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Rick Adleman has spent 28-years in the non-profit world, with seven of those as the Associate Director of Development for the Colorado Mesa University Foundation; helping to raise over $60M to benefit CMU students. His experience working with non-profit boards includes 13 years as the Executive Director of the CMU Alumni Association, four at the helm of the CMU Maverick Club, and several stints as Interim Director of the CMU Foundation. His career began with Dinamation International Society, a non-profit organization promoting education, research, and preservation of paleontological resources. Sitting on the other side of the board room table, Rick has served on the boards and executive committees of the Museums of Western Colorado, Rotary Club of Grand Junction, Fruita Chamber of Commerce, and the Higher Education Association of the Rockies. Rick became a Certified Fund Raising Executive in 2017. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Colorado Mesa University.

Terri was born in Denver, grew up in Westminster, and lived in Golden before she and her husband, Rick, moved to the best slope in 2000. They fell in love with the high desert canyon country while visiting friends in Fruita in the early 1980 s. They live in the Redlands at the base of the Colorado National Monument. She volunteers at the Colorado National Monument as a Trail Ambassador, assists the Archaeology Division, and enjoys special events, such as the annual Desert Bighorn Sheep Count coordinated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Terri also is an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer for Colorado Canyons Association. When not volunteering Terri enjoys camping, crafting, creating greeting cards, hiking, photography, and spending time with their two cats, Pixie & Trixie. Terri is a Colorado National Monument Volunteer - 19 years. Colorado National Monument Assoc. Retired

Brandon Alvelais is a General Manager and Funeral Director with over 12 years of hands-on experience working through every role within a funeral home. His career has been shaped by direct service to families, mentorship under highly skilled and respected licensed mortuary professionals, and a deep commitment to education, compassion, and community care. Early in his career, Brandon was trained and certified as an EMT, gaining valuable clinical insight into medical emergencies, death determination, and the realities families face in moments of crisis. In addition to his professional funeral service work, Brandon serves as Chair of the HopeWest Hospice Advancement Board, where he helps guide fundraising efforts, community advocacy, and public education by actively learning about and experiencing the wide range of hospice, palliative, PACE, and bereavement programs HopeWest offers. He is the Founder of the Jackson Taylor Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting parents experiencing pregnancy and child loss. Brandon is dedicated to helping individuals and families approach death and dying with greater understanding, confidence, and peace.

Richard has a Ph.D. in Ecology and has been enjoying and studying flora and fauna around the world since eating his first butterfly at the age of three.

Ashton is an Interpretive Specialist for the Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management.

Michelle Auerbach is in the business of saving lives and increasing bravery. When things fall apart, Michelle is the world builder and a community maker who uses all her geeky skills to transform what we ve got to work with into a more just and loving place where more people get taken care of better. She holds an MFA in prose writing from Naropa University and is completing her PhD in Transformational Leadership with her dissertation on story as a technology for trauma aware change for individuals, organizations, and communities. Michelle s newest book is Feeding Each Other: Shaping Change in Food Systems Through Relationships. (https://www.feedingeachotherbook.com/) She is also the author of Resilience: The Life Saving Skill of Story. She has published two novels, The Third Kind of Horse and Alice Modern. Both books are lenses through which to see the crucible of redemption and transformation. She writes for the New York Times, the London Guardian, and Sunset Magazine as well as editing and ghost writing for several authors, publishers, and publications. Michelle is a former professor of Ancient World Languages and Literature as well as Creative Writing who brings the 6,000-year perspective on the possibilities that exist in our work life to show up as creative, engaged, strategic, and connected builders of the emerging future.

B is the Volunteer and Exhibits Coordinator for EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum.

Michelle Boisvenue-Fox has been the Executive Director of Mesa County Public Libraries for the last seven years. She holds a Masters Degree in Information and Library Science from the University of Illinois. To date, she has almost 30 years of professional library experience and almost 40 years of library work experience in public and academic libraries. Michelle has given many state, national, and international presentations on her library work with some publications as well.

Peter MacMillan Booth, Ph.D., comes from a fifth-generation Western family. Peter is a museum professional who has worked in cultural institutions throughout the West including Arizona, Oregon, and Colorado. He is currently an Advancement Director at The Art Center of Western Colorado.

Mel and Dean bring many years of coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. They work with public land management agencies to develop trails for biking and hiking on the western slope of Colorado.

Dean is a long-time COPMOBA supporter and in 2024 began giving some of his time and energy as a Grand Valley Trails chapter committee member. Beginning in 2025, Dean became a COPMOBA board member and hopes to give much more back to the sport that he has enjoyed for so long. A retired civil engineer, Dean brings his many years of coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations to COPMOBA. He has served on the boards of other nonprofits including bicycling advocacy organizations. Dean grew up in Pittsburgh but since shortly after high school he has lived and recreated in numerous places around the Intermountain West and Colorado Plateau. Since 2011, Dean and his wife have been settled in the Grand Valley, enjoying the mountain biking, other recreational opportunities, and great access to public lands.

