Born in the San Francisco Bay area, I grew up spending time in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. After graduation from the University of California at Santa Cruz, my love of the mountains took me to Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho. I spent 15 years there, working for Sun Valley Magazine and later Names and Numbers phone directory. I was an active member of the Idaho Conservation League, Snake River Alliance (the no nukes group) and engaged in local politics. In 1994, I moved to Colorado after meeting my husband, Andy Wiessner. Living in the Eagle Valley, I worked selling advertising for special events for the Vail Valley Foundation and Names and Numbers. Volunteer work included the local Democratic Party, involvement in the revision of the White River National Forest Plan, and various activities and fundraising for the Eagle Valley Land Trust. I was very active in the successful ballot initiative to establish the Eagle County Open Space Tax and lobbying for preservation of the Bair Ranch, the first major project to be funded with the Open Space Tax.In August 2007, Andy and I moved to Old Snowmass. I have been lending a hand recently at the Sopris Foundation and I actively support the Colorado Environmental Coalition, Wilderness Workshop, Colorado Wild, and the Wilderness Land Trust.

James Brundige

James grew up on the East Coast. Between Baltimore, Boston, and New York, he studied music, religion, photography, and lacrosse. After a graduate degree in film scoring, he moved to New York city to ply the music trade, but soon realized that television would provide more opportunities to indulge in his love of the outdoors. Teaming up with David Breashears, James enjoyed many fine adventures from the Himalayas to the Amazon, survived a few grim shoots in Antarctica and Asia, and managed to get paid for all this fun by making adventure and science films. Since 1990, James has focused on environmental documentaries for PBS, BBC, CBS, ABC, Turner, Discovery, and National Geographic. In 1996 James met Chelsea Congdon, an accomplished environmental activist also working in film. Since that time Chelsea and James have produced several award-winning films, two award-winning children, and a house on Capitol Creek in Old Snowmass.

Steve Child

Steve has lived and worked on his family's ranch on upper Capitol Creek Road nearly all of the 45 years they have owned it. He currently is the manager of the cattle ranch, as well as serving as a substitute teacher and bus driver for RE-1 Schools. He has served as a member of the current caucus board since 1995, but helped out on special projects such as land use applications, and the Master Plan committee for several previous years. He served on the Snowmass/Capitol Creeks Caucus Board during the 1970's and 80's, and was the Caucus secretary for a few years at that time. He also serves on two other boards - the Wilderness Workshop Board, and the Pitkin County Weed Advisory Board. He also is a volunteer usher at the Wheeler Opera House, and sings baritone with the Aspen Choral Society and the Waldorf Revelers. Steve is a 1966 graduate of Basalt High School, and a 1970 graduate of Stanford University. He has been married to Molly for 29 years, and has 3 children, Nathan, Devon, and Robin.

John Clark

By profession I am a lawyer and have practiced law since graduation from Stanford Law School in 1961. I started practice in New York many years ago and presently am Of-Counsel to a law firm with offices on both coasts. Although the last time I saw it was in April, I do have an office in Los Angeles and continue to practice on a reduced basis. I have always been a trial lawyer and for most of my career have specialized in disputes arising in the construction industry. Along the way I have represented such organizations as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council in efforts to prevent cutting of virgin redwood forests, prevent diversion of water from the Sacramento River by means of the Peripheral Canal, require release of water to allow water flows in the San Joaquin River, and to enjoin the California Department of Fish & Game from hunting mountain lions for the fun of it. I am very interested in preserving Snowmass Valley very much as it is today and in preventing it from becoming another Red Mountain, tasks which are almost certain to become much more difficult as the value of property here continues to climb.

 Kathy DeWolfe

I moved here from the Chicago area in 1975, where I was an English teacher. I’ve lived in Old Snowmass for 25 years. Most of my working career has been with Aspen Skiing Company (22 year employee) where I held positions in Public Affairs, Marketing, Advertising, Property Management and Real Estate Sales. Three years ago I left the Ski Co. to go into general real estate. I have some experience on Boards through being property manager for the Country Club Villas in Snowmass Village for about 8 years, and have worked on special events, such as World Cup. I was a single parent for many years, but am an empty-nester now and have the time to devote to organizations such as the SnoCap Caucus. The meetings I have attended have been very interesting and educational. I’ve been impressed with the work the Caucus does to protect our area and would enjoy contributing towards those efforts.

I have lived in Snowmass since 1984, and built a passive solar home in Gateway in 1993. I am 56 years old, an émigré from Norway in 1967, love living and playing in Snowmass, and have an amazing 18 year old daughter in college in Boulder. I work as a consultant in climate change for municipalities, educational institutions, environmental groups, international NGOs, corporations, and foundations. (see www.climatemitigation.com for details.) My candidacy represents promoting the ideas embodied in the Snowmass Capitol Creek Master Plan with particular attention to preserving the rural character of our beautiful valleys and responsible residential development. The Master Plan is clear with respect to a reducing the “visual impacts, energy [and] materials consumption, light pollution, and traffic” from larger homes and encourages the construction of homes under the current 5,750 square foot limitation. In practical terms, I will endeavor to help curb energy use in all future homes brought before the Caucus by holding each proposal to build, expand, or renovate a home to a high standard of non-reliance on fossil fuels in both its construction and operation. I am not a single-issue candidate. Responsible water use, impact of proposed homes on neighbors’ view-planes, exterior lighting, and other elements of home design that exert high costs on the local and broader community will also be strongly encouraged. We are fortunate to live in our twin valleys. I aim to preserve our legacy by fostering responsible development.

