CLIMATE ACTION COLLABORATIVE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Board Director and Treasurer Holy Cross Energy
Walking Mountains stands at the intersection of three crucial and interconnected issues for our Valley and beyond: science and environmental education (for our local communities and visitors too); sustainability (promoting energy efficiency, recycling and much more) and the existential issue of our time - climate change (working to implement the recommendations in the Climate Action Plan to reduce Eagle County carbon emissions 25% by 2025 and 80% by 2050). As a strongly believer in, and supporter of, these missions individually it is truly an honor to be able to do what I can to advance them collectively!
Job Titles:
- Investment Banker and Fundraiser
As an avid skier, hiker and biker, Alan believes in the importance of preserving our fragile mountain environment and the critical role that natural science education plays in achieving that goal. He is a passionate believer in the mission of Walking Mountains, and never misses an opportunity to "spread the gospel".
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Programs Associate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- SVP, Human Resources & Communications, Harrah 's Ent
I love Walking Mountains because of the team of professionals on the staff. They are just the best at what they do which is to inspire and teach young and old about the importance and joy of nature.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Director
- Member of the Board of Directors
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- Science Teacher at Battle Mountain High School
Job Titles:
- Environmental Leadership Coordinator
Job Titles:
- VP Marketing, Vail - Silfer Smith & Frampton
I have been an original supporter of the Gore Range Science Center, now Walking Mountains, since its inception by Kim Langmaid. It is critical that everyone receives education about the importance of science if this fragile planet is to survive. Over population is straining all resources and the future depends on every effort to increase global as well as local understanding of the challenges facing the natural world.
Job Titles:
- Youth Programs Coordinator
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- STEM Curiosity Lab Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Youth Programs Director & Graduate Faculty
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- Climate Action Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Colleen Reitan retired in 2018 from a 36-year career in the health plan business. Most of that career was with two Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, ending as the President of Plan Operations for Health Care Service Corporation headquartered in Illinois and covering 16 million people. Reitan also was the Chief Operating Officer for HCSC and previously for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.
As a new, full time resident of Avon, I have been so pleased to see an organization as devoted to educating youth and adults about this wilderness that we are part of. The focus on sustainability is also an important contribution WMSC makes to the Eagle Valley.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer of the Board
Walking Mountains is vital to the Eagle Valley community. Our relationship with all of the schools provides the opportunity for all kids to develop curiosity and delight in nature. This leads not only to better understanding and care of nature but also a comfort with science and technology that is so important for the world's future. Walking Mountains also provides significant leadership in the valley for long-term sustainability issues.
Job Titles:
- Special Events & Partnerships Manager
Lifelong lover of mountains and streams and stewardship thereof. Served on several conservation non-profit boards, including locally Eagle Valley Land Trust and as Chair of The Nature Conservancy's Colorado Chapter.
Job Titles:
- Energy Programs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director - FirstBank Eagle County Market
I moved to Colorado from Minnesota in 1990. I am still amazed at the beauty of Eagle County and feel so fortunate that I can live here and raise my family in these surroundings. I want to make sure that my children and future generations are educated about environmental stewardship and sustainability so that this valley remains the beautiful place that it is today.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary of the Board
Living in the Eagle Valley and being part of Walking Mountains allow me to fulfill my passions for the outdoors and education. Walking Mountains provides invaluable education and adventures to everyone here in the valley.
My career was in computers. I owned a software company for 25 years where I was CFO, CMO and part-time programmer. It was a very exciting and fun life. We did very early work in the internet in the 1980s and 90s. I sold the company in 2006 and have been retired since then. I have been skiing in Vail for 40+ years and a homeowner here since 2005.
Science education is woefully lacking in our country. This leads to an uninformed public and an unskilled workforce, both of which contribute to a declining society. The Vail Valley is so fortunate to have Walking Mountains as a local institution improving science literacy and making positive differences in many people's lives. I am honored to be part of the WMSC team.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Business Operations
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Grants & Strategic Initiatives
Job Titles:
- Community Programs Director
Job Titles:
- Director of Individual Giving
I love nature and like that Walking Mountains is introducing kids to the wonders of the outdoors and ways in which we can sustain the beautiful valley that we live in.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Programs Director and Senior Faculty Adviser
Jeff is currently pursuing "Life 3.0" as Founding Principal of L3.0 Ventures LLC: serving on public, private and non profit boards and advising companies in a variety of industries.