Callie Caplenor is the Education Coordinator for the Southeast Arizona Group, which includes Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Callie attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned a B.A. in English, and eventually an M.S. in Forestry, with research focused on human dimensions of wildlife management. She then traveled around the west for several years working as a seasonal park ranger at places like Olympic National Park and Glacier National Park before settling in southeast Arizona in the fall of 2021. Here she was pleasantly surprised by the amazingly diverse Sky Islands region. Her favorite parts of the job include creating and delivering curriculum-based education programs, working on an employee wellness program for the parks, and conversing with the visiting public about the latest bird sightings. In her free time, you can find her hiking around the Huachuca Mountains and spending time with her Maine Coon cat, Bug.

Susan has a BS In Ornamental Horticulture, MLA (Master's in Landscape Architecture), holds multiple certifications including Certified Arborist, QWEL- Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper in Irrigation Auditing and Graywater, CSU Extension Native Plant Master, and co-lead for the Plateau Chapter of the Native Plant Society. She is an Emeritus CSU Extension Professor and is the Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Grand Junction.

Gary has a B.S.E.E. - M.S.E.E. from Purdue University, J.D. Suffolk University Law School, and approximately 30 years studying, practicing, presenting, and teaching all aspects of Japanese and Chinese art, including the effects of cultural, philosophical, and religious influences on the development and practice of styles and schools of art, with illustrations.

Sheri Covey is an Advanced Instructor and Owner of Rocky Mountain Ortho-Bionomy Center. Her love and passion for Ortho-Bionomy is contagious. She delights in the miracles of the work that transpire daily in her life. She has been working with Ortho-Bionomy since 1995 and has a successful practice. Her body has healed, her life and her spirit through this work. It is her dream that Ortho-Bionomy touches as many lives as possible.

Mary is an attorney with personal and working experience in the areas of Wills and Estates, Probate and Guardianship, and Conservatorship and Durable Powers of Attorney, as well as hospital ethics committees, including health care decision making.

After practicing Yoga for almost 10 years, Laura was inspired to attend Yoga Teacher Training. Yoga Teacher Training taught her the enormous benefits of Yoga for everyone especially as we age.

Matt is the Curator of Cross Orchards Historic Site, which is owned and operated by the Museums of Western Colorado. Mat has worked with the Museums of Western Colorado since December 2015, starting as an unpaid volunteer. He has studied Colorado railroad history for most of his life. Born in Lafayette, Colorado, he began building scale model trains at age six. He has lived in Grand Junction since 1981 and holds a bachelor's degree in U W. History from Mesa State College. As an avid hiker, he has explored many abandoned and active railroad grades of both Colorado and Utah. Matt is the author of the Palisade Historical Society's booklet, "The History of the Railroads in Palisade, Colorado." It includes photos and information about the fascinating story of the significant impact the railroads had on the growth and prosperity of Palisade. Every detail on local business all the way up to modern trains of today. The booklet's printing was underwritten by the Rio Grande Federal Credit Union, a member owned, not for profit company whose original and current members were railroad employees.

This is Lizzy's fourth year as a member of Mesa County Search and Rescue. Currently she works for the research and development branch of the division of fire prevention and control and works as an instructor of Wilderness First Responder courses for Desert Mountain Medicine.

Sarah Dishong, a Grand Junction native, has been involved in the art community for many years. She has been a part of the downtown community for 25+ years. Currently, she works for Downtown Grand Junction, as a project coordinator, with Art on the Corner being her primary focus. Art on the Corner has a special place in her heart. She remembers the first exhibit in 1984 and has watched the program grow into its own.

Ann Duncan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Colorado State University Extension, where she has served Montrose, Mesa, Delta, and Ouray counties for the past ten years. Her work spans health and nutrition education, food preservation, food systems, food safety, and related topics. Born on a local cattle ranch, Ann brings a deep-rooted connection to agriculture and a passion for helping people understand their food where it comes from, how to use it, and how it can support a healthy, fulfilling life.

Tom is originally from western Michigan and has lived on the Western Slope of Colorado for almost five decades. In the Roaring Fork Valley, he was employed in several areas of the construction industry. Tom is retired and lives in Grand Junction. He is President of the Grand Valley Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national conservation and environmental organization.

Curtis Englehart is the Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, leading the organization in recruitment and expansion efforts. Originally from Delta, Curtis attended Colorado Mesa University to play baseball which has led to a career full of service, purpose, and strategic development. With over ten years of local experience creating strong community partnerships at the senior leadership level. Curtis was previously the Director of the Mesa County Workforce Center where he led an organization that focused on connecting local talent to local employers and spearheading strategic workforce programs in the region geared towards primary jobs. Curtis was also the driving force behind the Work Ready Community Initiative in Mesa County. Currently, Mesa County is the only Certified Work Ready Community in the state of Colorado, which gives us the tools to objectively map and inventory the skill level of our regional workforce. Curtis took the reigns as GJEP s Executive Director in August of 2022 and will focus heavily on business recruitment and expansion, primary job creation and community development initiatives.

Karen Enos is the Secretary for Elks Lodge #575, Grand Junction, Colorado.

From Rheumatoid Arthritis to Helping other people.....Earlin was diagnosed with RA in 1999. For all of these years, she had been under the care of a Rheumatologist, but their care and medication were not enough. She started looking for alternative care and that is when she found Ortho-Bionomy. After she received a few months of sessions, she was able to move easier and with little pain. Earlin's experience with this therapy was so rewarding that she started taking classes and is now a Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy.

