our executive committee

Cara Gildar

Executive Director

I am excited to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Montelores Coalition. As a resident of Montezuma County for 21 years, I am grateful for this opportunity to join such a dedicated group of individuals creating a framework for sustainable outdoor recreation in our communities.

A little about my background: I come to this role with a strong foundation in ecology and public land management. Additionally, I bring experience as the Director of Corporate Support for a local nonprofit, where I focused on building relationships with corporate partners and securing resources to support the organization’s mission. These experiences have shaped my approach to strategic planning, relationship building, and fostering partnerships to address complex issues.

The Montelores Coalition has already made significant strides in community engagement, relationship building among diverse stakeholders, and strategic planning. I am eager to build on this strong foundation as we continue working together to create and implement a common vision for balancing sustainable outdoor recreation, conservation of cultural and natural resources, and economic development opportunities in Montezuma and Dolores Counties.

In the months ahead, my focus will be on completing our strategic planning process, charting a path forward for implementation and strengthening our relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. By fostering these connections, we can ensure that our efforts are aligned with the broader goals of our communities and that we are leveraging all available resources to create sustainable, impactful change.

A huge thank you goes to Michelle Furi, Coalition Coordinator, whose vision, hard work and professionalism have been integral to the Coalition’s success. Michelle’s role will transition to our Communications Coordinator, where she will continue connecting with stakeholders and the public through digital and print communications, as well as events.

I look forward to getting to know each of you better and working together to further the Coalition’s important mission.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the Montelores Coalition. I’m excited for what lies ahead!

Thomas Rice

Chairperson – Recreation Staff Officer, San Juan National
Forest, Dolores Ranger District

Tom Rice has lived in the Four Corners region since 1987.

His career includes working as a boatman on rivers in southern Utah as well as the Environmental Protection Agency director for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and a variety of positions with the Bureau of Land Management . He currently works for the San Juan National Forest, Dolores Ranger District, as the Recreation Staff Officer.

Tom, his wife Kelly McAndrews and children Willa and Blair live in Montezuma Count

Joseph Manning

Vice Chair – Assistant Field Manager, Resources, BLM Tres Rios Field Office

Joseph Manning is the BLM Tres Rios Field Office Assistant Field Manager for Resources. He has served in various roles for land management agencies throughout the west. He particularly enjoys being in quiet, wild places.

Paul Morey

Chief of Natural Resources, Mesa Verde National Park

Paul is the Chief of Natural Resources with Mesa Verde National Park, where he manages staff that help protect and preserve the park’s wildlife, vegetation, and physical resources.

Paul’s journey in conservation has taken him through various agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, Wildlife Services, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he primarily worked as a wildlife biologist. In addition to his wildlife biology roles, Paul has also served as an Assistant Field Manager for the BLM in Montana, overseeing a diverse array of programs ranging from vegetation and range management, recreation, maintenance, wildlife horses and archaeology. His broad spectrum of experience has equipped him with a holistic understanding of land management principles and practices, and seeks collaboration with stakeholders to find win-win solutions to resource management challenges.

He lives in Dolores with his wife and two teenage boys. Paul and his family are avid outdoor enthusiasts. They embrace the natural wonders of the region through activities such as hunting, fishing, white-water boating, mountain biking, hiking and camping.

Beth Cascaddan

Economic Development Director, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Growing up in the rural community

Jamin Grigg

Senior Wildlife Biologist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Jamin Grigg has spent the last three years as the Senior Wildlife Biologist for CPW’s Southwest Region. Prior to his current role, he was an Area Wildlife Biologist for 14 years in Craig and Salida. Originally from the Durango area, a lifelong love for wildlife and wild places led Jamin back to the SW after 20 years away. His passions consist of enjoying and managing the natural resources in SW Colorado, which have shaped his life since he was a kid. He considers collaborating with local stakeholders, communities, and land management agencies among his favorite aspects of working with CPW.

