A Cleveland native, Annie began her career in environmental education teaching about native Ohio wildlife before majoring in Biopsychology and Environmental Science at Tufts University. She developed a passion for connecting people to the natural world and promoting active stewardship through community outreach and outdoor education experience across multiple states. Annie first joined CCA in 2020, serving as the AmeriCorps VISTA in Montrose for a year. Before returning to CCA, she facilitated social-emotional learning curriculum and outdoor programming with at-risk youth in the local community. After a long day in the field, Annie loves coming home to her cat, Tofu. She also enjoys reading, climbing, hiking, and cooking elaborate meals with friends.

A teacher by trade, Lisa grew up in Pennsylvania but fell in love with Colorado when she worked at an adventure summer camp backpacking through the Collegiate Peaks with middle schoolers. Passionate about the outdoors, she dreamed of living out west, eventually taking a job as a middle and high school music teacher in Olathe. As someone who loves whitewater, it only made sense for Lisa to pair her teaching career with river guiding in the summers. After seven years in education, Lisa fell into guiding full time where she has spent the past few years working in both Western Colorado and Costa Rica managing logistics, helping train young guides, and advocating for a Costa Rican national river guide standard. She loves sharing rivers with people of all ages, especially youth, and has loved learning more about sustainable tourism and river law.

Morgan grew up in the Midwest, and after seeing her first mountain at age 19, she knew she belonged out West. After “retiring” from her career as a flight attendant of 5 years, she completed her BA in Anthropology with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability. She and her husband recently moved to the Western Slope from Arizona in 2020 and are enthusiastic rock climbers, boaters, and adventurers. You can also find Morgan helping organize collaborative projects with West Slope Outdoor Volunteers: A Reginal Stewardship Collaborative. She is excited to be part of the team here at CCA and share her passion for stewardship, conservation, and learning with residents and visitors alike, to these three beautiful National Conservation Areas we are so lucky to have in our backyard!

Rachael completed her BA in Sustainability Studies in 2022 after living most of her life in the Roaring Fork Valley. She spent a few summers maintaining a network of soil moisture monitoring stations which solidified her passion for field work and climate research. She moved to Grand Junction with her husband in 2022, primarily for the underappreciated bouldering in Unaweep canyon, as well as the tightly knit community. Rachael loves connecting with people across cultural and generational divides, especially over topics such as the health of our backyard ecosystems, living intentionally, and showing up as good neighbors and earth stewards in unsettled times.

Jeremy grew up right here in the valley in Fruita. After high school, he earned a bachelor's degree in art and minored in outdoor studies while playing division II lacrosse at Young Harris College in north Georgia. His time away from the west grew his appreciation and care for the area. After graduating college, Jeremy began his pursuit of environmental education at Eureka! Science Museum as an environmental instructor. This experience created a new spark and has inspired him to continue engaging with local youth in the outdoors through experiential learning. Whether he is hiking, fly fishing, or just sitting outside, Jeremy continues to build his relationship with the natural world to better facilitate positive experiences for those around him. Jeremy is eager to form meaningful connections with his community through shared experiences in the outdoors, and to spread stewardship and understanding of our beautiful natural areas.

Joe originally hales from Flint, Michigan but has called Fruita, Colorado home for the past two years. He and his wife Noelle were drawn to the Grand Valley after attending a mountain biking camp in Fruita in 2021, after which they vowed to move to the area if an opportunity presented itself, that opportunity arrived in 2024. Joe holds a BA in Philosophy from UT San Antonio, a BBA in Accountancy from Boise State University, and a Masters of Governmental Accounting from Rutgers University. He has spent the last 17 years working in state and local government in Idaho and Colorado and was the long-standing Treasurer for the Boise Climbers Alliance a 501(c)3. Joe failed at retirement (if that’s possible) in 2026 and was happy to join CCA as a part-time bookkeeper and office manager. The hours allow him time to work on projects at home while contributing to the mission of CCA. Joe and Noelle enjoy mountain biking, hiking, camping and exploring Colorado. They have two rescue dogs, Hero and Roki the Pirate, who demand attention, affection, and treats as often as possible. 

Kathy has been river guiding for six years, and this is her fourth season with CCA. With a background in triathlon coaching, she is experienced in managing large groups and specializes in bringing high energy, innovative games to our river trips. She thrives in dynamic environments and enjoy the unique challenges of guiding both children and adults.

She is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and is passionate about inspiring youth to explore outdoor adventures and careers while practicing Leave No Trace principles. Additionally, Kathy loves serving as head chef on the river and introducing new cuisine to our participants. The Western Slope—with its incredible NCAs, canyons, rivers, and trails—truly speaks to her adventurous spirit, and she hopes to spark this passion in others.