Tim Foster, former President of Colorado Mesa University, is best known for the growth and expansion of our local university. He has also been the Executive Director of the Colorado Commission of Higher Education and served as Majority Leader in the Colorado Legislature. His informal resume includes beekeeping!

Originally from outside Philadelphia, Erica developed an early connection to organic agriculture through school field trips to the Rodale Institute. She went on to volunteer on organic, regenerative, and permaculture farms across the United States and Southeast Asia. After spending five years in Steamboat Springs running a ski rental delivery company, Erica found her way to Honey Rock. She now leads sales, marketing, and hospitality for the orchard, overseeing wholesale fruit sales, overnight accommodations in the Cave Suites, and the planning and promotion of events that invite the community to come taste and experience what s growing on the land.

Lyn has taught at Texas A&M University and Colorado Mesa University. A retired hospice and palliative care chaplain, she is the author of two books on the psalms.

Ellen Friedman is a member of the board of directors for End-of-Life Colorado. She has been following an inner calling to educate, partner, and companion people at end of life for a few decades. As a retired physical therapist who worked across the continuum of healthcare, she discovered a sacred space in being with people as they approach the conclusion of their life's journey. She is passionate about people learning their end-of-life options so that their personal wishes can be honored. Ellen serves people in person on the Western Slope and virtually throughout the world. She brings a peaceful loving presence to conversations.

A member of the board of directors for End of Life Options Colorado. She has been following an inner calling to educate, partner and companion people at end of life for a few decades. As a retired physical therapist who worked across the continuum of healthcare, she discovered a sacred space in being with people as they approach the conclusion of their life's journey. She is passionate about people learning their end of life options so that their personal wishes can be honored. Ellen serves people in person on the western slope and virtually throughout the world. She brings a peaceful loving presence to conversations

Ellen Friedman, MA is a member of the board of directors for End of Life Options Colorado. She has been following an inner calling to educate, partner and companion people at the end of life for a few decades. As a retired physical therapist who worked across the continuum of healthcare, she discovered a sacred space in being with people as they approach the conclusion of their end of life journey. She is passionate about people learning their end of life options so that their personal wishes can be honored. Ellen serves people in person on the western slope and virtually throughout the world. She brings a peaeful loving presence to conversations.

Jere Friedman, J.D., M.A., CMMI, is an Employee of the Universe with full benefits! Jere holds a Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology and serves as a Soul Centered Coach and ordained minister. As a Gongmaster, Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor, and certified Breathwork Healer, Jere founded Spiral Light Sound & Meditation Center in Grand Junction, Colorado in 2021. Jere retired from his 30+ year practice as a corporate transactional attorney in 2024. Through his coaching practice, sound medicine journeys, and other skills, Jere s life work is to contribute to the evolution of consciousness on Planet Earth by supporting others in finding their own way to joy, fulfillment, and inner peace. As a Soul-Centered Coach, he supports his clients in transforming their lives on the Soul Line of life as well as the Goal Line. He created and leads The Authentic Man Project to support men in finding greater clarity into their Authentic Self and their role as a man in today s world. Jere regularly facilitates public and private gongbaths and cacao and breathwork ceremonies in Grand Junction and throughout Colorado, as well as nationally and internationally. Jere also offers classes and public speaking on meditation and mindfulness, Spiritual Psychology, conscious leadership, spirituality, reclaiming your life from burnout, and similar topics. Jere has personally experienced the transformational rewards of reduced stress, increased inner peace and calm, enhanced relationships, improved focus and efficiency, heightened intuition, and living a more authentic life that become available when one adopts a daily meditation practice. Ask Jere he ll show you how easy it is to claim these benefits for yourself!

Sheree Fukai s love for the City of Chicago and all its history comes naturally. She was born in Chicago and lived most of her life in the Windy City . Sheree is a retired engineer who spent her career at the City of Chicago's Department of Aviation, overseeing construction at O Hara, Midway, and Meigs Field. Sheree and her husband, Aki, moved to Grand Junction in 2018 and have enjoyed every minute of it. Sheree is currently the President of the Grand Junction Downtown Rotary.

Dale was a former teacher at the elementary through college levels. She earned a doctorate from U.C.,Berkeley, in Reading and Language Development and is a Board Certified Educational Therapist. Before retiring she owned and operated several learning centers in the California Bay Area that provided individualized testing and instruction to children and adults.

Vicki Gee is a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher and yoga therapist with over 20 years of yoga experience and a deep commitment to supporting adults 55 and older. Her classes are thoughtfully designed for those in midlife and beyond, offering gentle, supportive movement that fosters strength, flexibility, balance, and a sense of ease in the body. With a presence that is both steady and uplifting, Vicki creates a welcoming space where students feel supported, seen, and empowered just as they are. Her teaching blends the science of movement with the art of presence, gently guiding each person toward greater calm, resilience, and connection. Every class is an invitation to move with intention, rest with purpose, and embrace the joy in the journey.

Kara Griffith started and runs the Family Health West Wellness Department. As an Exercise Physiologist, Kara has over 20 years of experience working with a variety of clients across all age groups and fitness levels. Kara s philosophy is to help individuals gain control of their personal health. Her mission is to educate, guide, and motivate to achieve each person s optimal quality and quantity of life. She believes in a holistic approach to addressing individual goals.

