Meet our Staff
Becca Schild
Executive Director
rschild@rfov.org
(she/her)
Born and raised in Colorado, love for the outdoors and public lands is central to Becca's identity and lifestyle. Prior to joining RFOV, she applied her passion for the environment as an outdoor educator, sustainability practitioner, and college teacher with organizations like Fort Lewis College, Colorado College, CU Boulder, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and the High Mountain Institute. A graduate of Colorado College, Becca went on to receive a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and a PhD in Environmental Studies from CU Boulder. Her dissertation examined the role that volunteer stewardship organizations – such as RFOV – play in land management and environmental citizenship. Becca is energized and inspired to work directly in the field of community stewardship at RFOV and apply her previous experience to making a big impact on her community and home. When not at work, you’ll find Becca out rock climbing, trail running, or exploring nature with her daughter Aven and son Cedar.
Ben Sherman
Education Director
bsherman@rfov.org
(he/him)
Ben has been with RFOV since January of 2019. He joined the team as an educator and became RFOV's Education Director in 2020. Ben oversees educational programming for youth and the wider community, from Spruce Up Your School to the year-round Youth in Nature program.
With experience working for Outward Bound, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Ben enjoys bringing his passion for outdoor education to audiences from Parachute to Aspen.
He unwinds by skiing, climbing, and hiking - unhurriedly enough to ID birds, wildflowers, and more. A midwestern transplant to the Roaring Fork Valley, Ben moved from Minnesota in 2017, trading 10,000 lakes for high alpine lakes.
Jack Douglas
Program Director
jdouglas@rfov.org
(he/him)
Jack’s desire to preserve, protect and enhance access to Colorado’s incredible wild spaces and public lands drove him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy from Colorado College and a master’s degree in Natural Resource Stewardship from Colorado State University. These same desires brought Jack to RFOV as a seasonal Field Coordinator in 2021, where he has worked in various roles ever since.
As Program Director with RFOV, Jack is thrilled to put his natural resource education and experience into practice alongside RFOV’s dedicated volunteers–working to build a place-based community stewardship ethic and a sense of shared responsibility for the natural systems that support and enrich the livelihoods and adventure-pursuits of our mountain community.
When not working with RFOV, you can find Jack exploring the natural areas he loves by ski, boat and foot and playing and recording music with his band Tommy the Animal.
Kelsey Brasseur
Development Director
kbrasseur@rfov.org
(she/her)
Kelsey’s love for the outdoors has been fueled since childhood by a deep curiosity about the natural world, its diverse ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them. After graduating from Northland College in 2009 with a degree in biology, Kelsey worked on many cooperative research projects focused on the conservation of species, landscapes and natural resources; including Kittlitz’s murrelets in Glacier Bay, Alaska, Wolverines in northern Idaho and Washington, water quality in Lake Pend Oreille and microplastics dispersion in Montana’s Gallatin/Big Sky region.
Kelsey gradually transitioned from botany and wildlife studies into designing and managing citizen science projects. Eventually this work led her to nonprofit development and fundraising as she began to help organizations sustain these projects long-term. With more than a decade of experience supporting community-based conservation and stewardship efforts, Kelsey is thrilled to apply her skills and expertise with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.
Kelsey is an avid trail runner, climber and naturalist with a passion for exploration. When not in the office, you can find Kelsey out on trail with her dog, Donny, or climbing in Rifle Mountain Park with her husband, Daniel.
Claire Woodward
Program Coordinator
cwoodward@rfov.org
(she/her)
Claire is super excited to engage volunteers in Group and Adopt-a-Trail projects this season with RFOV as the Program Coordinator! Claire grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy from Western Washington University.
Claire has dedicated her career to working in non-profit organizations doing conservation work and environmental education. Throughout her career, Claire has taught students about salmon and freshwater habitat, led groups of volunteers to do butterfly research in the Manu National Park in Peru, and has done watershed and climate education while living on her bicycle.
Claire is furthering her knowledge by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Stewardship with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her dog Oso, paint with watercolors, play soccer, ride bikes, wander in the desert, and water her plants.
Sophie Ahava
Marketing and Communications Manager
sahava@rfov.org
(she/her)
Sophie joined RFOV in June 2023 and quickly fell in love with the mission and work of RFOV. She is passionate about connecting with the outdoors and enjoys sharing stories and photos while doing it.
