MONTEZUMA ORCHARD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President, First Term
Cindy and her late husband Tom, who we miss dearly, joined the MORP team through their love for their historic orchard. Cindy brings her passion for orchard preservation to the MORP team.
David Sanford: Member, second term (served 5 years as MORP BOD President)
David has been a resident of Montezuma County Colorado since 1968. He has worked for: the US Forest Service, Southwest Seed, Colorado State University, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and ARAMARK. He has been active in the community of Dolores as a member of the United Methodist church, Dolores Rotary, Dolores Chamber of Commerce, and Boy Scouts. He served on the Board of Directors of the Empire Electric Association, Montezuma Water Company, San Juan RC&D Council and the Mosquito Control Board. He has owned and operated a farm since 1971. David is married to his wife Ann, a school teacher in Dolores. Their two adult sons grew up in Montezuma County and now both reside and work in Durango. David has been interested in agriculture all his life and has wide experience in both dryland and irrigated production. He is a founding board member of MORP having joined the MORP team in 2014.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MORP Advisory Board
- President, First Term and Kim Gilmore
: Member, First Term: Ernie & Kim, both from the east coast, moved to Durango, Colorado in 2012 for work opportunities. Ernie has a background in cultural resource management and works to develop water infrastructure projects in the Southwest. Kim runs a small online reselling business. In 2018, Ernie and Kim decided to plant some roots and bought a home in Mancos. They became interested in MORP's work shortly after moving to the area and attending a grafting class. Since that time, they have become very passionate about cider apples and cider making.
Jessica brings to the MORP team a passion for the preservation of nature, growing food, and processes and technology that can help to maintain a natural balance. She is educated in Environmental Studies and Geographic Information Systems. Jessica has a professional background in Systems Engineering with a focus in satellite imagery and satellite ground systems. Jessica and her family are working to restore an old orchard in Mancos, Colorado newly named Menefee Mountain Orchard. "We are a family operated orchard that is employing permaculture techniques and processes that will help to restore a balance between nature and the food we grow."
Jon grew up running amok outdoors in Southwest Colorado including rafting on the Dolores, San Juan and upper Colorado rivers. Years later he returned to Dolores raise to raise his own family. Jon has practiced law in Southwest Colorado since 1992 with an emphasis in real estate, water law and the needs of small business and municipalities. He brings his passion for orchard heritage and cider to the MORP team.
Lisa and her husband Ron became interested in orchards after attending both a pruning class and a grafting class with MORP. Their favorite apple is a seedling growing in a Montezuma County fenceline they named Montezuma Blush. They have four grown children and three granddaughters, with most of their families residing in the Front Range of Colorado.