Olga Grisak was born and raised in Lviv, western Ukraine. She got her first two degrees at the Lviv Polytechnic National University Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, Olga worked in Kyiv, in the IT department of the Ministry of Justice. In 2003, because of her husband s work, the family moved to the United States. Not having local employment opportunities that would align with the previous degrees, Olga decided to go back to college, and graduated from the Radiologic Technology program at Colorado Mesa University (CMU). Olga worked as an x-ray and CT technologist at a local hospital and an orthopedic clinic. In 2013, Olga started teaching at CMU for the Radiologic Sciences program and maintained the job at the hospital. In 2018, Olga became the program coordinator, and with the additional responsibilities, had to leave clinical practice and dedicated herself to the program.

Sharon grew up in Northern Ireland, leaving at the height of the troubles in the early eighties to work in London. From there she moved to Oman, where she worked in administration for the Omani government, then later in human resources in the oil and gas industry. There followed moves to Ecuador and then Yemen, where she worked as an ESL instructor, and finally another stint in Oman. She finally settled down in Palisade in 2013, when she began working as a Spanish-English translator. Sharon also taught Spanish at CMU for 4 years. She is now retired and enjoying life in Palisade with her husband, Bill, and their beloved labrador, Yampa. Sharon has a Bachelor s Degree in Spanish and a Master s in Translation Studies.

Although her career was in international eco-tourism/adventure travel and Colorado wildlife viewing, Renee is now a mixed-media artist specializing in Alcohol Inks. She has taught hundreds of students the joy of creating art with this amazing medium. She has exhibited her art in numerous galleries and shows, and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Collage Society and Palisade Art Lovers group.

Chris Herrman was the Executive Director of Colorado Canyons Association, 2021-2025. He has 35 years of experience leading conservation, non-profit organizations at the local, state-wide, and national levels and has worked as a consultant for foundations and a variety of conservation initiatives. He is well versed in fundraising and organizational development and has advised clients on grant-making, strategic restructuring, and staff development. Chris enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and river rafting. He has made his home in Grand Junction since 1998.

Gary is a retired IT Director for United Health Group. He was introduced to tabletop games in the 1990s while he was a Computer Programmer. Since then, he has played hundreds of different games and taught his whole family the fun of board games.

I love to travel. Through my travels, I have gotten a better understanding of art and history. This has whet my appetite to delve further into both art and history. Travel opens your world to so many things. It sparks life-long learning of new things through geographical and cultural exchange.

Rob is a personal and community preparedness expert who has helped his community prepare for, mitigate, and respond to disasters. He has helped staff the emergency-operations centers during disasters including, wildfires, floods and windstorms. As a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program manager and instructor he taught life saving skills to over a thousand people. His background includes being a paramedic on an ambulance in the Denver Metro area; and participating on search and rescue teams in Colorado, Utah, and Yosemite National Park.

Vicki is a retired clinical mental health counselor.

Dave is retired from D51 and worked with a team providing Special Education students with assistive technology. Dave is a New Dimensions Tech Volunteer.

Amber Kirkendall is the Park Ranger/Volunteer Coordinator at the National Park Service's Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice, NE. In 2015, Amber received an M.A. in historical studies from Nebraska Wesleyan University. In 2018, Amber started as an intern at Homestead National Historical Park and has been there ever since. Amber is passionate about unearthing historical stories and connecting them to modern audiences.

Kristi Knowles is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) with over two decades of distinguished service in law enforcement and financial crime investigation. Kristi currently serves as a Civilian Investigator specializing in financial crimes with the Grand Junction Police Department. Her career in law enforcement began in public safety communications as a 911 Telecommunicator before she graduated with honors from the Delta-Montrose Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2003. Over the years, Kristi has held various sworn and civilian roles within the Grand Junction Police Department, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Chiefs Honor Guard Member and her current position as a Civilian Investigator focused on white-collar crime, elder financial exploitation, fraud, scams, and embezzlement. Kristi is widely regarded for her investigative rigor, courtroom professionalism, and specialized training in both general criminal investigation and financial crime. In the realm of financial crime, she is a respected member of numerous professional organizations including the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS), and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI). Through these organizations, she has completed numerous courses, reinforcing her expertise in complex fraud schemes, cybercrime, and inter-agency investigations. In addition to her ACFE and ACFCS certifications, Kristi has completed specialized financial crime investigation training through the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Her NW3C coursework includes virtual currency investigations, open-source intelligence techniques, synthetic identity fraud, and financial exploitation prevention. This advanced training supports her ability to lead complex investigations involving digital evidence and cyber-enabled fraud schemes. Kristi regularly provides testimony in courts and is highly regarded for her clarity, credibility, and depth of subject matter expertise in financial investigations. Kristi is also dedicated to community education and prevention efforts. She regularly conducts fraud prevention sessions for the public, seniors, businesses, and civic groups, helping individuals and organizations understand how to identify, avoid, and report scams and financial exploitation. Her community outreach is a critical part of her mission to reduce victimization and build public awareness around financial crimes.

