Meet our Board of Directors

Michael Brown moved to Colorado in late 1990 from his native state of Oklahoma. In early 1991, Michael began working for Alpine Bank, Aspen as a customer service representative and later, as a lending officer. In 1996 Michael relocated to the Vail Valley, helping Alpine Bank to open locations in Avon and Edwards. He has been part of the Vail Valley ever since, and he currently serves as Regional President for Alpine’s Vail Valley and Steamboat locations. Michael lives in Gypsum with his wife, Stacy, and his two beautiful daughters, Emma and Ava.

As a 30-year resident of Western Colorado, protecting and preserving the beauty of where I live is not just a mission, it is common sense and simply the right thing to do. This is even more important as I witness firsthand the changes in our climate right here in Eagle County. Walking Mountains is a leader in the education and promotion of climate awareness and in what we can do to protect the natural infrastructure of our valley, our communities and our planet

Walking Mountains stands at the intersection of three crucial and interconnected issues for our Valley and beyond: science and environmental education (for our local communities and visitors too); sustainability (promoting energy efficiency, recycling and much more) and the existential issue of our time – climate change (working to implement the recommendations in the Climate Action Plan to reduce Eagle County carbon emissions 25% by 2025 and 80% by 2050). As a strongly believer in, and supporter of, these missions individually it is truly an honor to be able to do what I can to advance them collectively!

Rick Travers has 35 years of legal experience, over 30 in the Vail Valley, with a focus on real estate acquisition and development, development loans, business and corporate matters, hospitality, and homeowner association law. He has overseen development projects throughout the State of Colorado, including the recently completed The Coloradan in Denver, Colorado, Limelight Hotel & Residences in Snowmass, Colorado and The Ridge at Garden of the Gods community in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He also acts as counsel to numerous business, corporate and association clients. Representative Matters Lead attorney overseeing the current development of the master community of Snowmass Base Village, Snowmass, Colorado. Involved in the legal and multi-association planning for several resort village communities, including Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch Village, Aspen Highlands Village and Snowmass Base Village in Colorado, Northstar Village in California and Village at Empire Pass in Utah. Has overseen the planning and development of a high number of individual real estate projects, including residential condominium, mixed-use residential and commercial, hotel development, land projects, golf communities and large mixed-use planned communities. Projects have been throughout Colorado, including Aspen, Avon, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Carbondale, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle, Edwards, Steamboat Springs, Vail and Winter Park. Professional Activities Admitted Colorado, 1990 and Ohio, 1986 Member, Colorado Bar Association, Real Estate Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association, Business Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association and Continental Divide Bar Association Board Member, Walking Mountains Science Center Education

JD/MBA Joint Degrees, magna cum laude, Case Western Reserve University, 1986 Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, University of Notre Dame, 1980

Why Walking Mountains?

A backpacking trip through Yellowstone and the Tetons as a young man in the early 1980s first awakened me to the overpowering rhythms of nature and our deep connections to them. The experience changed my life, as these mountains have changed so many lives. Walking Mountains’ mission is to change lives, particularly those of our young, through the direct experience and intimate knowledge of nature. By deepening individual lives, a rippling effect occurs that heals and enhances our communities, our earth and our future. What better mission could there be!

Colleen Reitan retired in 2018 from a 36-year career in the health plan business. Most of that career was with two Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, ending as the President of Plan Operations for Health Care Service Corporation headquartered in Illinois and covering 16 million people. Reitan also was the Chief Operating Officer for HCSC and previously for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

As a new, full time resident of Avon, I have been so pleased to see an organization as devoted to educating youth and adults about this wilderness that we are part of. The focus on sustainability is also an important contribution WMSC makes to the Eagle Valley.

Current: Chairman of the Board, Eagle Valley Community Foundation; Sabra Healthcare Board member (NASDAQ);
Past: Pres. & CEO of General Electric (GE) Capital Global Commercial Finance Divisions (various); 28 years

Why Do You Support Walking Mountains?

We want to preserve, in all aspects, our “homeland” and planet for future generations. Science must be promoted at the earliest of ages and we remove barriers to access.

