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CAROL EKARIUS
Executive Director Carol has been CUPS’s Executive Director since 1999. She holds a Civil Engineering Degree from the UC Denver and has decades of experience in governmental and nonprofit management. Carol is a freelance writer and the author of nine books, including Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit, and The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. Her articles have appeared in regional and national magazines including Green Builder, Mother Earth News, Western Horseman, and The Writer. She lives with her husband, Ken Woodard, and their farm menagerie near Cripple Creek. CONTACT Carol
JONATHAN BRUNO
Senior Operations Director Jonathan has a Masters in Public Administration from University of Colorado and graduated from the Executive Leadership program at Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He has worked closely with communities on forest health initiatives aimed at creating resilient forests and safer communities, as well as working to restore lands impacted from recent wildfires and natural disasters. With over 20 years within emergency services, as a safety officer for a search and rescue team and as a wildland fire fighter, he continues to work at the intersection of emergency response and community preparedness. CONTACT Jonathan
MARV FIALA
Finance Director Marvin Fiala is a CPA with more than 37 years of experience. That experience includes tax, accounting, auditing and financial services for a wide range of organizations from Fortune 100 companies to small organizations with less than 5 employees. For the past 19 years, Marvin has spent most of his time working with nonprofit organizations that work on the environment, low income housing and other services for the poor. CONTACT Marv.
CHRIS FULLER
Deputy Director Chris coordinates grants, projects and programs; develops and maintains schedules (for people and equipment); and makes sure that safety protocols are implemented with all projects. Water/watershed issues have been of particular interest to Chris as a resident of South Park and former special water district board member. An Oklahoma University graduate, still practicing architecture and running her antique business, Chris grabs every opportunity to check out her favorite place, ‘the road less traveled’ CONTACT Chris
MICHELLE CONNELLY
Operations Director After being away from forestry for a number of years, Michelle is excited to be back working in the forests she is so passionate about. Originally from Kansas, she has a degree in forest management with a minor in watershed management from Colorado State University. When not uniting people with healthy forests, she is often hiking, reading, cooking or volunteering. Michelle is especially proud of the five daughters she and her husband have raised. CONTACT Michelle
JEFF RAVAGE
North Fork Watershed Coordinator Jeff develops, oversees and manages projects in the Northfork watershed. Based in Bailey, he hits the ground in the 285 corridor planning projects, and cuttin’ down the occasional tree. He designs and maintains CUSP websites, the CUSP Servers, and designs forest treatments. He also works in the field with crews and volunteers. He enjoys speaking to school groups and fostering a love of the “really real” world. He sleeps just fine, Thank You. CONTACT Jeff
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KAT HERRERA
GIS Technician Kat started with CUSP as a volunteer GIS intern. Her diverse background includes GIS services in local government. Early on her parents instilled her with passions for the environment, art and science which led to a Bachelors of Science from Metro State College of Denver. Hobbies include a love of pets, plants and gardening, motorcycling and reading. CONTACT Kat
JEFF TIENKEN
Natural Resource Technician II Jeff is a graduate of San Jose State University. With over 25 years of experience in drainage and erosion control and logging, Jeff’s skill set provides much needed expertise to lead the CUSP field crew. He manages, schedules and oversees boots-on-the-ground projects and is a member of our Wildland Firefighting Crew. CONTACT Jeff
TERRY SAPOS
Natural Resource Technician Originally from West Virginia, Terry started as a volunteer working with CUSP’s Neighborhood Fuels Reduction program. That led to running the slash site during the summer season and using his carpentry skills for office repairs and renovations. Terry likes fishing by his under-construction home at 11-Mile Reservoir and building custom furniture. CONTACT Terry
KEVIN RUSSO
Natural Resource Technician & Office Support Kevin is CUSP’s “artist in residence”. He uses his artistic and jack-of-all-trades talents and resourcefulness in several capacities including work at the Fairplay slash site and biofuels facility. Kevin painted the spectacular donor appreciation murals on the walls at the front entrance of our office. CONTACT Kevin
THERESA SPRINGER
Wildland Fire Rehab & Environmental Education CoordinatorTheresa is an original CUSP staff member and started our environmental and public education and outreach programs. After the Hayman Fire, her responsibilities and expertise expanded rapidly. This extensive work has proven invaluable in providing leadership for work in the Waldo Canyon Fire area. Theresa’s background is in agriculture and range management. CONTACT Theresa
WENDIE WARNER
Natural Resource Technician II Wendie was born and raised in Colorado, and considers the San Luis Valley and the tiny town of Mosca home. She has worked in various natural resource jobs. Wendie loves to play outside and underground and makes jewelry and metalwork projects in her spare time . CONTACT Wendie
JASON MOORE
Natural Resource Technician II Jason joined CUSP after working alongside us for two years post-Waldo Canyon Fire. His passion and love for nature, the outdoors and community, makes Jason a perfect fit. Jason enjoys creating art and is inspired by nature. His free time is often spent in the back country. Along with being a certified sawyer, Jason is a recipient of the Staff Hero Award from the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau for his efforts during the Waldo Canyon Fire. CONTACT Jason
EMMA RAVAGE
Natural Resource Technician Emma was born and raised in Colorado. She is currently a student at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, working towards a Bachelors’ degree in Biology. Emma enjoys working on invasive species removal project. Also, she has a special place in her heart of exotic animals. CONTACT Emma
ADRIAN KNIGHT
Natural Resource Technician Adrian is a Colorado Native. He graduated from Western State Colorado University with a Bachelors’ Degree in environmental biology & Ecology. When not busy working Adrian loves hiking and chamois with his dogs. CONTACT Adrian
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Eric Howell, Chair, Colorado Springs UtilitiesGarth Englund Vice Chair, Douglas CountyJim Idema, Treasurer, Interested IndividualDan Drucker, Secretary, Center of Colorado Water Conservancy DistrictTom Eisenman, Park CountyKaren Berry, Jefferson Conservation DistrictChristina Burri, Denver WaterSwithin Dick, Centennial Water & Sanitation DistrictMary Dawson, Aurora WaterMarc Dettenrieder, Teller CountyPatrick O’Connell, Jefferson CountyLynda James, Upper South Platte Water Conservancy DistrictDon Logelin, Pikes Peak Trout UnlimitedJosh Voorhis, South Park Ranger District, USFS
Suzanne O’Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation Lynne Buchanan, Interested Individual EMERITUS BOARD ADVISORSDave Wissel, Director, Upper South Platte Water Conservancy District