Ali Kolleda is the education specialist for the Fort Gregg-Adams Army Museum Enterprise, which includes the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum, the U.S. Army Women s Museum, and the Ordnance Training Support Facility. Her background is in collections management and public history, and as a museum professional her goal has been to fill gaps in the historic narrative by diversifying collections and programming. She has a master s degree in Public History from James Madison University and has been working in Army Museums for 13 years. During her career, she has worked as the Special Collections Archivist for the Army Sustainment University, the Assistant Curator for the Virginia Holocaust Museum, and the Archivist for the Fort Monroe Authority outside of her work with the Fort Gregg-Adams Museums. Ms. Kolleda has presented at the Society for History in the Federal Government, the American Association for State and Local History, the Virginia War Memorial, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and is credited on several government and private publications, including The SixTripleEight documentary, outlining the service of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in the European Theater during World War II.

Maya Kraushaar has a passion for creating opportunities within the Grand Valley to help unite and uplift. She has completed her 200-hour registered yoga teacher training and has been practicing yoga her entire adult life. Through the practice of yoga, we offer ourselves care and nurture our interconnection with the world. Maya offers accessible/chair yoga for those who are new to yoga or with mobility issues as a way to nurture the mind, body, spirit connection. She believes that this healing practice will have a positive impact for those who participate.

The Rev. Dr. Lauren R. E. Larkin is currently the Rectrix of The Episcopal Church of the Nativity. In June, 2024, she graduated from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) with a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and Political Ethics. Her dissertation, "Leaving Heaven Behind: Paradoxical Identity as the Anchor of Dorothee S lle s Theology of Political Resistance", focuses on cultivating or demonstrating that socio-political resistance on behalf of the (Christian) believer's neighbor is definitely a part of good, Christian praxis in the world to the glory of God. She reads and writes on Dorothee S lle and Martin Luther and truly enjoys teaching whenever she gets the chance. She also believes that our encounter with God in the event of faith is one that makes us advocates for the neighbor in the world as Christ was an advocate during his time on behalf of those who were marginalized and oppressed.

Jon grew up in Grand Junction. He graduated from The United States Military Academy at West Point with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, with a M.S. in Industrial Engineering. Jon was an Army Lieutenant Colonel and Aviator. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. A retired Foreign Service Officer, Jon has a professional working proficiency of speaking and reading Russian and German.

Pam was a secondary school instructor with an MA and 30+ years of experience teaching Spanish. She has 18 years experience teaching Medical Spanish (for adults) to private groups and at CEC. Pam has traveled extensively to Spain and Mexico with student groups and is currently teaching private Spanish lessons.

Ken is the retired Superintendent of Colorado National Monument. He worked 40+ years for the National Park Service that included service in 14 national park units, Superintendent of five units, and international assignments. For 20 years he also served as Senior Advisor for the Department of the Interior's International Assistance Program in the country of Georgia. He holds degrees in International Relations and Colorado Plateau Geology and is published on these topics. He serves on Boards of Directors for his Rotary Club, the Colorado National Monument Association, and New Dimensions. His current passions are international relations, New Dimensions, traveling with his wife, Jeannie and since 2018, instructing classes for New Dimensions.

John is the founder of the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum.

Roland McCook is a Uncompahgre Ute of the Northern Ute Tribe. Roland was born in 1941 on the Ouray and Uintah Reservation in Northeast Utah. Roland has served his people in many positions with the Ute Tribe and BLM, Fire Management and BIA as well as at the national level with the Smithsonian Institute. Roland lives in Grand Junction, Colorado, and operates a non-profit organization called Native American Cultural Programs, educating and lecturing across Colorado and organizing Native American programs and events.

Zebulon Miracle is the Chief Executive Officer of Roice-Hurst Humane Society. Born and raised in Grand Junction, Zebulon is passionate about the western Colorado community and currently serves as the Mountains and Mesa representative on the state s America 250/Colorado 150 Advisory Panel. Prior to joining Roice-Hurst, he served as the Executive Director of United Way of Mesa County. Outside of the office, Zebulon enjoys learning and teaching about local history, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his wife, son, and golden retriever, Zephyr.

Tim Moore has been the Manager of the Grand River Mosquito Control District in Grand Junction, CO since 2017. Tim has an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Public Administration from Colorado University. Prior to joining the Grand River Mosquito Control District, Tim spent 17 years working for the City of Grand Junction in various capacities. Tim is a native of Grand Junction and has spent most of his adult life in the Grand Valley. Passions he shares with his wife, Paula, include spending time at the family cabin on the Grand Mesa, motorcycle rides, and Jeeping with family and friends in the mountains of western Colorado.

Dave Murphy owned and managed a Biotech Executive Search firm called the Alpine Group from 1999-2022. He also did sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry with Merck 1990-1999. He has a B.S. in Marketing from Murray State University (Kentucky) and a Master of Business Administration and Public Administration from the University of Illinois. He is an Unaffiliated voter, registered Independent, and is now the Chair of the Restore the Balance Board of Directors.

Miki retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service. Post retirement, she worked in healthcare. She also worked as an Interpretive Ranger at Highline State Park arranging for and presenting evening programs. For the past 11 years she has served as a seasonal ranger with the Colorado National Monument. She provides programs at the Monument on geology, plant life, park history and wildlife. She has presented many programs on astronomy for the past seven years at the Monument and also for local community groups and businesses.

Join a ranger from Joshua Tree National Park for a virtual exploration of the Mojave Desert. This program will be led by an education ranger, part of the park s Interpretation Division. In addition to offering virtual programs for audiences of all ages, the ranger also leads field trips for students from kindergarten through college and conducts outreach in local classrooms.