I love Walking Mountains because of the team of professionals on the staff. They are just the best at what they do which is to inspire and teach young and old about the importance and joy of nature.

As a science teacher at Battle Mountain High School for the last 20 years, I’ve been involved with WMSC on many levels. I’ve experienced the evolution of environmental education in Eagle County from daily field trips and overnight hut trips to a community focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. After growing up in Michigan and attending college in California, I moved to Colorado for graduate school in 1990 and settled in the Eagle Valley a few years later. My husband, daughter and I currently live in Edwards. I have a passion for education, where I can help students develop their innate curiosity about the world as they better understand their impact on it.

Walking Mountains is vital to the Eagle Valley community. Our relationship with all of the schools provides the opportunity for all kids to develop curiosity and delight in nature. This leads not only to better understanding and care of nature but also a comfort with science and technology that is so important for the world’s future. Walking Mountains also provides significant leadership in the valley for long-term sustainability issues.

Lifelong lover of mountains and streams and stewardship thereof. Served on several conservation non-profit boards, including locally Eagle Valley Land Trust and as Chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado Chapter.

Don Holzworth is currently:
Board of Trustees, Southern Environmental Law Center
Executive in Residence, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health
Board, Posterity Health, LLC (male fertility health services)
Board, Couplet Care, LLC (maternity/infant health products)

Why Do You Support Walking Mountains?

Wailking Mountains speaks directly to my passion for the wonders of our world and its environment. The youth education programs offered and our sustainability work with Eagle County and our local businesses are critically important to addressing challenges climate change poses to the human species. And most importantly, we have outstanding leadership that inspires the entire team as well as our donors.

Whether at work or in life, I am always looking for my next outdoor adventure or working on being the best steward of our lands I can . On skis, out on the trail, or out in the woods with my wife and two furry friends connecting with and protecting this beautiful place we call home is what gets me out of bed everyday.

Click here to watch Walking Like a Mountain: Kim Langmaid at TEDx Vail Women event

A lover of the outdoors, defender of wildlife, conservationist, hiker and skier, Kristen’s passion is working toward growing environmental stewardship in the community. As a former naturalist with the US Forest Service way back when, she now wears several hats as Environmental Sustainability Manager for the Town of Vail.

My passion for social equity has taken me to understand that there is no sustainability success without the human equity component. This realization has taken me to become a public supporter of blending organically the three aspects of a productive sustainability effort which includes the environment, the economy, and the social equity. As a Board Member of Walking Mountains I am honored to chair the Community Advisory Committee which works with social minorities in our county.

Markian is focused on leadership development, effective team building, staff training, and risk management. He loves spending time outdoors with his wife and two daughters

As the President of Walking Mountains, Markian is responsible for the overall operations of the school. He joined Walking Mountains after fifteen years with Outward Bound West where he served as a field instructor, course director and Colorado program director. Throughout his career in outdoor education, Markian has focused on leadership development, effective team building, staff training, and risk management. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Colorado and resides in Eagle with his wife and two daughters.

My career was in computers. I owned a software company for 25 years where I was CFO, CMO and part-time programmer. It was a very exciting and fun life. We did very early work in the internet in the 1980s and 90s. I sold the company in 2006 and have been retired since then. I have been skiing in Vail for 40+ years and a homeowner here since 2005.

Science education is woefully lacking in our country. This leads to an uninformed public and an unskilled workforce, both of which contribute to a declining society. The Vail Valley is so fortunate to have Walking Mountains as a local institution improving science literacy and making positive differences in many people’s lives. I am honored to be part of the WMSC team.

Philip Qualman is the Superintendent at Eagle County School District.

Why Do You Support Walking Mountains?

Walking Mountains Science Center is an outstanding partner for Eagle County School District. They provide engaging, hands-on experiences that complement our school programming related to science and the environment. They help us teach students to be responsible stewards of natural resources and adventurous explorers of our surrounding wilderness.

