Meet our Board of Directors
Jon LaDuke Board President |
Bio Coming Soon!
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Melody Marks Board Treasurer |
I’m Melody Marks, retired CPA and County Treasurer. I moved to the Gunnison Valley in 1977 and raised my family here. I graduated from Western with a major in accounting and minor in computer science. I love this country for all the open space it provides and the amazing people that live here. My hobbies have included skiing, horseback riding, scuba, and I love camping and hiking. I’m grateful to be able to work with the passionate people involved at Coldharbour Institute and play a small part as Treasurer of the Board in the support of its mission of education and demonstration of restorative living practices.
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Richard Strömberg board Member |
Rich Stromberg first became intrigued with off-grid living when a subversive classmate brought a copy of The Whole Earth Catalog to elementary school. Turns out that sustainability living wasn't just for hippies and those folks don't mind sharing what they've learned. Rich acquired his first solar panel (a Sharp 80-watt module) in 2005 and has been living off-grid since then - first on a small ranch on the east side of the Sangre de Cristos, then at an old homestead in southcentral Alaska and now back at the Colorado ranch. After a two-decade career in the semiconductor industry, Rich worked at the Alaska Energy Authority running the state's solar and wind energy programs.
He collects college degrees and certificates like a numismatist collects coins. These include a BA, BS, numerous fire and medical certifications and MEM. His current doctoral studies are focused on the reuse of solar photovoltaic systems for social and ecological benefit which is based on his work as a co- founder of the Equitable Solar Solutions™ program at Coldharbour Institute. He is currently employed and sponsored by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he gets to play in the realm of Food-Energy-Water-Waste. In his "spare" time, he works on ecosystem restoration at his ranch and delights in being a novice hop farmer. |
Brett Guarerro Board Member |
Brett Guarrero has been working in the energy industry for over 20 years. He owns BPG Consulting, an interdisciplinary engineering and consulting firm specializing in energy system assessments, design and project management. Founded in 2004, BPG houses a team of engineering and design experts who apply building physics, systems design and an awareness of sustainability to assist clients to design, construct and operate more durable, healthier and energy efficient operating systems and structures.
In addition to operating BPG, Brett, along with his wife Mary Jo, own Enzo USA, Inc., an energy system supply company offering custom thermal management products to industrial markets, energy producers, power companies, municipalities, mining companies, airports and institutions. Brett is certified in geothermal heat pump technology through Oklahoma State University; has received his green building certificate through Colorado State University; is active in the USGBC LEED community; holds bachelor degrees in Engineering, Marketing and Finance from Southern Illinois University; and received a Masters of Science degree in Organizational Leadership at Regis University in Denver. |
Salif Mahamane Board Member |
Salif is a psychology professor at Western Colorado University with a Ph.D. in environmental psychology and cognitive science. In this realm, his interests are how natural versus human-built environments restore attention and reduce stress, and how individuals perceive and experience environments differently. More generally, he also believes that by fostering human knowledge of, and connection to, their environment, we can grow awareness and concern about environmental problems that would result in greater action to address them. He is also an outspoken advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), and for more public awareness of the neurodivergent community and the specific challenges they face. Further, Salif is an avid hunter, fly angler, and explorer. He loves the Gunnison Valley and the rich opportunities it provides people from all walks of life.
At Coldharbour, given these interests, Salif serves on the education committee to help steer efforts to bring outdoor educational opportunities about naturalism and regenerative living to youth and adults. He wants to continue growing Coldharbour as a venue for fostering enthusiasm for nature, and passion for environmentalism and justice, through experiential education. “Ultimately, I’d like to be able to invite youth and families, from backgrounds facing significant barriers to accessing the natural world, to Coldharbour to learn about and connect with nature and regenerative living at no cost to them.” |
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Photo Coming Soon!
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Chris Nutgrass first learned about Coldharbour Institute while completing his Master’s in Environmental Management at Western Colorado University. He was drawn to the organization for its unique mission of using place and community to create a more sustainable, resilient, and, regenerative world. He is passionate about local government and local organizations creating positive change for our community.