Sophie grew up in Rhode Island and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington in marketing and sociology. Sophie brings valuable experience in digital marketing, non-profit fundraising, and volunteer/donor outreach gained from an internship with Plan International USA. She also has success in building outdoor curriculums and programs for youth, gained during her time as a preschool teacher in Creede, CO.
In her free time, Sophie enjoys traveling, hiking, snowshoeing, photography, and coaching youth sports.
Carly Valerious
Youth Education Program Coordinator
cvalerious@rfov.org
(she/her)
With a drive for adventure, connecting with the natural world and the people who inhabit it, Carly graduated with a degree in environmental science from Colorado College. During college, Carly worked in sustainable food systems, implementing measures to localize food for the college’s cafes.
She also worked as a farmhand in Salt Lake City at two community supported agriculture (CSA) operations. Carly first began working with students as an outdoor educator for high schoolers in Valdez, AK.
When not at work, you can find Carly on her bike, running in the woods, drawing, and snowboarding/splitboarding with her friends.
Seasonal Staff 2024
Kate McWilliams
Field Coordinator
kmcwilliams@rfov.org
Originally from a tundra town in Alaska, Kate now loves exploring the magic of the mountains! She has worked on a trail crew and as wilderness ranger in south central Alaska and in front country recreation on the White River National Forest in Colorado. Kate feels passionate about being a steward of the land and helping others feel welcome to connect as well. Off-trail, Kate loves gardening, crafting, and sharing food with friends!
Joe Acampora
Field Coordinator
jacampora@rfov.org
Joe comes to RFOV with experience in the fields of environmental and recreation management, wildlife biology, and science education. Joe grew up in Connecticut and has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, and Masters in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University. Joe has managed geographic information systems, led volunteer outdoor crews in the Everglades, and coordinated a mountain lion population survey in Northern California. In his free time, Joe enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, and chopping wood.
Cal Mittag
Trail Crew Leader
cmittag@rfov.org
(he/him)
Originally from Wisconsin, Cal moved to Colorado for the mountain scenery and fantastic recreation opportunities. He has a background in renewable energy, trail work, and has a strong passion for environmental protection.
Cal is fresh off of a season working on a prescribed burn crew, and is excited for the opportunity to share his knowledge, learn from, and grow with the folks at RFOV.
Cam Farwell
Trail Crew Member
cfarwell@rfov.org
(he/him)
Originally from coastal Massachusetts, Cam has always had an inner drive to connect with and protect the natural world. After receiving a B.S in Sustainable Food Systems he spent the last 5 years working on various regenerative farming projects across the northeast. Cam was drawn to RFOV by a desire to give back to the trail systems that have given him so much joy and adventure throughout his life. In his free time, you can find Cam skiing, snowboarding, trail running, or hangin’ by the river.
Corbin Faidley
Trail Crew Member
cfaidley@rfov.org
From Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Corbin studied computer science at Coe College, but always found himself wanting to return to his love of nature.
Corbin recently was on a backcountry trail crew in Maine this fall and on a wild land fire crew in North Carolina during the Winter and Spring seasons. He is excited for his next adventure with RFOV.
Nic Otte
Trail Crew Member
notte@rfov.org
Originally from San Diego, CA, Nic has lived and worked throughout Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. Nic has previously worked for a conservation corp, learning skills ranging from trail construction to fuels reduction.
In his free time, you can find Nic backpacking, trail running, rock climbing, and snowboarding.
RFOV Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are committed professionals devoted to preserving public lands.
Jonathan Feldman
Chair
Assistant VP
Alpine Bank
Aspen
Steve Kreidler
Vice Chair
Chief Business Officer
Colorado School of Mines Foundation
Denver
Randy Gold
Board Member
The Aspen Appraisal Group
Aspen
Christina Provenzano
Board Member
Director of Human Resources
High Q Akta and HAVA
Carbondale
Tory Thomas
Board Member
Broker Associate
Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty
Aspen
Ted Zislis
Board Member
COL US Army, retired
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist, retired
Carbondale
James Heelan
Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant, PC
Basalt
Rebecca Polan
Secretary
Mountain Travel Expert
Ski.com
Aspen
Phil Armstrong
Board Member
Manager, Power Supply
Holy Cross Energy
Carbondale
Susan Graves
Board Member
Licensed Professional Counselor
Maroon Bells Counseling
Redstone
Ashley Meyers
Board Member
Manager
Beyul Retreat
Carbondale, CO
Will Fisher
Board Member
Supply Priest
Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
Sales Associate and Gait Specialist Independence Run and Hike
Carbondale