our executive committee

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.

Jessica Thurman

Economic Development, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Growing up in the rural community of Beulah, Colorado, Jessica recognized early on in life the importance and capabilities of community collaboration. Drawing from her desire to help others along with her professional experience with nonprofit organizations and child protection, Jessica appreciates the vital role dedicated and effective leaders play in the over well-being of the community. Jessica is committed to addressing mental and behavioral health barriers, and the development and enhancement of business and educational opportunities to support a prosperous economy for those living and visiting the Four Corners Region.

Jessica holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is the Economic Development Coordinator for Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. In her free time, Jess enjoys housing renovations, photography, and leading her Girl Scout Troop on fearless adventures.

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.

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.