Erik Stiasny

Chair of the Board of County Commissioners in Dolores County

I currently serve as the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners in Dolores County. Prior to being elected as Commissioner, I served as a deputy with the Dolores County Sheriff’s Office. I believe that collaboration is essential to preserve our rural way of life, there truly is no better place to live and recreate than Southwest Colorado and we must work diligently to keep it that way. I am proud to be a fourth generation native of Dolores County, where I currently reside with my wife Annie, three wonderful children, twins Hudson and Sawyer, Quinn, and soon to be introduced, baby #4. I am a member of the Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department and in my free time, I enjoy hunting, hiking, and randonneuring.

Jason Armstrong

Community and Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Mancos

Jason has worked for the Town of Mancos as the Community and Economic Development Director for the past two years. He spends most of his time working to bring workforce housing, high speed internet, supports to local businesses, and living wage jobs to the community, in addition to leading the planning and building department at the Town. In his spare time, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast that was drawn to this region of the state in 2008 for its remote areas and pristine landscapes. Jason believes education and long-term planning is the best way to promote conservation and protect our resources for everyone to enjoy. He holds a bachelor’s in public relations and Masters of Public Administration. Jason currently sits on the Region 9 Economic Development District Board of Directors, Housing Solutions of the Southwest Board of Directors, the Montezuma Leadership Network Steering Committee, and is a member of the Montezuma Planning and Zoning Commission.

Kalin Grigg

Trustee, Town of Dolores

My professional background includes working in Higher Education teaching Sociology and working with faculty and students in designing and coordinating civic engagement and social change projects throughout the Southwest region. I currently serve as a Trustee and Mayor pro tem for the Town of Dolores. I have been privileged to spend a lifetime recreating and subsisting on Colorado’s spectacular public lands. I believe our public lands and the wildlife and natural resources within them are our regions greatest asset and must be very thoughtfully and responsibly managed to balance conservation and preservation with outdoor recreation.

Lanea Donahoo

Owner, Podunk’s Ranch

Lanea Donahoo, born and raised in Cortez, CO, is the proud owner of Podunk’s Ranch, a thriving beef-producing operation. Growing up in Cortez, Lanea developed a deep-rooted passion for farming and land stewardship.

Lanea pursued higher education at the University of Arizona, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with minors in Renewable Natural Resources and Wildlife Biology and Fisheries Science, along with teaching credentials in Agricultural Education. This comprehensive education equipped her with a well-rounded understanding of agricultural systems and sustainable practices.

After graduation, Lanea briefly taught agricultural education in Beaufort, North Carolina. She then dedicated several years to homeschooling her four children before returning to high school education, where she taught numerous disciplines within the curriculum of Family and Consumer Sciences for many years in Aztec, New Mexico.

Five years ago, Lanea returned to Cortez with a mission to preserve her family’s generational land. She founded Podunk’s Ranch, named after a nickname given to her by her grandpa, transforming it into a flourishing venture. Her dedication to sustainable and regenerative farming practices has made Podunk’s Ranch a model of community heritage and agricultural excellence.

Today, Podunk’s Ranch stands as a testament to Lanea’s commitment to agriculture, education, and family legacy. Her journey reflects a lifelong dedication to the land and the values it represents, inspiring her community and promoting sustainable farming practices for future generations.

Brian Bartlett

CEO, Mesa Verde Country

After a 33-year career in hotel and resort management, in markets as diverse as New York City and the Florida Keys, from Boulder, Colorado to Alaska – and almost everywhere in between, for industry leaders like Omni, Sonesta, Sage Hospitality, and Rockefeller Resorts, Brian Bartlett has joined the team at Mesa Verde Country! Brian started in the capacity of Communications and Marketing manager and recently aspired to the Tourism Director & CEO role.

Helen West

Community & Economic Development Specialist, City of Cortez

Helen West is the Community & Economic Development Specialist for the City of Cortez. She is proud to serve her community and region, especially in assisting local businesses and residents. Prior to her tenure with the City, Helen taught music in public and private schools in New Mexico, Colorado, and Washington DC, most recently as the band director at Shiprock High School. In addition to her current employment with the City of Cortez, Helen is the owner of a local walking tour company, Cortez Tours, and helps her parents and husband with their lavender farm + small vineyard outside of Cortez. Helen lives in Cortez with her husband and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, mountain biking, and exploring alternate realities through video games.

Helen received a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado and Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Music Performance and Economics from American University.