STAFF
Camille Richard, Executive Director
Camille was born in Lawton, OK, but has spent her childhood summers at the family cabin in Lake City since 1965, moving here permanently in 1995. She received her Bachelor's degree in 1984 from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, but eventually returned to Colorado to earn a Master's in Rangeland Management and Mine Land Reclamation at Colorado State University in 1990. She then embarked on an international career as a rangeland conservation and development specialist, starting with Peace Corps in Nepal, and later working throughout the Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, and Bhutan, the Tibetan regions within China, and Mongolia. In her times stateside, her focus has been on the restoration of severely disturbed lands, one area of which was Summitville Mine near South Fork, where she helped develop the revegetation plan, as well as helping to establish the Lake Fork Land Trust in the late 1990’s. She has been working with the LFVC since 2006, first as a volunteer assisting with long-term planning and monitoring, and now as Executive Director. c.richard@lfvc.org 
Zach Dutra, Program Director
Zach’s passion for the outdoors stems from childhood explorations of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and Mogollon Rim. He moved to Colorado after high school to experience a true Rocky Mountain winter and found himself feeling right at home on the Western Slope of the Continental Divide. Zach moved to Gunnison, CO in 2009 where he earned a BA in Business with an emphasis in land management and a Minor in Geology from Western State College in 2013. He would return to Western and earn a Masters in Environmental Management in 2020. The Lake Fork Earth & Sky Center Conceptual Plan was the focus of Zach’s Masters project, which Is how he became involved with the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy. His love for outdoor recreation drives him to advocate for land and water conservation as a means to protect open space for future generations to experience. z.dutra@lfvc.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Crist, Board President
Tim grew up in the shadow of the Lake Erie snow belt in northwest Pennsylvania. He studied biology at Allegheny College and left the northeast to get a Master’s degree in Forestry at Duke University in Durham, NC. After receiving his degrees, Tim spent 27 years supporting a variety of information technology systems within government and at high tech companies. Tim has lived in Colorado for 25+ years, spending most of those years in the east Boulder County community of Louisville. He has been a year round resident of Lake City since 2018. In his spare time, he can be found fly fishing, hiking, rafting and backcountry ski touring. Tim looks forward to giving back to the Lake City community via the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy. 
John Coy, Treasurer
A third generation Colorado native, John grew up in Arvada, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. While growing up he developed a love for skiing, fly fishing, backpacking and peak climbing, which fostered a belief in preserving the environment and our amazing public lands for future generations. After college graduation he moved to Phoenix, Arizona and worked for Nucor Corporation as Controller for Research Chemicals A. After passing the CPA exam, John held financial and consulting positions and in 1991 accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer for Miller Distributing of Fort Worth, one of his beverage consulting clients. In 2008, Miller of Fort Worth sold to Andrews Distributing of North Texas where John took the position as Director of Strategic Initiatives for one of the largest Miller Coors beer wholesalers in America. John left Andrews Distributing in 2015 and spent the next two years consulting, retiring in 2017, capping his 29-year career in the beer business. During that time, John was involved in local government as a Town Councilman and numerous Board positions with civic and non-profit organizations such as Easter Seals, Sister Cities and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. During his career John was the speaker at national industry meetings on various operational, financial and insurance related topics. John is married to Kerry Wade Coy whom he met at the University of Colorado and has two sons, both living in Texas with their wives and sons. John and Kerry spend summers in Lake City, Colorado and winters in Fort Worth and Hico, Texas where they have a small cow/calf ranch. 