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, Broker
Mountain Youth Foundation, Board Member
Bluffs HOA, President
Haymeadow Metro District Board Member.
Eagle County Conservation District, Board Member
TOE Downtown Development Authority, Vice Chair
Trekking For Kids, Board Member and Guide in Bhutan
Friends of Culebra Animals Board Member

Why do you support Walking Mountains Science Center?
The diversity of opportunities that we offer a daily walk in guest to our Summer campers and everyone in between is what inspires me about Walking Mountains

Nick Budor is currently the President at Wall Street Insurance in Edwards, CO. He was formerly VP and Associate General Counsel for Ciber, Inc. Rally Software Development and Orange Glo International and an Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Why do you support Walking Mountains Science Center? 

Our family first discovered Walking Mountains when our son and daughter were in pre-school. It was immediately a part of their love for our mountain community–so much so, that they started playing “Walking Mountains” at home. Since then, it has been an important part of our love for Eagle County and Colorado, not only as participants but also as part of our desire to give back to the community. We can’t imagine life here without Walking Mountains.

As an avid skier, hiker and biker, Alan believes in the importance of preserving our fragile mountain environment and the critical role that natural science education plays in achieving that goal. He is a passionate believer in the mission of Walking Mountains, and never misses an opportunity to “spread the gospel”.

Retired now and full time Eagle County Resident. Previously headed an institutional real estate investment company based in Chicago. Since I was child I have always had a passion for the outdoors.

Kelley and I support Walking Mountains because we believe in the mission and want to assist in spreading the good work to the people of Eagle County and beyond.

We believe that as we seek to understand the natural world we will discover our own connection to to a much vaster world beyond ourselves and by doing so develop a respect and appreciation for our sacred planet. The most important task at hand for Walking Mountains is instill in our youth an inquisitive curiosity for learning.

Jennifer Craig Geisman has lived in the Vail Valley for almost 10 years. Prior to moving to Avon, she lived in Los Angeles and New York. Jennifer’s public relations career began in New York City, where she worked at Michael Klepper Associates, a publicity firm representing the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). Her first project was organizing a press conference at the NYSBA’s annual meeting for attorney Barry Scheck to announce the DNA discovery during the OJ Simpson trial. Jennifer left Michael Klepper Associates and went to work for Dan Klores PR, where she represented national entertainment clients and TV shows including Thomas the Tank Engine, Howard Stern and Sally Jesse Raphael. In addition, she traveled with Peter, Paul & Mary for their Kent State University concert for the 25th Anniversary of the school’s shootings. In 1995, Jennifer opened her own boutique PR firm in New York City, which focused on consumer products (beauty & fashion), events, retail and press conferences. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2006, she worked from both coasts, with offices in each city. Jennifer transferred her agency to Avon, when she and her family moved in 2012. Jennifer has worked with the Vail Valley Foundation, specifically as the publicist for the Vail Dance Festival and was a freelance writer for the Vail Daily, Vail Lifestyle Magazine and EAT Magazine.

Jennifer lives in Avon with her husband Rick and has two daughters, Jane, a student at CU Boulder, and Hannah who is a student at Smith College. Their family will be welcoming a new puppy this fall, named Duke.

Why do you support Walking Mountains?

Walking Mountains has taught me how to forge a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment and how it is our responsibility as humans to recognize the importance and value of the land we live on. As someone who has spent most of my life living in cities, Walking Mountains has opened my eyes to ways of not only connecting with nature, but also how to help educate people in our community. Being an environmental steward begins with being kind to the ground we walk on.

Walking Mountains captured my heart from the very first hike, and I knew I wanted to be part of its mission. I’m continually inspired by the dedication Walking Mountains has to the Eagle Valley in fostering environmental awareness, and educating youth about their natural surroundings and empowering adults through sustainability education. I’m honored to play even a small role in this impactful organization.

We are all born with a natural curiosity about the world around us. Nurturing that curiosity in children and adults is key to our understanding and appreciation of our natural environment. My career in research and development has taught me the excitement of uncovering the secrets of science and nature, and I want to help others experience that same feeling through involvement with Walking Mountains.

I believe that nature has the power to heal people and help them develop a sense of place, belonging and connectedness. As an immigrant, developing a relationship with nature in the Vail Valley helped me in my healing journey and allowed me to develop deeper roots in my new home. I support Walking Mountain’s mission as I believe everyone in our community should get the opportunity to experience the gifts of nature.