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.

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.

Larae sees our public lands facing growing threats from government as well as private development. She feels the need to do all she can to help protect them. Her family moved to Gunnison County to enjoy the outdoors in the surrounding area which is over 80% public lands. She believes, “We must protect public lands to guard clean water, preserve wildlife habitats and keep natural spaces open and available for everyone to enjoy now and for the generations that follow us.” What interests Larae the most about HCCA’s work is the dual focus on Advocacy and Stewardship. She knows that effective long-term impact relies on balancing strong policy defense with dedicated on-the-ground care. As an advertising art director, Larae specializes in marketing and communications, graphic design and social media management, and is particularly excited about aligning these skills with HCCA’s marketing and communications efforts.

Tom believes our nation’s public lands, wildlife habitats and water sources are under more threats than they have faced in his lifetime, and that we need organizations like HCCA now more than ever. He maintains, “We need to inspire people to act before it’s too late to protect and improve natural resources that, once damaged, could take generations to restore, if ever." Tom’s former career as a Denver-based advertising executive lends well to HCCA’s programs. An avid mountain biker and skier, he sees opportunities to effectively communicate our advocacy and stewardship efforts and their impacts to the community at large to better position HCCA as a candidate for financial support and grassroots participation.