Sue has lived in Crested Butte since 1971 and is a founding member of HCCA. She has worked on a wide variety of issues since 1977. Her volunteer work focuses on public lands protection, open space, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and other community issues. She serves on the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Board, and Gunnison Basin Sage-Grouse Strategic Committee. Sue leads HCCA’s summer hike program, as hiking in our inspirational public lands and wilderness areas is her passion, and also helps coordinate fundraising and outreach events for HCCA. Her longevity in our community brings a relevant perspective to our work.

Derek is a researcher and writer focused on helping companies address climate change and operate more sustainably. He was born and raised in northeastern Wisconsin and moved to Colorado in 2018. Derek is passionate about public lands and wild places, and he also serves as the communications co-chair for Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Whenever possible he can be found rambling around our public lands on foot, bike, or skis, or with a nose in a book or crossword puzzle. He lives in Gunnison with his wife, two daughters, cat, and chickens.

Natalie has lived in Gunnison County since 2002, first in Gunnison, and more recently, in Mt. Crested Butte.  She recently retired from a 21-year career as a paralegal, specializing in contract law. Natalie joined the HCCA board in November 2021, to take her lifelong passion for protecting the environment to the next level. HCCA has a proven track record of meaningful conservation work, and she is thrilled to be a part of that work and to contribute to the legacy it has built over the years. Natalie also serves on the Gunnison Valley Land Preservation Board. She can generally be found with her grandson in her vegetable garden, kneading bread, hiking, or reading a book by the fire. 

Susan first came to Crested Butte in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the community and the natural beauty. She and her husband (and two boys) spend as much time as possible recreating — hiking with her dogs, snowboarding, nordic skiing, and playing tennis — and enjoying the cultural activities the area offers. Susan is a recent empty-nester and has practiced employment law in Miami, FL for over 25 years and joined the HCCA board to devote new-found free time to her lifelong passion of protecting wildlife and the environment.

Bryan (with his wife Susan and their two boys) first came to the area in 2017. He finds so much about the area to be amazing: Nature, music, radio, the restaurants and taverns, the bookstore, and the art. For Bryan, HCCA is existential; without our work, we all would likely not be here as the waters would be polluted from the mine, and the community would be drastically different. Bryan joined the board out of self-interest and love for the mountains, forests, lakes and streams, and the public lands. Also splitting time between Miami and CB, you can catch Bryan on his bike, fishing the local waterways, playing tennis, listening to the elk bugle or watching marmots in a state of zen, peace, and quiet.

Daniel is a former marketing professional turned painter with a passion for public lands advocacy and clean water. Born and raised in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Daniel has tried to form his life around access to public lands and received his degree in Outdoor Education and Experiential Education from Brevard College in North Carolina. In 2014, he and his wife Ashley landed in Crested Butte and have been in love ever since. Together they have hiked more than 90% of all the trails in the county. A passionate whitewater kayaker and backcountry skier, Daniel first became interested in HCCA's mission because of his connection and love for the pristine headwaters of the Gunnison River basin.

Erika first visited Crested Butte in 2018 for a Nordic skiing weekend and was blown away by the incredible scenery. She moved to the valley full-time in 2020 and has been in awe of the natural beauty of the public lands of the Elk Mountains every day since. Prior to working at another nonprofit in the Gunnison valley, Erika was a teacher for fifteen years. She spends her summers mountain biking with her wife Betty, playing tennis, and hiking with her dog Charlie. Winters are spent skiing and playing hockey. Erika is excited to be a member of the HCCA board and support the essential work of conserving and protecting our precious public lands.