The People Behind Forever Our Rivers

Ann joins Forever Our Rivers after 15 years in land and water conservation. As executive director of the Crested Butte Land Trust (CO), Ann conserved wetlands and other ecologically significant lands, local ranches, and hiking and biking trails. During her tenure, the organization tripled its operating capacity and achieved national accreditation. She completed several award-winning river restoration projects and was instrumental in bringing together diverse viewpoints to resolve a 30-year long conflict over the use and protection of Snodgrass Mountain.

Ann later served as the Russian River program manager for the Sonoma Land Trust (CA). She was responsible for creating a land and water conservation strategy to protect the natural processes of the river while meeting social and economic needs. Climate adaptation and the voices of underserved communities were key aspects of her conservation planning.

Ann is serving her second term as commissioner for the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (NY). Prior to that, she served an appointment by Colorado’s governor to the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission (CO). She holds a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in natural resources.

When not working you will find Ann outside with her husband Dave, enjoying the rivers and mountains of Colorado’s western slope.

Jorge is the community partnerships administrator of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR). He develops and implements engagement-related policies, projects and strategies to ensure CASR’s programs are well aligned with the priorities and aspirations of Denver’s under-resourced and environmental justice communities.

Jorge is a member of the governor’s and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board and the liaison of the City and County of Denver’s Environmental Justice Standing Committee. 

Prior to joining CASR, Jorge was co-founder and former director of El Laboratorio, a climate and social justice innovation laboratory and accelerator anchored in social capital. He also worked as a senior water policy analyst with Western Resource Advocates for 8 years, and as a research faculty and project associate with CU Law School and the Governors Climate and Forests Task Force. Jorge was a Fulbright Scholar on Climate and Community Forestry Innovation with the India Institute of Science. He graduated from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law's Environmental Law Program and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. 

Jim is a Professor Emeritus of Management at Colorado State University and the National President of Sigma Iota Epsilon, the honor society and professional fraternity of the Academy of Management. He is the founder and former director of the Beverage Business Institute and the Center for Professional Development and Business Research in the College of Business, where he created certificates in Beverage Business Management and non-profit management. As a management consultant to clients in the private and public sectors, he has worked with a wide variety of businesses and organizations and has served on boards of directors and advisory councils for corporations, public institutions, and not-for-profit organizations including NCAA Faculty Athletics, NCAA Council, Board of Directors of the College Football Association, Mountain-Pacific Sports Federation, Mountain West Joint Council, Student-Athlete Academic Committee, the Black Business Scholars organization and the local chapter of Sigma Iota Epsilon. He has also been an owner/operator of two small businesses and has worked for a Fortune 100 firm in organization development. Jim holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Management/Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations, respectively, and a B.A. degree in Economics from Central College of Iowa.

Chip has worked over 35 years, most of that time as a corporate officer, for a family-owned construction and construction management company specializing in development and management of water and wastewater treatment projects. Chip retired at age 55 and since 2005 began his second career as a full-time community volunteer, with an emphasis on river conservation. He is a founder of the Friends of the Verde River Greenway, a nonprofit watershed organization that has created successful collaboration between public land managers and private landowners working to restore riparian habitat. Within the Verde River watershed, he continues his work on all aspects of river conservation, including the development of collaborative partnerships, sustainable funding for conservation NGOs, riparian restoration, flow restoration, sustainable river recreation and tourism, groundwater pumping mitigation and sustainable land management. When not volunteering, Chip can be found rafting the Grand Canyon or other great rivers in the West.

Growing up, Alexander spent his weekends exploring the forests and lakes around his hometown in
Wisconsin, falling in love with the great outdoors. His professional journey has moved him to Colorado
and taken him across various roles in the hospitality and property management sectors, honing his
skills in leadership and operations.

Currently, Alexander is a property manager at The Romero Group in Basalt, Colorado. His previous
roles include general manager at Little Lake Lodge under The Wonderful Company and various
managerial positions at Aspen Skiing Company. His extensive experience in managing high-end
properties and clubs has equipped him with a keen understanding of client satisfaction and team
management.

Alexander's commitment to community service is evident through his volunteer work with the Garfield
County Sheriffs Department's Search and Rescue team. His dedication to helping others and his love
for the outdoors align perfectly with the mission of Forever Our Rivers.

When he's not managing properties or volunteering, Alexander enjoys hiking, skiing and exploring the
rivers of Colorado and Utah.