Experience

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community and Economic Development Field Specialist

  • Jul 2023 - Present



Cortez Cultural Center

• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos

• Executive Director

  • May 2016 - Jul 2023

  I work with a board of directors, volunteers, staff and community partners to lead a rural community arts and cultural nonprofit and nature preserve with an annual operational budget of $198k, driving operations to provide impactful programs which increase cultural understanding, promote the arts, and educate about history, diversity, and the natural environment in the Four Corners. So far, I have raised over $500k through grants, sponsorships, earned revenue, and donations in the last 4 years to support the organization's mission-driven programs and operations. • Lead all efforts for fundraising, programming, event planning, operations, and capital campaigns, including managing a gift shop, preserving an historic building and outdoor performance venue, hosting an annual regional birding festival, presenting nightly summer Native American dance performances, exhibiting local art shows, and conserving a 122 acre nature and archaeological preserve. • Spearhead strategic planning projects in partnership with local tourism sector stakeholders to improve economic resiliency and enhance the sense of place in Montezuma County. • Partner with nonprofits and local educators to develop and deliver new programs that create career pathways for local Native youth in arts and culture. • Collaborate with the local American Legion to give toys to over 200 local youth for the holidays. • Work with the Cortez Public Library and the Sharehouse Press to develop and deliver virtual programs on topics important to the local community such as white privilege, cultural competency, Native knowledge and identity, and water in the West. Show less



Town of Palisade

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community Development Director

  • Feb 2012 - Apr 2014

  Oversaw town’s building and planning, special events, recreation, tourism, and code enforcement operations. Coordinated the process management and review of applications and approvals for development, including annexations, subdivision, site plans, and long-term planning. Spearheaded program management with additional leadership in marketing and outreach. Devised, executed and evaluated local and regional marketing plans successfully with budgets under $10k. • Engineered the details of a profitable, 3-day annual Americana music festival that shattered records for both sales and attendance by 50%. • Effectively coordinated recreational programs and special events, including weekly seasonal farmers’ market, maintaining revenue, and reducing expenses by 46%. • Developed collaborative partnerships with business groups to design economic development strategies, including Tax Increment Financing districts and authorities; offered impactful market research to realtors and potential start-ups, endlessly networking via presentations and communications. Show less



Town of Mancos

• Administrative & Planning Intern

  • Jul 2010 - Dec 2011

  Completed a wide range of projects and policy research for an historic and culturally-diverse town with a population of 1,300 and a general fund of $1,078,207. Coordinated and led outreach and engagement efforts using community surveys, stakeholder interviews, and visioning workshops. Conducted detailed demographic and market research. Assessed community needs and recommended various policies, partnerships, and actions. Analyzed capital improvement plans and public works needs and developed water and sewer distribution maintenance schedules. Administered grant writing, policy research, and outreach to media, chamber of commerce, business groups, nonprofits, and intergovernmental agencies. • Developed 2011 Mancos Comprehensive Plan from start to finish in under 1 year, which has guided policy decisions and community development initiatives for the town of Mancos over the last 9 years. • Authored the first successful regional trails planning grant for developing non-motorized routes between the town and local and cultural amenities, national forest trailheads, and neighboring state and national parks, which was the impetus for the development of the Paths to Mesa Verde project which has won over $6 million in federal, state and local grants, and is one of the state of Colorado's top trail building priorities. Show less



KSJD

• Music Director

  • Jun 2007 - Jun 2010

  Radio program host. Music acquisition, review and cataloging. Playlist database management. Weekly playlist reporting to trade magazines. Developed relationships with music label staff and independent music promoters. Ensuring compliance with copyright and broadcasting regulations. Wrote successful grant for historic preservation and restoration for a new radio station and live performance venue. Radio program host. Music acquisition, review and cataloging. Playlist database management. Weekly playlist reporting to trade magazines. Developed relationships with music label staff and independent music promoters. Ensuring compliance with copyright and broadcasting regulations. Wrote successful grant for historic preservation and restoration for a new radio station and live performance venue.



Town of Rico

• Mayor Pro Tem

  • 2006 - 2010

  Public policy and leadership. Wrote three-mile annexation plan. Assisted with successful geothermal planning grant application. Made policy decisions in the interest of improving the quality of life well into the future. Represented the board on an environmental remediation committee. Gave presentations on the community at national and international conferences. Represented the town at regional meetings on energy sustainability. Public policy and leadership. Wrote three-mile annexation plan. Assisted with successful geothermal planning grant application. Made policy decisions in the interest of improving the quality of life well into the future. Represented the board on an environmental remediation committee. Gave presentations on the community at national and international conferences. Represented the town at regional meetings on energy sustainability.



Rico Independent Publishing Company

• Publisher & Owner

  • Mar 2005 - Sep 2009

  Ad design, ad sales, writing, editing, layout, distribution, administration. Bookkeeping and business development. Ad design, ad sales, writing, editing, layout, distribution, administration. Bookkeeping and business development.



Town of Ophir

• Town Manager

  • 2006 - 2008

  Project management, grant writing and administration, planning, record retention, hr, risk management, land conservation advocate, policy recommendation, intergovernmental relations. Worked with non-profits to successfully lobby congress for $1 million to help forest service purchase private mining claim inholdings important to preserve access and protect wildlife habitat in the valley. Oversaw archeological survey of historic cemetery. Wrote a successful grant for a new water treatment facility, water distribution lines and water meters. Partnered with county and forest service to remediate legacy mine waste in 100 year floodplain. Show less



Self Employed

• Independent Consultant

  • Jun 2006 - Dec 2006

  Economic development consultant. Authored blight study and aided in Downtown Development Authority formation by writing ballot language and guiding coordination of a special mail ballot election. Economic development consultant. Authored blight study and aided in Downtown Development Authority formation by writing ballot language and guiding coordination of a special mail ballot election.



E.J. Heil PC

• Administrative Assistant

  • Jun 2004 - Dec 2005

  Public reception, legal research assistance, business development, and general office duties. Public reception, legal research assistance, business development, and general office duties.



Gunstock Mountain Resort

• United States
• Recreational Facilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Ski Instructor

  • Dec 2003 - Mar 2004

  Ski instructor for all ages, levels and abilities. Ski instructor for all ages, levels and abilities.



Bluecorn Naturals

• Database developer and candle maker

  • Dec 2002 - Apr 2003

  Developed company's first electronic database and poured wax. Developed company's first electronic database and poured wax.



Mount Washington Cruises

• ticket sales

  • 2003 - 2003



Musik International

• Radio Promotions Director

  • Dec 1996 - Mar 2002

  Developed, implemented and evaluated targeted record promotion campaigns to college, NPR, community and alternative radio stations throughout the US and Canada for labels including Universal, Knitting Factory, Beggars Group, Celtic Heartbeat, Tinder, Real World, Astor Place, Arc21, Verve, and others. Created and managed up-to-date national database. Wrote, edited and disseminated press and publicity materials. Coordinated tour support. Established and maintained positive and productive relationships with record label executives, musicians, radio staff and programmers, and colleagues. Incorporated performance measurements and program evaluations. Show less