Meet the dedicated team at Eagle Valley Land Trust.

Tom has lived in Gypsum since 1995. He is a member of the Gypsum Town Council and has served on the United Way Board of Directors, the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Gypsum Recreation Committee.  Tom currently serves on the Eagle County Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC), the Eagle County Economic Council, the Gypsum Daze Committee (where he is responsible for the annual 5K run and walk) and continues to serve as a Community Guest Services (CGS) volunteer which he has done for 16 years.

Dan Godec joined the board in 2006. Dan moved to the Vail area in 1989. He has held numerous positions in banking and is a past president of the Colorado Bankers Association. Dan currently is President of GreenStar Financial Services. In addition to his service to EVLT, he is an active board member in several other Vail Valley nonprofit organizations, including Bravo! Vail, and Berry Creek Metropolitan District.
Dan is passionate about the great outdoors and protecting the quality of life in Eagle County. Dan and his wife, Sue, live in Singletree and have raised four children in the valley.

Christina has lived here in the valley for 25 years. She first worked as a ski instructor, fell in love with the Vail Valley and quickly decided to make it her permanent home. She feels strongly that land conservation is critical to our community and that the preservation of our beautiful natural environment is a cornerstone value of the community. Now, more than ever, it is vital to preserve land for future generations, the protection of wildlife, clean water, open space and river access. She lives in Edwards with her husband Josh, and two children, Hannah & Sam.

Scot Hunn is the principal and owner of Hunn Planning & Policy, LLC, a land use consultancy based in Edwards, Colorado. His career spans 25-years of public and private sector work in Eagle County and he regularly volunteers in his community, provides pro-bono services for non-profit organizations, has served as an appointed and elected official in the Town of Eagle, and currently serves as a charter member on the Eagle County Housing Task Force.

Like so many, Scot owes his love and understanding of the outdoors to people who showed him the way – his parents, older siblings, teachers, mentors and friends – and who gave him reasons and the freedom to get outside and explore. Growing up in farm country just outside Madison, Wisconsin, Scot had the best of both worlds – a rural lifestyle surrounded by forests, rivers, marshland and farm fields in which to get lost and get into trouble, along with the allure provided by the capital city of Madison. Being outdoors was never in question for Scot, and most family vacations and getaways centered on outdoor recreation in Wisconsin and Colorado.

Scot attended the University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point where he earned a degree in Natural Resource Management and Land Use Planning. His favorite coursework centered on conservation, resource economics and growth management; his tattered copy of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac remains his go-to source of perspective and inspiration.

Following college, Scot came to Eagle County to start his planning career at Eagle County Government in 1997. He went on to work for several years at Vail Resorts Development Company at a time when master planned communities like Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch, and Red Sky Ranch were being developed. He later made his way back to Eagle County Government to refocus his career on public service and land use planning. Scot’s values and land use philosophy – directing density inward, building upon and protecting local assets and strengths, and promoting redevelopment as primary means toward preserving our natural environment – have been shaped by the growth pressures that continue to shape rural resort communities in the Intermountain West.

In 2016, Scot earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Colorado – Denver. Scot is a member of the American Planning Association and is certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Scot’s world centers around his wife, Jaime Walker, their son, Conor, and one spoiled English Springer Spaniel named Bode. They reside in Edwards, Colorado. Whether walking, biking, hiking, skiing, playing or gardening, family free time and daily recreation is typically an outdoor affair. Scot is passionate about natural resource protection, combatting and adapting to climate change, and promoting continued coordination between jurisdictions in Eagle County toward a more sustainable, resilient future.

Claude Pupkin was born in Santiago, Chile and moved to the United States at the age of nine.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, Collage Park in 1984, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and went on to earn his CPA and work at Ernst & Young as an auditor. In 1986, he was admitted to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for a joint MBA/MA degree program where he focused on Finance and learned Portuguese. Upon graduation, Mr. Pupkin launched a career in Investment Banking focused on Latin America working for firms such as Citibank, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase.  In 2003, Mr. Pupkin joined IDT Corporation in January 2003 where he held several roles including serving as Executive Vice President of Finance & Corporate Development and as CEO of Genie Energy Ltd., a NYSE-listed company which was spun-off from IDT Corporation.  In 2016, Claude retired from IDT Corporation and became an independent consultant and Director for private equity and other investors.