The Mount Garfield Chapter, National Society Daughters of the America Revolution (NSDAR). Beth Avery, A DAR member since 1994. She grew up blocks away from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. She is retired academic library director and the Librarian for the Philadelphia Chapter of the DAR. She chairs the Mt. Garfield Chapter America 250! Committee. She volunteers with various nonprofits such as the Symphony Guild. Nancy Palubicki, a DAR member since 1984. She grew up in Iowa. She served chapter and state offices and committee chairs in the past for both Colorado and Minnesota and is the previous Regent of the Mt. Garfield Chapter. She is a bookkeeper, office manager, and foster parent. She volunteers with various nonprofits such as Friends of the Library. Maggie Unfred, a DAR member since 2010. She grew up in Delta, CO. A previous registrar for Mount Garfield Chapter NSDAR. A volunteer genealogist for the State Application Team NSDAR. She is an avid genealogist. Dalia "Dee" Garrison, a member of the Mount Garfield Chapter since 2017. She served as the Chapter Registrar for 2 years and is an avid Genealogist. She has also published 2 short stories; one is a historical fiction about her great grandmother. She grew up in Missouri, living close to several battle sites of the Civil War (which whetted her appetite to learn about her ancestors).

Maureen Neal is a Professor of English: CMU (retired) and former high school teacher.

Larry was a Professor of Art History and Humanities at the University of Delaware 1978-2023 (retired).

Vic Neil is with Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc.

Dan is a Species Conservation Program Manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, having worked with wildlife, and bats in particular, for over 25 years. He earned an M.S. in Wildlife Biology working on roosting ecology and disease transmission of bats using urban areas. Dan serves as the Chair of the Colorado Bat Working Group and on the board of the Western Bat Working Group. In his current position, he facilitates work with bats through a number of aspects including studies of roosting ecology, disease transmission, species inventory and monitoring, education, and conservation.

Sandra N ez Currier is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the City of Grand Junction and has been working in engagement and outreach for over eight years in Grand Junction.

Holly is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Colorado Mesa University.

As many do, Lynne fell into the Insurance industry. While working as an underwriter and broker, she concentrated a big part of her career to educating other insurance professionals, both in required continuing education classes and credentialed programs.

Colorado Department of Agriculture Scientists. Sam Morgan is the contact person.

Local notables on the panel include Professor Tim Casey, CMU-Political Science; Ken Mabery, Retired Public Lands Manager (Colorado National Monument); Barb Bowman, Retired Tourism Director (Grand Junction); and Chandler Smith, Outdoor Recreation User Group (Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Committee).

Scott is a local cosmologist and astronomer with graduate level course work in physics and astrophysics. His background includes degrees in chemical engineering and a career in process measurement and control systems. After leaving the full-time corporate business world in 2014, he was invited to the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy, to participate in the summer program on advances in Cosmology. He has authored a Cosmology Educational Series and a review paper on the Consensus Model of Cosmology. Scott has since expanded the Series to address the big questions that are key to understanding the history of the universe and our place within it.

Rick served in the USAF for 16 years as a missiles and space operator (ICBM crew, radar operator, USAF/NASA space shuttle planner, etc.). He taught physics at Central High School for 19 years. Currently he is a JPL Solar System Ambassador. He read his first science fiction in 1965. He is a member of NSS and Planetary Society (since the early 1980s). In retirement, Rick is busy with veterans-related projects and Civil Air Patrol.

JoLynn has had a lifetime of playing and learning the best card game ever!

Thomas Politzer, OD, FCOVD, FAAO Tom is a Colorado native and a cancer survivor, who credits healthspan principles to his recovery and good health. Tom moved to Grand Junction several years ago and works as a neuro-optometrist one day a week in Fruita and a half day a week at St. Mary s Hospital. He has previously worked at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, where he started and ran the neuro-vision clinic for 20 years. Tom has lectured nationally and internationally on the topics of neuro-optometry and at Mayo in neuro-ophthalmology. He has authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Tom loves the outdoors and is an accomplished endurance athlete and cyclist.

Jeff Purdy graduated from Colorado Mesa University s Environmental Science and Technology program, then join the Valor team in 2019. He primarily oversees the environmental, health, and safety programs, aids in business continuity, community engagement, and sustainability. Since 2019, Valor has obtained ISO Environmental Management System certification, Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) Gold Partner, the 2022 24-karat CGBN award, and premium cost containment through the Department of Labor s Workers Compensation Safety and Loss Control Program.

Ike Rakiecki is a Librarian at Mesa County Libraries, where one of his responsibilities is for the Rashleigh Regional History Room. He enjoys researching aspects of the history of western Colorado and giving presentations on that topic.

Dee Ramsel s credentials include a doctorate in clinical psychology and an MBA, as well as experience as a clinician, mental health executive, organization development consultant, and medical college professor. She served as the Executive Director of VHA s National Center for Organization Development (NCOD). These services were provided to an organization with over 400,000 employees and over 120,000 trainees. Dr. Ramsel is Past President of both the Society of Psychologists in Leadership and the Society of Consulting Psychologists/American Psychological Association Division 13. She was a co-principal investigator in the area of executive coaching outcomes and has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the areas of employee engagement, psychological safety, and change management. She has won multiple awards, including the highly competitive 2019 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. Other recent awards include the Leadership Worth Following Excellence in Developing Consulting Psychologists Award, the 2021 Society of Psychologists in Leadership Distinguished Psychologist in Management, and the American Psychological Association Presidential Citation. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Society of Consulting Psychologists. Dr. Ramsel was also an associate editor for the APA journal Psychological Services. Currently, she is the founder of Ramsel Consulting. Her primary interests in consulting include executive coaching, team development, strategic planning, and organizational assessments. In her spare time, she likes to golf, hike, and travel. Her husband is a retired CPA, MBA and they have two daughters.