Michael Kinsley

Michael has lived in the county for 37 years and in Old Snowmass for fourteen. He is a principal at Rocky Mountain Institute specializing in restorative communities. He’s written one book and many articles on sustainable economic development, and has lectured and conducted workshops on that topic in 40 states and four foreign countries. He is also a landscape painter whose work often shows at the Toklat Gallery in Basalt. Michael was a Pitkin County Commissioner from 1975 to ’85, part of the board that instituted the first growth control, affordable housing, and environmental protection in the valley; and secured an agreement with Snowmass Village to protect Snowmass Creek, which the village essentially ignored. Before that, he served as director and single employee of a local environmental organization, during which he helped the Child family and others stop the ski area proposed in upper Capitol Creek (‘71). He co-founded the Western Colorado Congress and Center for Conflict Resolution in the Roaring Fork Valley and has served on sixteen local and statewide boards and committees related to environment, health, and leadership — including the Caucus Board on which he has served since ’95.

Jan Martin

Jan Martin was raised in a suburb of St. Louis. Following graduation from college she moved to Chicago where she spent the majority of her life. Upon completion of her MBA at the University of Chicago, she went into commercial banking with Continental National Bank. After leaving banking she founded a real estate development and management firm where she worked until her retirement four years ago. While in Chicago she served on numerous non-profit boards. As a caucus board member, she is an advocate for transparency in how the business of the caucus is conducted. She has a commitment to citizen involvement, consensus building, and collaborative problem solving. She is pledged to manage growth, protect and enhance our quality of life, and defense of our water resources.

Lives on The Other Side, her ranch that is a horse boarding and rehabilitation center. On the ranch she manages 24+ horses, 5 dairy cows, 4 llamas, and 2 goats. Dogs and barn kitties.  Kate graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University, was a professional ski racer, holding 6 world records in the 24 Hr. Downhill and made her liveiihood modeling and racing on the World Pro Ski Tour. Formerly she worked with her father co-founding the Sopris Foundation and acting as Director of the AABC foundation.  Both foundations focus on the environment, land and wildlife conservation, population, education, and some arts.  Kate is a Certified Veterinary Technician having passed her boards this June. Kate has served on many boards, including Pitkin County Planning and Zoning, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, American Rivers (13 years) and Population Communications International.  As a kid she started VOYC (Voice of Youth Concerns).  She is a single mother of two (ages 6 and 4) with the younger one having ILD (interstitial lung disease and an immune disorder). It is due to her daughter that Kate is in the process of trying to transfer her vet tech credits over to nursing to become a registered nurse as well.  Kate lives full time on her ranch, The Other Side and speaks to her children in Spanish.  

Tim McFlynn

Tim McFlynn has been on the Board for four years, co-chaired the Caucus Master Plan Committee, and coordinates the Smart Water Campaign to protect minimum instream flows in Snowmass Creek. He is a professional mediator with Aspen Dispute Resolution and executive director of Public Counsel of the Rockies. Tim serves as a Trustee of the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Program, President of the Board of Wilderness Workshop, and on the board of the Manaus Fund, the Western Conservation Foundation, and Tomorrow's Voices.

Holly McLain

Initially, I was a young ski bum in Aspen, doing odd jobs, and skiing every day. But, eventually, I could not get the passion of horses out of my soul, and in 1974, my father helped me buy the raw land that is now Moon Run Ranch. I have owned and operated Moon Run Ranch for the past 33 years. It is a full service horse boarding facility offering, training, lessons, horses for sale, clinics for horsemanship, cow working, and vaquero ranch roping, trail riding, fly fishing and special events . I have raised two children here, Travis and Afton McLain, both of whom are residents working in Aspen. Travis coaches AVSC Snowboard Team, and owns “Radio Board Shop”, and Afton works at “Bandana Kids” is looking at art schools for the future.

