Conservation Director, Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC), Bozeman, Montana, January 2007 to present
Lead, inspire and challenge a team of conservation professionals conserving the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a 20 million acre area containing a mix of public and private land and the full range of species present when Lewis and Clark traveled across the West.
Major accomplishments:
Envisioning and implementing a strategy to restore additional standards for conservation of the Yellowstone grizzly bear population
A lead role on a team securing congressional legislation protecting 1.2 million acres of critical wildlife habitat from oil and gas drilling
Guiding a successful effort to achieve Wild and Scenic River status for over 350 river miles in Wyoming
Relevant roles:
Serve as a member of the organization’s management team with organization-wide leadership responsibilities including:
Working closely with the development department on fundraising efforts involving patrons and members and with the director of foundation giving in creating proposals and reports
Preparing and managing organizational budgets in close coordination with the director of finance
Acting as a principal spokesperson and supervising the communications department, including coordinating messaging to media and membership
Presenting strategic plan conservation elements to board of directors and achieving approval and buy-in.
Associate Conservation Director, GYC, 2005 to 2007
Coordinated opening of new office in Cody, WY, and managed conservation staff working on national parks and aquatic conservation issues.
Private Lands Stewardship Director, GYC, 2002 to 2005
Led organization’s program for conservation of ranchland and open space. Served as acting Conservation Director February to September 2003.
Other Relevant Experience
Chair, Johnson County, Kansas, Parks and Recreation District Board, 2001 (board member 1998 to 2002)
Played a leading role in development and public roll-out of twenty year master plan including $88 million land acquisition strategy
Secured multimillion dollar initial land acquisition allocation from county commission
Led board in successful search for replacement of long-time district director
Partner, Swanson & Midgley law firm, Kansas City, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas, 1994 to 2002 (Associate 1987 to 1994)
Represented a variety of clients including serving as general counsel to a suburban school district and city attorney for a small community.
Vice-Chair, Merriam, Kansas, City Planning Board, 1994-2002
Dealt with a wide range of land development issues in a city of 12,000
Chair, Merriam Chamber of Commerce Board, 1995
Education
Juris Doctorate with distinction, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1987
Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1984
Some other things I've done:
Other experience
Weekly humor columnist- ‘30 Second Timeout’ for the award winning sports section of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, August 2005 to present.
Award winning poet with publications in various literary magazines including Aethlon and The MacGuffin.
