Board & Staff

 

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JOHN GEERDES
Executive Director John is a graduate of Colorado State University in Natural Resources Management. In his 34 year career with Colorado State Parks, and later Colorado Parks and Wildlife, John was involved with management and development of Colorado’s most special gems. From Vega State Park to the Arkansas Headwaters, and some time in the regional office, John has touched almost all aspects of natural resource management. CUSP is lucky to have John leading our team following his retirement from Mueller State Park. CONTACT John

CAROL EKARIUS
Executive Director Emeritus Carol has been CUSP’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 Photo 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

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 

JANE MANNON
Development & Outreach Director Jane is a native of Colorado. Her work experience includes the National Park Service at Redwood National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. She worked with the Teller County Community Development Services, and was the long-time face of the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co. as the Community Relations Manager.  Jane has made Teller County her home for over 35 years.   CONTACT    Jane

MichellethmbMICHELLE 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 North Fork 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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KatKAT HERRERA
GIS Coordinator 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
terrythmb2TERRY 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 and building custom furniture.  CONTACT  Terry
KevinthmbKEVIN 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. Kevin painted the spectacular donor appreciation murals on the walls at the front entrance of our office. CONTACT   Kevin

THERESA SPRINGER
Recovery Coordinator Theresa 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
Special Projects Director/ Safety Officer 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 makes jewelry and metalwork projects in her spare time.  CONTACT  Wendie
 

AdrianKnight

ADRIAN KNIGHT
Staff Forester 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 with his dogs. CONTACT Adrian

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Lynne Buchanan, Chair, Interested Individual
Jim Idema, Treasurer, Interested Individual
Christina Burri, Denver Water
Mary Dawson, Aurora Water
Marc Dettenrieder, Teller County
Tom Eisenman, Park County
Zak Humbles, Douglas County
Patrick O’Connell, Jefferson County
Suzanne O’Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation
 
EMERITUS BOARD ADVISORS
Josh Voorhis, South Park Ranger District, USFS
 
 
 

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