 Emily Smith

Emily's first contact with the Aspen/Snowmass area was almost 40 years ago when she and husband, Hawley, accompanied an Aspen native on a ski vacation. The Smith family enjoys the summers on their small horse ranch in Shield O Mesa, just above Snowmass Creek Road. Three years ago, she became acquainted with the caucus through the annual picnic held at Holly McClain's ranch and credits that event with the many new friendships the family enjoys. "My immediate interest lies in improving contact, communication and, thus representation of the caucus members. Increased involvement by members should translate into a greater sense of community which is a goal of the comprehensive plan. Land-use issues are also of interest to me. I am grateful for the efforts of Sue Helm and the caucus for their protection of the Snowmass Creek." "Our entire family values greatly the beauty and serenity of this area. Recognizing that change is going to happen, I want to represent caucus residents’ positions on issues. I believe the Caucus Board should strive to balance the property rights of owners with the intent of the comprehensive plan. Recommendations to the county should be made only after input from members is solicited and considered in conjunction with Pitkin County rules and laws. I think it important to justify any decision of the Board with research, study and professional advice where warranted. The voice of the caucus could also present concerns of the constituents to the county that are outside of the land-use and creek missions of the caucus, e.g. guard rails on Watson Divide." Emily received her BBA Degree from Emory University '69 and began a career in banking. She partnered with her husband in their residential real estate development firm in 1976, and maintains a real estate sales license. She declares her real career to be as a "professional volunteer" and has served on numerous boards and chaired fund raising campaigns for education and children's issues. Emily is involved with efforts to reach Roaring Fork Valley students academically through the Trashmasters Golf Tournament scholarships and spiritually through the Young Life organization, a non-denominational group providing year round mentoring and camperships. Her family attends Crossroads Community Church in Aspen. When not residing in Old Snowmass, Emily and her family live in Jacksonville, FL. All three children are involved in the family business and the family foundation. Her major commitments in Jacksonville include District Board Membership for Florida Community College at Jacksonville since 2000, which serves 80,000 students annually. On the financial committee, she supports Young Life of Jacksonville which endeavors to introduce youth to the "liberty of a spiritual life". She is a founder and Board Member of Seamark Ranch, a home for abused and neglected children.

 
Ken Smith

Originally from Wilmette Illinois, I spent four years in northern Vermont and graduated from Goddard College. My wife Gwen and I moved to Snowmass in 1976 and lived for several years up on Gateway Mesa before building our current house on East Sopris Creek Road. Gwen and I raised two daughters here, Emily and Kristin, who currently live in Illinois and New York. I've previously served on a variety of committees with the Roaring Fork School District at both the district and school level. My first job here was in building. It seems to have stuck since I have now been building homes in the area for thirty plus years and have owned a construction company since 1992. Over the years, I've seen the caucus accomplish some great work preserving the environment here in the Snowmass and Capital Creek Valleys and I'm interested in contributing to the effort.

Barbara Sullan

Barb graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelors degree In Dental Hygiene in 1976 and a Masters of Science in Health Education from the University of Southern Illinois in 1979. Following her time in Illinois, she was anxious to get back to Colorado and the state she loved. Barb and her husband Scott established life in Denver both working in their careers. They had three children all of whom became competitive skiers. Jack, their youngest, was intrigued with the Aspen Valley Ski Club and the Aspen High School. With his two sisters off to college, it took only a small amount of arm twisting to get us to move our family to Old Snowmass in 2005. Jack was a member of the graduating class of 2009 and is off to college next year. He has also had, and continues to have a terrific career as a competitive skier with the AVSC.
While raising her family, Barb was a practicing Dental Hygienist for 33 years in Denver. She also worked as clinical and didactic faculty at the University Of Colorado School of Dentistry and the Community College of Denver teaching Periodontics and working with students and their patients. Dentistry continues to be a passion for her. In Aspen, she has become part of a dental coalition trying to find a solution for the indigent population in the Roaring Fork Valley. That has proven to be both a challenge and inspiration to her as she discovers the dental health care problems that face so many people in our valley. The coalition is in the process of finding a permanent location for a safety net dental clinic to serve those in need from Aspen to Parachute. Being a native of Colorado, Barb and her family are all avid skiers. She also loves to hike and bike. She has loved Old Snowmass since she first saw it and is proud to call it home.

Frieda K. Wallison

My husband and I have been property owners in the caucus area, at the Lazy O Ranch, for 15 years, completed our house here 13 years ago, and have been permanent residents for 8 years. I am a lawyer by training, and was a partner in major international law firms in New York City and Washington, D.C. until my retirement in 1998. I am a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Law School. My husband Peter and I have three grown children and two grandchildren. Since moving to the valley permanently, I have been the managing member of Caddis Fly Partners, LLC, the developer of Riverwalk at the Fryingpan in Basalt, and am now also working on a development project in Carbondale. I believe strongly in maintaining the rural character of Old Snowmass and that office and other commercial development should be pursued in existing urban areas, demonstrated by the development projects in which I have been involved. I also believe that the work of the caucus board in seeking to maintain the health of Snowmass and Capitol Creeks is of extreme importance.

Brad Zanin

I was born in Aspen and graduated from Aspen High School in 1984. I attended Pomona College and graduated in 1988 with a BA in Economics. I lived and worked in Los Angeles after college until I moved back to Aspen permanently in August of 1995. I own Aspen Performance Group, Inc. which provides pension consulting services to an investment bank. I purchased my Snowmass Creek lot in 2/2001 and built my house the following year. I live there with my two daughters Hannah and Brittany. Hannah is 6 and is a first grade student at the Aspen Elementary School. Brittany is 19 and is a sophomore at the University of Colorado.