JoAnn Rasmussen was born and raised on a farm in central Iowa and earned her bachelor's degree from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She and her husband relocated to Colorado over 25 years ago and settled in the Denver Metro area. In 2021, they moved to the Western Slope and purchased the Historic Crissey House, which is the only private residence in Palisade on the National Register of Historic Places. Their daughter now attends Colorado Mesa University, so they are enjoying their lives as empty nesters. In addition to managing the various projects at their 118-year-old home, JoAnn is the Chair of the Palisade Historical Society, an appointee to the Tourism Advisory Commission for the Town of Palisade, and she's also the Vice President of the Mesa County Historical Society.

Kelly is the Director of Instruction at CMU Tech.

Luke Runyon is a journalist covering water and climate change in the Western U.S. He serves as co-director of The Water Desk, a journalism initiative at the University of Colorado s Center for Environmental Journalism that focuses on Western water issues and the Colorado River Basin. In 2017 he launched the Colorado River Reporting Project at KUNC, the NPR station for Northern Colorado, where he hosted and reported the podcast, Thirst Gap: Learning To Live With Less On The Colorado River, which earned a national Edward R. Murrow award in 2024. From 2022 to 2024 he served as president of the Society of Environmental Journalists, and is a former Ted Scripps fellow at the University of Colorado. Luke has also reported for KUNC, Harvest Public Media, Aspen Public Radio, and Illinois Public Radio. He s a contributor to NPR s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and APM's Marketplace. He has a master s degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois, Springfield. His work has been recognized by the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Colorado Broadcasters Association, and the Public Media Journalists Association. He lives with his husband, Dylan, in Grand Junction, Colorado.

For Meditation in Retirement Class: Tom has been a New Dimensions teacher since 2015. He has taught mindfulness meditation for New Dimensions. He is a life-long student of meditation and meditation practices. He has formally studied with Hindu, Zen Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist, and Mindfulness Meditation teachers since 1992. In 2012, on sabbatical, he lived in a forest monastery in Myanmar, completing months of intensive meditation training with Sayadaw U Pandita. For Artificial Intelligence (AI) Class: Tom has been a New Dimensions teacher since 2015. Tom has retired from a career as a software and technology executive. He is a life-long student of disruptive computing technologies, technologies that will change the world, as we know it. Tom served as an IT executive for the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Division. He is a dot-com founder and was the President and Chief Technology Officer of successful start-up technology companies. He is a named inventor on technology patents. He is the author of two books on technology startups.

After earning a degree in geology from the University of Cincinnati, Hank embarked upon a 27-year career with the National Park Service. Following assignments in Arizona, Mississippi, and both Dakotas, he served as Chief Ranger at Colorado National Monument. Following a two-day retirement in 1994, he worked an additional nine years as a craftsman and production planner for a local cabinet manufacturer. Now, well into his second retirement, he pursues a variety of interests, one of which is photography.

Dr. Steven Schulte is Professor Emeritus at Colorado Mesa University where he taught from 1989-2020. A scholar of the American West, American Indian History, and Environmental History, Schulte has authored two books: Wayne Aspinall and the Shaping of the American West, and As Precious as Blood: The Western Slope in Colorado's Water Wars. He is enjoying his retirement in Grand Junction by hanging out with his grandchildren, playing tennis, camping, and continuing to research and write.

Justin is an Interpretive Specialist for the Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management at the Atomic Legacy Cabin, an interpretive center that focuses on the mining and milling history of the Grand Valley and its relation to the Manhattan Project. Previously he worked as a tour guide at Gateway Canyons Resort, teaching the history and exploring the mining country of the Colorado Plateau.

Joanne Stamp is the Low-Vision and Senior Programs Specialist at the Center for Independence in the Grand Junction office. Imported from Great Britain 24 years ago. Her British degree & career was in the field of childcare, working in hospitals, schools, the private sector, and social services. In the USA Joanne lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, for 13 years, where she eventually went back to college to study for a degree in Mental Health & Certification as a Mental Health Technician. Afterwards Joanne moved Grand Junction and joined CFI as the Low-Vision Program Coordinator, later transitioning to the position of Program Manager. Joanne s favorite part of her job at CFI is working with her consumers in a practical setting and using assistive technology to solve problems and make life easier and more fun.

Mel Stockwell joined COPMOBA in 2023 after retiring from Copper Mountain Ski Resort and relocating to the Western Slope to be with family. Mel s passion for mountain biking and trail advocacy started in 1986 when he traded in his surfboard for a mountain bike to ride the mighty hills of Ocala, Florida. Since then, Mel has been a member of several trail clubs, building trails and supporting trail advocacy. Mel joined the COPMOBA board in 2024 driven by a desire to give back to the community and support the sport that has brought him immense joy and forged lasting friendships. In addition to his board duties, Mel organized and implemented the trail maintenance days (aka Dig Days) for the Grand Valley Trails Chapter for 2025. When he s not riding, Mel loves to ski, hike, and travel with his family and dogs.

