board of directors

I am the founder and current Board of Director President for HCVA.  I found great value in exploring our great nation and want to share these adventures with my fellow veterans!

I am a retired United States Coast Guard Veteran, who moved to Colorado for a new life challenge. I am a graduate of Colorado Mountain College, Leadville with dual degrees in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Outdoor education.  I have recently earned my Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Outdoor Education with a Leadership Emphasis at Western Colorado University; currently following it with a Master's of Social Work with the University of Denver's GSSW program in Glenwood Springs, CO.

My certifications include: Wilderness First Responder,  AIARE 1, 2, and Rescue, LNT, and Mental First Aid, and more. When I'm not taking courses to improve my knowledge, I spend the majority of my time volunteering around town or practicing outdoor skills.  Past outdoor achievements include hiking the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail.  Click on the link in my name above if you would like to learn more!

After more than 35 years serving as an Army veteran and leading teams in nuclear, scientific, and WMD fields, I’ve picked up a lot – everything from nuclear operations and counterterrorism to crisis management and working with federal agencies.  My background covers nuclear command and control, consequence management, and pulling together different technical models and systems.  Lately, I’ve focused on safety, guest services, regulatory compliance, and incident response.  Now, I’ve retired to beautiful Summit County, where I get to enjoy winter skiing and summer adventures in the great outdoors.  I hope to bring that love to other veterans I meet!

I’m an Air Force veteran with six years of experience in the intelligence field before transitioning into a career in human resources and data analytics. Though I call Minnesota home and support HCVA from afar, I’m deeply committed to the organization’s mission and the positive impact it creates for veterans. Serving on the HCVA board allows me to continue giving back to a community that has shaped so much of who I am.

I am based in Denver, Colorado. After completely my active duty in the military, I discovered the healing benefits of the wilderness and decided to direct my efforts to getting veterans out in nature together. In 2018 me and my climbing partner became the first all-female veteran self-guided ascent of Denali in Alaska. I now work as a photographer in the outdoor and military tactical industries.

I’m a Colorado native and have been part of the Summit County community for over 20 years. My military service included 4 years active duty and 6 years in the National Guard including a deployment to the Middle East for Desert Storm. After completing my military service I’ve spent most of my professional life in the health and fitness industry. The wilderness is my happy place, and I love sharing that with fellow veterans.

I am a 30-year Navy veteran, aerospace program manager, and outdoor education enthusiast.  Relocated to Colorado for civilian work I ultimately decided to retire early from the corporate world, return to the mountains, and turn my attention to my passion for snow sports and the outdoors.

I have been a part of the Summit County community for 9 years. I moved from Fort Collins after earning an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from Colorado State University. Since arriving in Breckenridge, skiing and ski mountaineering have become my passions.