Roy Shaw, Board member
Roy grew up on upper Galveston Bay in the 1960 and 70’s when the first efforts to clean up and protect our rivers, lakes and bays were starting to show progress. During that period, he got to witness firsthand the loss of habitat, encroachment of industrial and residential areas and loss of dark skies. At the same time improvements in water and air quality were being made as the many different interest groups worked out their demands. In that environment he came to understand that it takes organizations like the LFVC that have the ability and patience to undertake many small projects to keep our world clean, open, and yet economically sustainable. Roy has been a seasonal visitor to Lake City since the early 1980’s, and recently moved there as a full time resident. Roy graduated from Trinity University, majoring in Computer Science and Finance. His professional career involved extensive work in the banking industry, including being CTO at a software vendor. He has also been involved in several startups. Outside of work, water related activities have always been Roy’s passion. For many years that passion centered around competitive sailing, organizing and running events, and teaching children about sailing. With his move to the Lake Fork Valley, that passion has shifted to finding that perfect confluence of water, health and fitness, and outdoor activity. Being on the Board of the LFVC gives Roy the opportunity to help protect open spaces, help ensure access to our rivers and lakes, and help educate the public about their importance. |
Katherine Heidt,
River Watch Coordinator Katherine grew up in Texas, and received a BFA in both Metalworking and Fiber Arts from the University of North Texas. Soon after graduating, she visited Lake City and the mountains convinced her to stay. In 2017 she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (the parts that weren't on fire); upon returning to Lake City she began work with the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy. She loves to spend her free time out hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and exploring the beautiful area around Lake City. katherineh@lfvc.org 
Michelle Pierce, Administrative and Program Assistant
Michelle was born in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho where her father worked as a hard rock miner. Their family relocated from time to time following her father’s work but finally settled in Ouray in 1968 where she later graduated from high school. Michelle and her family moved to Lake City in the fall of 1984. She was subsequently hired by the Town of Lake City in March of 1985 and retired from her position as Town Manager in October of 2012. Her work for the Town of Lake City inspired her love for the community and a sense of volunteerism which continues to motivate her work today. Michelle was appointed to the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) Board of Directors in June 2015 representing Division 1, Hinsdale County after having served on the Gunnison Basin Roundtable which she chaired for 10 years. She currently serves as the President of the UGRWCD Board and is the current Board Secretary for the Lake City Area Fire Protection District. An avid genealogist, Michelle also serves as the registrar for the Gunnison Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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LFVC Board, Emeritus
Bernie Krystyniak
Bernie fell for the area's natural charms upon his first visit in 1975. He and wife Jodie spend summers and part of winter in Lake City and manages to continue as an active member of the community.
Bernie serves on the board of the LCMC Endowment Fund supporting healthcare delivery in Lake City and is a life member of Trout Unlimited. His past service on the Health District board and with Hinsdale County Search and Rescue has imprinted an awareness of what it takes to make Lake City such a wonderful place to live. It also provided an appreciation for how important it is to stay connected to our service organizations.
Having retired in 2007 from a career in change management, information technology, and accounting with a global Fortune 100 company, Bernie now is able to spend more time with the families of his daughters chasing grandkids He still delights in enjoying our natural scenic beauty and often is found on local streams and rivers casting for trout.
Bernie fell for the area's natural charms upon his first visit in 1975. He and wife Jodie spend summers and part of winter in Lake City and manages to continue as an active member of the community.
Bernie serves on the board of the LCMC Endowment Fund supporting healthcare delivery in Lake City and is a life member of Trout Unlimited. His past service on the Health District board and with Hinsdale County Search and Rescue has imprinted an awareness of what it takes to make Lake City such a wonderful place to live. It also provided an appreciation for how important it is to stay connected to our service organizations.
Having retired in 2007 from a career in change management, information technology, and accounting with a global Fortune 100 company, Bernie now is able to spend more time with the families of his daughters chasing grandkids He still delights in enjoying our natural scenic beauty and often is found on local streams and rivers casting for trout.
Philip Virden
Phillip moved to Lake City in 1973 after graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He has since owned two businesses in Lake City – Hall Realty, Inc. and the Mountaineer Movie Theatre. Phillip has been an active volunteer over his 40 years in Lake City and Gunnison – serving as school board director for nearly 20 years, Chamber of Commerce president, youth basketball coach, President of the Colorado Association of School Boards and other various area and state organizations.
Phillip has been married to his wife Carolyn Armstrong for 37 years and they have two daughters, Lily and Dasha. Phillip’s favorite activities include hiking, astronomy, travel, and photography. Phillip went to Kenya in 2006 and 2012 to teach, assist orphans, and support endangered wildlife in Africa.
Phillip moved to Lake City in 1973 after graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He has since owned two businesses in Lake City – Hall Realty, Inc. and the Mountaineer Movie Theatre. Phillip has been an active volunteer over his 40 years in Lake City and Gunnison – serving as school board director for nearly 20 years, Chamber of Commerce president, youth basketball coach, President of the Colorado Association of School Boards and other various area and state organizations.
Phillip has been married to his wife Carolyn Armstrong for 37 years and they have two daughters, Lily and Dasha. Phillip’s favorite activities include hiking, astronomy, travel, and photography. Phillip went to Kenya in 2006 and 2012 to teach, assist orphans, and support endangered wildlife in Africa.