Chris works as an appraiser in the Gunnison County Assessor’s Office where he focuses on Rural and Agricultural Valuation. Prior to his work in the Assessor’s Office, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, West Africa focusing on food security and agroforestry. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Anthropology and International Affairs and a Master’s in Environmental Management. Chris is excited to be a part of Coldharbour Institute and can’t wait to help create a more regenerative community in Gunnison and beyond. |
Rois Langner Board member |
Rois Langner is a Senior Research Engineer in the Communities and Urban Science Research Group, under the Building Technologies and Science Center, at NREL. She currently works remotely for NREL from Gunnison, Colorado. Her work at NREL, starting in 2010, has focused on methods to achieve ultra-high efficiency and low-carbon targets, cost-effectively in commercial buildings for zero energy performance and optimized building design and operation for load flexibility and grid coordination. Rois is passionate about creatively solving problems that can positively shape our environment. This has manifested through her work with the built environment to combat climate change, and extends to personal and community relationships where her core values are rooted in bringing dignified respect and equitable opportunity to individuals, and sharing knowledge to strengthen and advance community goals. She is often found mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and is excited to be a recent addition to the Coldharbour Institute Board of Directors.
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Gloria Montgomery Board Member |
Gloria Montgomery is a humble leader who believes in lifelong learning and personal growth. She is a proud graduate of Winthrop University equipped to lead positive change in organizations and within the community. This bio is a highlight of her rich and varied work experience, which spans over 40 years.
Gloria was employed with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services for 20 years, where she worked with states and tribes monitoring the implementation of federal regulations Titles IV-B and IV-E for state and tribal child welfare programs, ensuring the safety permanency and well-being of children, and strengthening and improving the lives of children and families. Gloria has direct experience working with vulnerable populations through her work at the Denver Department of Human Services as a Youth Supervisor, Sex Abuse Therapist, Family Group Conferencing Specialist, Intake Specialist, and Ongoing Services Caseworker. In addition, she also worked in numerous positions in community educational and government and church organizations. Gloria was an English/Reading Instructor at Community College of Denver and Metropolitan State University. Gloria worked as a Community Outreach Organizer for the Denver Health and Hospitals, organizing residents in the Montebello and Green Valley Ranch communities around health awareness, preventing hypertension and heart disease. She also organized an advocacy group to promote support and acquire funding for building a new recreation center that would accommodate the growing populations of both communities to achieve health and wellness in these communities. Gloria’s principle belief is that children are our greatest resource that will walk where we have walked and carry on the work we have begun. Therefore, everything we do should be to protect our children and teach them to become the keepers of what we have started. Gloria believes in the African Proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” and has the vision to help build a world where children are valued and have strong families and communities to love and support them and provide the resources they need to be healthy and successful to the fullest extent. Gloria continued her community organizing work as she joined with concerned parents at her children’s school and concerned community members to work to shut down dangerous drug-infested housing across the street from her children’s school. This work accomplished the goal of shutting down the drug infested housing and the founding of the first public Montessori Early Child Development Education Pre-School Center in Denver called Family Star Early Childhood Child Development Center (0-3). This school brought free (0-3) Montessori early childhood education to children in the community and trained and employed parents and community members to become Montessori teachers and teacher aides. Gloria is committed to cultivating a culture of equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion. This commitment is woven into her core values, and she believes that we are strongest when we embrace and celebrate our differences, equality, justice, inclusion, and fairness for all. When we value diverse experiences and perspectives and protect all human rights, we can improve lives and improve and empower communities. Gloria currently serves as President of Coterie, an African American Women’s Research Group that has served the Colorado community for over 100 years and on the Board of Directors on Sister-to-Sister International Network of African American Women, Inc. Gloria has received numerous awards, certificates of appreciation, and certificates for expanding her knowledge and expertise. She is an RHIEL (Regional Institute of Health and Environmental Leadership) Fellow and has served in leadership and discipleship in her church in programs for women and mentoring youth. Gloria has a passion for helping others and believes if she can help someone, her living will not be in vain. |