"Life 1.0": Jeff was a GE Company Officer with a 28 year career leading GE Capital global finance divisions based in Europe, Asia and the U.S.
"Life 2.0": after retiring from GE, he led World Business Chicago for 5 years. WBC is the city's public private economic development entity chaired by the Mayor with a 85 member board of Chicago's leading company CEO's.
Jennifer Craig Geisman has lived in the Vail Valley for almost 10 years. Prior to moving to Avon, she lived in Los Angeles and New York. Jennifer's public relations career began in New York City, where she worked at Michael Klepper Associates, a publicity firm representing the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). Her first project was organizing a press conference at the NYSBA's annual meeting for attorney Barry Scheck to announce the DNA discovery during the OJ Simpson trial. Jennifer left Michael Klepper Associates and went to work for Dan Klores PR, where she represented national entertainment clients and TV shows including Thomas the Tank Engine, Howard Stern and Sally Jesse Raphael. In addition, she traveled with Peter, Paul & Mary for their Kent State University concert for the 25th Anniversary of the school's shootings. In 1995, Jennifer opened her own boutique PR firm in New York City, which focused on consumer products (beauty & fashion), events, retail and press conferences. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2006, she worked from both coasts, with offices in each city. Jennifer transferred her agency to Avon, when she and her family moved in 2012. Jennifer has worked with the Vail Valley Foundation, specifically as the publicist for the Vail Dance Festival and was a freelance writer for the Vail Daily, Vail Lifestyle Magazine and EAT Magazine.
Jennifer lives in Avon with her husband Rick and has two daughters, Jane, a student at CU Boulder, and Hannah who is a student at Smith College. Their family will be welcoming a new puppy this fall, named Duke.
Job Titles:
- CEO Roadhouse Hospitality Group
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
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- Marketing and Communications Manager
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Founder & Senior Sustainability Adviser
Job Titles:
- Environmental Sustainability Manager - Town of Vail
Job Titles:
- General Manager, Antlers at Vail
Job Titles:
- President
- President of Walking Mountains
Job Titles:
- CEO Vail Honeywagon Enterprises
Job Titles:
- President, North 39 Energy
Job Titles:
- Senior Programs Director of Sustainability
Job Titles:
- Regional President, Alpine Bank
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Programs Manager
Job Titles:
- Retired Executive and CEO
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Development
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Director
Job Titles:
- V.P. Research & Environmental Technology, Monsanto ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Superintendent at Eagle County School District
Job Titles:
- Community Programs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Energy Programs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Community Programs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- CEO Vail Honeywagon Enterprises
Job Titles:
- CO United States
- CO United States Google Map
Located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola on Vail Mountain out of Lionshead Village, Vail. All visitors must have a pass to ride the gondola. Free and open to the public with valid gondola pass.
Join us on Vail Mountain for a free educational hike with a Naturalist at the Nature Discovery Center! Register Here Reservations required. Please confirm that you have selected the correct date and time. A face mask/covering is required inside the center regardless of vaccination status. Ages 10 and older only. Suitable for most physical abilities; call (970) 754-4675 for more information. Groups with younger children may join a Winter Nature Walk at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon . Please come prepared with snow pants, warm hats, gloves, sunglasses/ski goggles and sturdy winter boots in order to spend an hour outside in the winter environment at above 10,000ft in elevation. Snowshoes are provided. Tours depart from the Nature Discovery Center atop the Eagle Bahn Gondola on Vail Mountain. All visitors must have a valid ski pass or purchase a Vail Scenic Ride Ticket in order to ride the gondola. Please call (970) 754-4675 if your plans change so that we may accommodate other visitors. In addition to Guided Snowshoe Tours we also offer Winter Nature Walks (in Avon) and Guided Half-Day or Full-Day Backcountry Snowshoe Excursions.