Management Team

Steve Estela - CEO - Managing Director

Steve joined Ponoi River Co. as Managing Director at the start of 2008. In the late 1990s Steve worked as a senior guide and caretaker at the Ryabaga camp and since then has enjoyed a successful career with the company Nervous Waters, based in Argentina. He was General Manager of the world renown, Kau Tapen lodge for ten years and most recently was Operations Director of all properties owned by Nervous Waters. Eminently qualified, Steve brings innumumerous additional experience and fresh eyes to the already successful management team. Steve is now based in Russia and able to provide hands on management throughout the year which results in unified, continued leadership and improves the efficiency and experience that Ponoi is so well known for.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Steve is married to Pata, who has also worked at Ryabaga, and is a proud father of two. Of course a keen fisherman, Steve has fished all over the world, including some fantastic exploratory trips literally at the ends of the earth. He also enjoys all varieties of sports particularly running, cycling, and motor racing.

Svetlana Kudrina - General Director

Svetlana, or Sveta, has worked throughout Russia in varied administrative positions, but has fortunately returned to her native Murmansk to work with local authorities and logistics for Ryabaga operations of the Ponoi River Company.  Sveta’s diverse background in finance adds a depth of professionalism and experience to the Ponoi team, and her work both in camp and in the office keep the company running smoothly.  Despite her in-town responsibilities, Sveta is no stranger to the salmon beats, and she has been known to out-fish even the more seasoned guides on occasion.

Matthew Breuer - Ryabaga Camp Manager

Matthew Breuer is returning for a second year as Ryabaga Camp Manager.  Having fished extensively the world over, Matt brings to Russia a particular affinity for big rivers and anadromous species.  He spent three years as Fishing Manager at the noted Kau Tapen Lodge in Argentina, where he tangled with sea-run brown trout alongside Ponoi Head Guide Max Mamaev and veteran guides Tommy Sordelli and Pelle Tronde.  Off-river, Matt is a passionate hunter and a Certified Professional Pilot, who brings diligence and attention to all of his endeavors.  Though Matt’s administrative responsibilities at Ryabaga keep him close to the office, he manages to negotiate a few days on-river, where he has a knack for putting guests onto Ponoi salmon.  

Sergei Zhurin - Assistant Manager

Sergei has been a pivotal member of the Ponoi team for over 11 seasons.  His insatiable appetite to produce results is a real testament to the work ethic of his generation of a Communism-to-post-Communism Russian upbringing and life.  It is our great pleasure to accept Sergei’s professionalism and ability as an extremely capable coordinator, go-getter, leader, and doer, as he takes on the great task of managing the logistical operations in Ryabaga.  Sergei is a truly inspiring member of the Ryabaga team.  

Reid Bryant - Web Editor

New to the Ponoi team is Web Editor Reid Bryant, who lives in Massachusetts, USA.  Reid is a lifelong fly-fisherman and outdoorsman, who has written for such publications as Gray’s Sporting Journal, Shooting Sportsman Magazine, and the Fly Fishing and Tying Journal.  He will be keeping tabs on the Ponoi River Co. website from the US, and trying to keep his jealousy in check.