, 1973), Arizona State Museum, Tucson (1972-1973), Idaho State University, Pocatello (1974-1975), Michigan State University, East Lansing (1979-1980) and Environment Consultants, Inc., Dallas, Texas (1981-1983).
B.A. History
Graduate Studies in Anthropology
Graduate Studies in Anthropology Heather M. Weymouth, M.A.
Senior Archaeologist/Principal Investigator Ms. Weymouth holds an M.A. in American Studies from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, as well as a Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Anthropology, Archaeology and Geology from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She has experience in all phases of archaeological fieldwork, project supervision and report preparation. Ms. Weymouth has served as project manager for cultural resource projects throughout Utah as well as Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado. These projects involved both reconnaissance and intensive level surveys, recordation and excavation of both historic and prehistoric sites, architectural inventories, in-depth property title, historic documents, archival photo and genealogical research, oral history interviews, National Register of Historic Places determinations, historic landscape evaluation, urban detail and HABS/HAER documentation, drafting, laboratory analysis and the compilation of final project reports. Ms. Weymouth has worked with a broad range of clients including state and federal agencies, private interests, and engineering and environmental firms. In addition, Ms. Weymouth has a strong background in field geology and paleontological analysis. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Archaeological Consultants, L.L.C., Ms. Weymouth worked for the WSU Archaeological Laboratory (1988-1989) and served for two years as a summer seasonal archaeologist for the Manti LaSal National Forest (1989 and 1990).
M.A. American Studies
B.I.S. Anthropology/Archaeology/Geology Wendy Simmons Johnson
Senior Archaeologist Ms. Simmons Johnson holds an M.A. in Anthropology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. She has experience in both historic and prehistoric archaeology and has participated in various projects in the Intermountain area. Ms. Simmons Johnson has become proficient in project and field supervision, site evaluation, data collection, file searches, research and documentation of historic sites and events, excavation and mapping of both historic and prehistoric sites, lab analysis, and participation in all phases of final report preparation. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C., Ms. Simmons Johnson worked for the USDA Forest Service, the Office of Public Archaeology (OPA) and the American Expedition to Petra doing field survey, excavation, lab processing and curation of artifacts.
M.A. Anthropology
B.A. International Relations Sandy Chynoweth Pagano
Assistant Archaeologist Mrs. Pagano was trained in Archaeology, Anthropology, and Sociology at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah where she received a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree. She has experience in both historic and prehistoric archaeology and has participated in cultural resource projects throughout the Great Basin. In this time she has become proficient in intensive and reconnaissance level survey, excavation, mapping, site evaluation, artifact inventory and curation, identification and analysis of faunal remains and artifacts including ceramic, lithic and historic artifacts. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C., Ms. Pagano participated in a Bureau of Land Management Land Exchange survey with the Center for Environmental Anthropology at Idaho State University in 1997. In 1996, she worked at WSU as a Supplemental Instructor and Tutor for the Department of Anthropology, as well as, a volunteer assistant at Weber State University=s Archaeological Field School from 1996-1998. She was employed at Utah State University as an archaeologist for the Utah Test and Training Range project with the USAF in 1996.
B.I.S. Anthropology/Archaeology/Sociology Angela L. Garrison
Assistant Archaeologist Ms. Garrison was trained in Anthropology and Archaeology at The Pennsylvania State University in State College, where she received a B.A. degree. She has also completed her certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Weber State University in 2005. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Consultant, L.L.C., Ms. Garrison worked on a variety of cultural resource projects in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area. During this time she has become adept at a broad range of archaeological laboratory and field techniques including: all phases of survey and excavation of historic and prehistoric sites, mapping of buildings and sites, historic research, file searches, exploratory data analysis, photography, historic and prehistoric artifact identification and analysis, artifact curation, vessel reconstruction, supervision of archaeological technicians and surveying with a total station. She also participated in a field school for historical archaeology at the Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania, an 18th Century communal society. This included extensive experience in excavation techniques, as well as weekly lectures and discussions focusing on many aspects of archaeology.
B.A. Anthropology John Baker
Assistant Archaeologist Mr. Baker was trained in Anthropology and Archaeology at The University of Idaho, where he received a B.S. degree. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Consultant, L.L.C., Mr. Baker worked on a variety of cultural resource projects in Northern Idaho. During this time he has become adept at a broad range of archaeological laboratory and field techniques including: survey and excavation of historic and prehistoric sites, historic research, file searches, photography, historic and prehistoric artifact identification and analysis, artifact curation, vessel reconstruction, and supervision of archaeological technicians. He also participated in a field school for historical archaeology at the Johnston Homestead in Nora Creek, Idaho, under the direction of Dr. Mark Warner. This included extensive experience in excavation techniques, as well as weekly lectures and discussions focusing on many aspects of archaeology. Prior to joining the staff of Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C., Mr. Baker worked at the Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology at the University of Idaho where he worked on a variety of projects including the curation and rehabilitation of historic and prehistoric collections for the National Park Services and the Army Corps of Engineers.
B.S. Anthropology |