Claude & his wife Laurie moved to Denver in 2015 and full-time to Avon in 2020. Since moving to Colorado and embracing an active outdoor lifestyle, the Pupkins have become more aware of environmental issues and climate change, the importance of tourism to the State of Colorado and the mountain communities and development’s impact on nature. This new lifestyle and time spent out west contributed to Claude’s passion towards nature, conservation and the importance of doing everything they can to save the planet.

In addition to EVLT, Claude also serves on the Board of the Holy Cross Energy Roundup Foundation.

Dani Neumann is a regional Land Use Specialist for Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) and represents wildlife in her role with EVLT.  She consults on development impacts to wildlife and fisheries, assists with designing wildlife mitigation and management plans, consults on recreation development on the West Slope, and collaborates with stakeholders on long-term community strategies to balance growth and conservation. Dani holds a B.A. in Wildlife Biology from Prescott College and began her CPW career in the fisheries section. She owns a small farm with her husband on Salt Creek Road and spends her free time horseback riding, hiking, traveling, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Todd grew up in Wisconsin and enjoyed spending summers at the family cottage exploring the water, forests and fields. After 10-years in Minneapolis studying Architecture and working at some local firms, Todd moved to the Vail Valley in 2003. Now, a partner in a local architecture firm, Todd loves the design process involved with designing homes for people as it involves extensive problem-solving: trying to bring together many different expectations into one cohesive building: a home that works for the family, looks good and is built within budget and time frame. Todd is also the administrator for the EagleVail Design Review Committee which reviews proposed changes to homes in that community. Outside of architecture, Todd enjoys Colorado’s blue-sky days by going up and down hills with his skis, following a paved or dirt route on his mountain or road bikes or running the local trails. Todd joined the EVLT Board in 2020. 

Ann was raised in northern Illinois and enjoyed a tradition of family vacations in Vail, CO.  What began as winter ski trips expanded to summer adventures and exploration of land, climate, and history in the Rocky Mountain West.  She relocated from Chicago to Vail in 1995 to practice architecture.  A steward for energy conservation and environmental design, she strives to create enduring architecture belonging to its site.  She is engaged in the community sharing her professional experience, addressing sustainability issues, and reviewing standards of architecture and construction, and currently sits on Cordillera and Mountain Star design review boards.  An advisory board member and volunteer for the Truckee Donner Land Trust 2017-2020, she created awareness to preserve and manage land for recreation.  Ann is passionate about the environment, watershed, wildlife, and land and takes responsibility to preserve its rich history and awesome beauty.  Ann and her husband live in Edwards and enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.

Melissa is an adventurer, mom, wife, public servant and lover of nature. Her professional background includes degrees in parks and recreation and law. She has worked in local government for over a decade and the nonprofit sector, specifically land conservation, for four years. She currently serves as the Assistant Town Manager for Eagle. Prior to that she was the inaugural Executive Director for Keep It Colorado, the statewide coalition for land trusts and conservation organizations. There she focused heavily on land conservation policy and advocacy as well as partnership and coalition building. She, her husband and son moved to the Eagle Valley in 2022 when her husband took a position as the CEO at Eagle County Paramedic Services. Melissa immediately knew how special this place is. She has refocused her professional and personal skills to invest in this community. While she took a new position back in local government earlier this year, she remains dedicated to conservation and the protection of our lands, waters and wildlife for the future. She is eager to put that passion to work with EVLT. Melissa doesn’t believe connecting with the outdoors should be left to our “spare time”, she believes it should be a regular part of our daily lives. Some of her favorite ways to connect are trail running, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, skiing and backyard birdwatching.

Steve practiced land development and real estate law in Fort Lauderdale and worked on land use, zoning, permitting and transactional matters for some of the largest and most complex developments in the State of Florida.   Steve started coming to Colorado on a regular basis in early 1998 when he and his wife, Jackie, honeymooned in Breckenridge.  Steve and Jackie immediately fell in love with Colorado and in 2004 purchased a lot in Eagle Ranch with the dream of eventually retiring in Eagle.  Their plans accelerated upon the construction of their home in 2011 and they made Eagle their full-time home in 2020.  Steve and Jackie love to hike, bike, paddle on the river and anything else that gets them outdoors.  Steve just discovered fly fishing and is now “hooked”.  Steve and Jackie have a son and daughter and one granddaughter.

Steve has spent the last year attending EVLT Stewardship Committee meetings and participated in several site visits.  During this last year, Steve came to realize the importance of the Trust’s mission.  In the last 20 years, Steve has witnessed how development pressures in Eagle have resulted in dwindling elk herds.  As he transitions from full time work, Steve intends to concentrate on conservation and community matters to enhance the quality of life for humans and the wildlife that inhabit this region.