Kim is an experienced player and instructor of Mah Jongg.

Your Movie Team members are movie enthusiasts. They are surprised and amazed to learn that making movies is such a creative and collaborative process and so entertaining in the outcome. Basically, none of them claims to have any qualifications for the role of introducing films in the New Dimensions Mad About Movies class! They have found some of the ways to learn the background of the story, the making of the film, or the actors and other creative artists who help to bring these stories to us. YOU might be the person better prepared to bring them these wonderful works of art! Want to try?

Joe Zeni and Karen Enos will be your Elks Club Tour Guides.

From a young age, adversity taught Luis Trujillo perseverance and hard work. After losing his father at seven, he began working early, and at fifteen he emigrated to the United States, overcoming language and cultural barriers while attending high school. His passion for agriculture began with raising chickens and growing vegetables for his community and later expanded through work in peach orchards. In 2009, he returned to Mexico, where he planted blackberry orchards, built a home with his wife, and raised his three children. He later returned to the United States to continue his work in agriculture and joined Honey Rock Landing six years ago. Today, he is proud to serve as greenhouse manager at one of Colorado s largest organic farms, caring for each plant with dedication and pride.

Luis has worked at Reynolds Polymer for over 12 years and held key roles in Operations and Sales.

Priscilla is a Palisade native. She graduated from Palisade High School and has a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Denver. Her grandparents purchased property in Palisade in 1893 and the family still have a peach orchard on the same 40-acre property. She and her husband live in the house her grandparents built in 1904. Since 2009, Priscilla has been actively involved in creating the Palisade Historical Society as Founding Chairman. Currently, she is vice chair of the board.

Michael has a degree in Science Education from Kansas University. He is an ex-Peace Corps volunteer. He was drafted by US Army and trained as a rifleman and served as an entomologist. He is a retired science teacher, retired carpenter/building contractor, retired school board member, and retired city council member. He is a retired professional volunteer, fly fisherman, and backpacker. His current occupation: grandfather and great-grandfather offering free advice on any topic.

Allan Weinand has been involved in extensive family research for 35+ years, including his families in Colonial America (including Mayflower), early French Canada, pre/early Minnesota statehood, Upper Sioux Reservation, Luxembourg, Germany, England and Ireland. His family research led to regaining his Luxembourg dual citizenship in 2015. He has consulted with numerous individual and families to help them with their family history. Allan is a graduate of the Boston University Genealogical Research program, member of the National Genealogical Society, Minnesota Genealogical Society, and Mesa County (Colorado) Genealogical Society. Allan recently retired from working over 40 years in health care. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, (BS) and University of Wisconsin (MS).

Dee taught a sociology of conflict and related courses at the university level for 25+ years, and trained federal staff on conflict management/resolution techniques at a Department of Energy national laboratory. He also published articles in related peer-reviewed journals.

Retired trial attorney with 44 years of experience including many constitutional issues.

Dr. Timothy C. Winegard is a New York Times bestselling author of six books including "The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator." He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, served as an officer in the Canadian and British Armies, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, television programs, and podcasts. Winegard is an Associate Professor of History at Colorado Mesa University, where, as a true Canadian, he is also the head coach of the hockey team. His latest book, "The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity", was a National Bestseller in both the United States and Canada.

Joe is a third-generation Grand Junction resident and retired school teacher. He enjoys being a life-long learner. He engages in a wide variety of community activities and likes to volunteer with others to help make Grand Junction the best place to be. Spending time exploring the Western Slope, reading, writing, watching movies, and gardening fill out his spare time.

Stan Zygmunt is a retired chemical engineer who moved to the Grand Valley eight years ago with his wife, Larrayne, a retired teacher. Stan spent the first part of his engineering career working in oil refineries in Louisiana and Wyoming, the second part as a partner in an engineering consulting company providing chemical process design and environmental services to a variety of industries, and finished his work life at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. At Los Alamos, Stan initially developed waste treatment processes and later worked on the Laboratory s role in the United States Plutonium Disposition Program, a program to demilitarize surplus plutonium. Stan enjoys building and flying remote control airplanes. He claims to be an RC pilot because his flight time exceeds his plane repair time, a tenuous claim. As a New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute volunteer, Stan helps with marketing and course development, manages the Midday with New Dimensions program, and is a class instructor. Stan s interest in Gilsonite started with a drive over Baxter Pass to Dragon Junction where he was introduced to the term Gilsonite and saw sites that challenged his engineering senses. Looking up Gilsonite, he found it was a naturally occurring asphalt. With petroleum refining in his background, mining asphalt in the late 1800s made no sense. Stan dove into researching Gilsonite history finding documents both online and at the Lloyd Files Research Library in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the Regional History Center in Vernal, Utah. His research culminated with a visit to the American Gilsonite Company in Bonanza, Utah, where his remaining questions were answered and he was suited up in safety gear and taken down into an operating Gilsonite mine. The information Stan found was so interesting he had to share it, so he put together a class on the history of Gilsonite mining for the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute. Since then, he has given lectures on the subject to several organizations.

Spring 2026 Instructors