JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance this week announced new staff and board members.
Board Officers
Kirk Davenport, board chair
Davenport, a former securities lawyer in New York City for 32 years, has been an enthusiastic member of the Jackson community and hardworking board member since he joined the Alliance in 2017.
Davenport joins vice chair Juliet Unfried, treasurer Maria Damon, and secretary Dave Sollitt as the 2020-21 board officers.
New Board Members
Beedee Ladd, board of directors & development committee chair
Ladd has been a part-time resident of the valley for 30 years and both of her children live here. She looks forward to understanding more about the planning and preservation of Teton County as she serves on the Alliance board. She’ll continue to have an apartment in Boston where Ladd has lived most of her life, but her primary residence and focus will be here in Teton County.
“I look forward to meeting more Alliance members and being part of the effort to maintain the wildlife protection and way of life here, as the community continues to grow,” Ladd says.
Mary Bess, board of directors
Bess was introduced to Jackson by her uncle and found herself the de facto general manager of a rafting company the summer of 2004. Two years ago, after 18 years in the river business, Bess retired from the river industry and took a position with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, working on marketing, content and product development. Just over a year ago, Mary and her family were fortunate enough to win the Jackson housing lottery and purchased an attainable unit in Melody Ranch.
Jim LaRoe, board of directors
Like many, LaRoe was first introduced to the Tetons and Yellowstone as a young kid on a family trip. Jim now proudly calls Jackson home. Three years ago, LaRoe walked into the Alliance office and asked how he could help.
Today, he serves on the board and, through his real estate experience, brings a deep understanding of the public process and how to navigate sensitive issues balancing the public’s needs with long term environmental and planning goals.
“The Alliance voice is badly needed in our community which is on the world stage but relies on local citizens to protect the ecosystem and culture for all. Although the challenges continue to grow, I am encouraged that the Conservation Alliance is having a growing positive impact on community decisions,” LaRoe says.
The influx of new blood replaces outgoing members. Previous board chair Tim O’Donoghue and board member Bruce Hawtin guided the Alliance for many years.
New Staff
Karyn Greenwood, development & marketing manager
With a background in wildlife guiding and a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, Greenwood has built her life and career around understanding and protecting natural places.
Greenwood attended the Alliance’s Conservation Leadership Institute. From that launching point, she has taken on a series of roles with the Alliance through the years, building on her skills as a leader, changemaker, and engaged citizen.
Chelsea Carson, conservation program manager
Carson holds a B.S. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University, a M.A. in Sociology from Idaho State University, is a Fulbright Research Grantee, has her permaculture design certificate, and a social justice, activism, and compassion leadership facilitator certification.
Carson is also a certified yoga teacher and an international and regional naturalist guide. She is currently an “Emerging Leader for Idaho’s Environment” and participates in the local Jackson Hole Womentum Mentoring program.
Stefano Daza Arango, development & marketing coordinator
Daza Arango was born in the Venezuelan Andes and migrated to Toronto, Canada as a refugee when he was six years old. As a young boy, he spent his summers camping the national parks of northern Ontario, where he first discovered his love of nature and wildlife.
Daza Arango graduated with a B.S. degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Business from the University of Rochester in 2018. Throughout his college career, he studied and worked for various organizations and reserves in some of the wildest places in the world including the Amazon Rainforest, Southern Africa, and the Galapagos Islands.