Susan grew up in Pennsylvania with a love of all things outdoors. Seeking adventure and mountains bigger than molehills, she headed west to the University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a B.A. in Biology. Susan began her ski industry career over 30 years ago as ski instructor while still in high school. She is the former Director of Resort Finance for Vail Resorts. In her spare time, Susan loves to ski, hike, bike and camp, and enjoys sailing, paddling and any activity that gets her on the water. She also volunteers for the Vail Valley Foundation and Dillon Yacht Club. She lives with her husband, Greg, in Wildridge.

Andrew provides financial leadership to small and medium-sized organizations. He is a Director with the firm CFO Systems | CFO Capital – a dynamic team of Accounting, Finance, Capital, and H.R. professionals – which serves all types of organizations in a “Fractional” capacity. When not helping his clients achieve their goals, Andy spends as much time as possible in the great outdoors with his wife Lindsey and dog Atlas. You can regularly find him in the backcountry on skis, on a mountain bike, on the river, or on a mountain top. As you can imagine, Andy is passionate about many causes associated with protecting, conserving, and responsibly using our magnificent planet. Larson is also a founding member of the Eagle County Advisory Board of Junior Achievement (educating students on personal finance), volunteers time with the Finance Committee of the Eagle-Vail Metro District Board (government), and is a member of the Edwards Rotary Club (philanthropic). Andy grew up primarily in Nebraska before moving home to the High Rockies. He holds a B.S. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in both Finance and Accounting and then went on to earn an M.B.A. from Creighton University with a concentration in Finance while cutting his teeth at the Big 4 accounting firm KPMG, LLP. After managing numerous audits of for-profit, non-profit, governmental, and Fortune 500 organizations for nearly 10 years, he now shares best practices with organizations seeking to get to the next level.

Heidi currently serves at the District Attorney for Colorado’s 5th Judicial District. She was elected in November 2020, and is the first woman to ever hold this position. She manages a staff of 38 employees in four counties; Eagle, Lake, Summit, and Clear Creek, and oversees the prosecution of state criminal cases, adult and juvenile diversion programs, victim support programs and immigrant assistance programs.

In her role as District Attorney, Heidi sits on several boards including a Gubernatorial appointment as the DA representative for the State Child Fatality Prevention Team. She is also a voting member in two of Colorado’s Opioid Abatement Settlement Councils. Locally, her board work includes the Law Enforcement Immigrant Advisory Committee, and the 5th Judicial District Problem-Solving Courts Advisory Board. Her work on all of these requires collaboration with private companies, non-profit organizations and local, state, and federal government agencies.

Heidi is a Colorado native who grew up in Eagle. She graduated from Mesa State College, n/k/a Colorado Mesa University in 1992, and attended law school at Chapman University in Orange County, California. After graduating, she immediately moved back to Colorado to return to her roots in the mountains and has been a licensed attorney in Colorado since 2000. Her professional career includes private law practice, having been a small business owner, and working in public service.

Heidi has an abiding love for Colorado’s recreational activities. You can find her on the weekends enjoying kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, dirt biking and spending time with her family … and her dog, Marble.

A 3rd generation Vail, Colorado native, Trey has a diverse background rooted in ranching and outdoor recreation. A TCU Ranch Management alumnus, previous manager of several large Colorado cattle ranches, and a licensed ranch broker and ranch consultant. Accompanying his agricultural experience, Trey is the owner of Capra Guides, a full service big game outfitting business operating hunts on nearly ½ million acres of private sporting ranches in Colorado and Montana. His unique intersection of western aptitude lends clarity to habitat and stewardship projects on Western landscapes, and brings a practical hands on skill set to land management. He understands from experience what it takes to employ conservation-minded management practices, maintain healthy wildlife populations and maintain long-term productive habitats for generations to come.

Throughout his years in the Vail Valley, Trey has witnessed dramatic change and development and recognizes the critical need for land stewardship, conservation, and preservation. Eagle County wildlife, and specifically bighorn sheep conservation are a passion of his, and one that he shares with his wife Gaby and their two children where they live in Edwards. Trey is a contributing member of multiple wildlife conservation organizations:

• Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society
• Life Member Wild Sheep Foundation
• Life Member Vail Bighorn Sheep Initiative
• Creator Colorado Bighorn Sheep Access Program
• Outfitter/Guide Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable
• Member Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Member HOWL for Wildlife
• Initiative colaborator Colorado Parks & Wildlife
• Hunter Education Instructor

Brittany joined EVLT in April 2019. Prior to her current role, she worked as a naturalist, guide, educator and mentor from Alaska to Colorado. She is originally from central Massachusetts and holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Vermont. When not in the office, Brittany enjoys spending her time playing outdoors, gushing over wildflowers, skiing trees, and mountain biking with friends.

