​Suzanne Stephens

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Suzanne is a Roaring Fork Valley native whose career has been dedicated to land conservation. Before joining AVLT in 2003, she obtained a degree in biology from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and worked for valley nonprofits the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Roaring Fork Conservancy, and the Western Colorado Agricultural Heritage Fund. Suzanne succeeded Martha Cochran as executive director in 2016 after many inspiring years on staff as a project specialist grateful to spend her days visiting with ranchers out on the land and around their kitchen tables (and yes, behind a computer too). Suzanne lives in Carbondale with her husband, daughter, and two cats, and spends as much time as she can camping, hiking, roasting marshmellows, and enjoying the outdoors.
​Email Suzanne.

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Melissa Sumera

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Melissa graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where she studied digital imaging and design, and later worked as staff photographer. She moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1999 and has since honed her skills in accounting. She keeps her creative juices flowing by designing all the AVLT marketing materials, event posters and invites. Melissa joined AVLT in January 2006.
​Email Melissa.

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Dave Erickson

STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR
Dave was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and first moved to Colorado to attend Fort Lewis College in Durango. After completing his undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology, he worked for the Teton Regional Land Trust in Driggs, Idaho where he gained a deep appreciation for the important work land trusts do. He has also worked as a field biologist and natural resource specialist across the U.S. and in the East African country of Tanzania. He completed a master's degree in Wildlife Science at the University of Arizona and eventually found his way to the Roaring Fork Valley, where his wife grew up. Dave joined AVLT in January of 2015 and currently lives in Carbondale.
Email Dave.

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Erin Quinn

CONSERVATION DIRECTOR
Erin is a Colorado native and joined the staff of AVLT in May 2016. After completing graduate school at Colorado State University Erin was selected for a Conservation Trust Fellowship, joined Legacy Land Trust in Fort Collins then continuing on to join the Land Trust Alliance team in Washington, DC. Erin negotiates land protection projects while ensuring land owners’ intentions are upheld throughout the entire process and beyond. She enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, hiking and biking. Erin now lives in Carbondale with her husband and kiddos, Wyatt & Ruth.
Email Erin​.
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Jeff Davlyn

PHILANTHROPY DIRECTOR
​Jeff is a life-long outdoor enthusiast and conservationist raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who moved to Colorado in 2005. Before joining AVLT, Jeff studied natural resources law and agriculture policy while earning his law degree at the University of Denver. He is passionate about AVLT’s focus on protecting open spaces and dedication to building community. He lives in Carbondale with his wife and three little ones where they love small town living, getting outside, and the constant entertainment that comes along with parenting.
Email Jeff.
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Carly Bolliger

COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Carly was raised in Kansas City, Missouri and studied public communication at Truman State University before entering the nonprofit world through grant writing. She moved to Denver in 2017 and focused on nonprofit communications and marketing. Carly now lives in Carbondale with her partner and two dogs and is excited to help protect the beautiful spaces that drew her west.
Email Carly.

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Brian Hightower

EDUCATION COORDINATOR & RANCH MANAGER
​Brian Hightower coordinates educational programming and management of the Chapin Wright Marble Basecamp property. After teaching in Aspen for 12 years, Brian traded his indoor classroom for an outdoor one. His goal is to facilitate outdoor education opportunities for students and educators in the valley and beyond. Brian is convinced that direct contact with wilderness can cure many afflictions of modern youth, including, but not limited to: boredom, technology addiction, the inability to build fires, and substandard s’more construction. He lives in Carbondale with his two favorite explorers; wife, Emily and son, Oz.
Email Brian
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Bud Tymczyszyn

CONSERVATION EASEMENT SPECIALIST
Originally from a small mountain town in California, Bud has built a career dedicated to helping communities grow more sustainably and preserving special places. He earned his Master’s Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he also worked as a GIS analyst for the county. Before joining AVLT, Bud worked as a non-profit planning consultant helping communities across the Mountain West better manage their growth. Bud is passionate about open space and agriculture, and is especially excited to help conserve working and agricultural lands here in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys. When he's not in the office, you can often find Bud pulling weeds or running a tractor for his wife Sara, Director of Highwater Farm.
Email Bud


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​The pups
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OLYMPUS

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Melissa is assisted in her duties by Operations Assistant, Olympia. Oly joined the team in August 2015 and mostly provides office levity by trying to curl up in chairs that fit her as a puppy but she has long outgrown.
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Email Olympia
FINNLEY

STEWARDSHIP ASSISTANT

Dave is assisted in his duties by Stewardship Assistant, Finnley. Finn joined the team in April 2016 and mostly provides puppy breath and razor teeth.
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Email Finn​
MARTIN & KENNEDY

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
​Carly is supported by Communications Assistants Martin and Kennedy. Marty and Kenny are excellent personal trainers, keeping Carly busy hiking and backpacking, but mostly provide skilled begging for treats and squirrel protection.
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Email Martin & Kennedy
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MESA

​EASEMENT ASSISTANT

Bud is aided by Easement Assistant, Mesa. A tripod with double the love to give, Mesa's background is in advanced veggie-quality testing and napping on feet in the office.

Email Mesa
All of these pups love any opportunity to get out on conserved properties where dogs are allowed and are more than willing to give kisses and/or mouse hunting in trade.

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Your support makes an impact:

44,000
acres saved
103
miles of riverfront
10
public parks
​
7
​schools served

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