Katrina’s passion for the outdoors motivates her to inspire others to experience these spaces. Working at Eagle Valley Land Trust, she enjoys engaging with her community and helping uphold the organization’s mission of protecting the land.

She has a background in both non-profit and the outdoor industries. In her role at Eagle Valley Land Trust, she implements and sustains a fundraising plan to support the organization’s conservation efforts.

Katrina lives in Eagle, Colorado. In the summer you’ll catch her on the trails where she runs and hikes, or on the golf course as she tries to improve her short game. In the winter she links ski turns with a smile on her face.

Jessica became Executive Director in 2020 after a four-year tenure as EVLT’s stewardship and outreach manager. Jessica oversees a talented team to achieve strategic financial, land protection, land stewardship, and community conservation results. Previously, Jessica worked for conservation organizations including American Rivers and Walking Mountains Science Center. She also has professional trail crew training and was also lead horticulturist for Red Sky Ranch Golf Course. She holds an MS in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University and a BS in Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech. When Jessica was considering the position she wrote “I am excited for an opportunity to support the work of such a valuable organization in Eagle County. As Eagle County plans for the future, it is very important to have organizations protecting our natural resources and way of life.” We are thrilled to have her expertise and excited to have her as part of our great team.

Jessica lives in Edwards with her husband and enjoys the wonder and beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Eagle County. She is likely to be seen walking to work, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, floating down the Colorado River or enjoying live music outside in the summer.

Keri grew up in the Arizona desert and spent summers with her extended family in Hawaii. An AmeriCorps alumnus and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, she has a passion for service and connecting with the community. She has coordinated a wide variety of programs, including environmental education camps for youth and health and wellness classes for adults. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Conservation Biology and Ecology. Keri enjoys hiking, cooking, exploring with her dog Buddy, and playing acoustic guitar. She is thrilled to be a part of the EVLT team and help connect people to the amazing landscapes of Eagle County.

Sue has lived in Eagle for 13 years with her husband, Markian Feduschak, and their 2 daughters.  She worked for the Colorado Outward Bound School for 25 years as a field instructor, Program Director and Director of Client Services. She has also been involved in the ski industry in Colorado for 34 years.  She currently works part-time as a patroller at Beaver Creek, and previously worked at Copper Mountain on patrol, and at Eldora Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Ski Area as the Director of the Ski Patrol.

Growing up in Wisconsin in Aldo Leopold (conservationist and author of A Sand County Almanac) country, Nikolai was raised to appreciate, explore and protect the rural areas and forests by her parents.  They spent a great deal of time hiking, cross country and alpine skiing, camping, caving, tubing down rivers and boating on lakes in their homemade houseboat.

After moving to Colorado, Nikolai spent as much time outside as possible exploring her new state by hiking, alpine and backcountry skiing, rafting, mountain biking and trail running.

She has devoted her life to appreciating and helping protect the natural areas through her support of environmental causes. Nikolai teaches students the same using a Leave No Trace methodology. Her passion is passed onto students that follow her lead in cherishing our wild places, volunteering for various causes and embracing an outdoor lifestyle.

Nikolai is excited to meet with local business owners to discuss in more detail the Land & Rivers Fund.  The amazing natural beauty in our valley, the recreational opportunities and the diversity of wildlife is the driving force behind the tourism industry, and the reason our many visitors and locals love being here.  She is confident that businesses will be excited to help protect and preserve our natural landscape with the 1% surcharge.

To speak with Nikolai about the Land & Rivers Fund, please contact her at sue@landandrivers.org or at 970-343-4245.

Bergen is a West Vail native and is incredibly happy to be back in the Valley. After leaving the area in 2010, he studied Environmental Science, Ecology, and Biodiversity at the University of Denver, worked with the Glacier Institute in Glacier National Park, Montana, and Recently completed his Conservation Leadership Master’s degree at Colorado State University. During his time at CSU, he worked with the Geography and Evolution of Land Tenure Systems (GELTS) research group and completed his capstone project in Pirque, Chile, with the Andean Conservancy, both of which have guided his passion to work in private land conservation. In his free time, Bergen loves experiencing the mountains in as many different ways as possible – ski touring, trail running, mountain biking, fly fishing, and cooking over a campfire with his friends.