Regional Council Members: Local Insight Equals Maximum Impact
When it comes to grantmaking and program development away from the Front Range, El Pomar relies on a network of local advisers to make decisions that can truly offer support where it is needed most. Our Regional Council members are community leaders who are actively involved on a daily basis in the different areas where they live. They come from the business, government and nonprofit sectors and include numerous college presidents and elected officials. Divided into nine Regional Councils, they provide the kind of insight that allows El Pomar to distribute its resources effectively even in those places that are far from our home base.
Merle Baranczyk, Central Peaks Region
Owner, Editor, and Publisher, The Mountain Mail
Merle Baranczyk is the owner, editor, and publisher of The Mountain Mail, a Salida-based company that publishes numerous newspapers including The Mail (daily), as well as weekly papers in Buena Vista, Leadville, Bailey, and Salida. A contributing member of his community, Baranczyk serves on...
Charlie Forster, Central Peaks Region
Collegiate Peaks Bank, Chairman and CEO
Charlie Forster is the mountain region president of Collegiate Peaks Bank in Salida and Buena Vista. In addition to serving on the El Pomar Central Peaks Regional Council, Forster served as the Foundation's Regional Trustee from April 2009-April 2010. He is president of the Heart of the...
Jim Little, Central Peaks Region
Owner and Publisher, Wet Mountain Tribune
Jim Little is the owner and publisher of the Wet Mountain Tribune, a weekly newspaper serving Custer County. An active member of the community, Little is a founding member and current president of the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation, past president of the West Custer County Library...
Judy Lohnes, Central Peaks Region
Executive Director, Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG)
Judy Lohnes is the executive director of the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) in Cañon City, an organization she has been employed by for three decades. Lohnes has led numerous collaborative efforts in human services throughout Fremont, Chaffee, Lake, and Custer counties...
The Honorable Tom Massey, Central Peaks Region
Representative, Colorado General Assembly
Tom Massey is a representative to the Colorado General Assembly, where he serves House District 60, which is comprised of Chaffee, Park, Custer, Fremont, Pueblo, and Saguache counties. As a representative, Massey has served on numerous legislative committees, including Business Affairs and Labor...
Sheri Trahern, Central Peaks Region
Chief Administrative Officer, St. Thomas More Hospital
Trahern is the Chief Financial Officer at Centura Health - St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City. Active in the community, Trahern is a member of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Community Relations Board, the Fremont County Economic Development Corporation’s executive council...
Mike Bordogna, High Country Region
Commissioner, Lake County
Mike Bordogna became a Lake County Commissioner after working for many years as a high school and middle school teacher. In addition to being a High Country Council member, he serves on several boards and has focused on bringing public transportation, solar power, recreation and water...
Kathleen Brendza, High Country Region
Principal, The New America School
Kathleen Brendza is the principal of the New America School in Gypsum, Colorado. Kathleen has received numerous awards, including the Karen A. Patterson Award recipient from Regis University, the Colorado Trust Fellowship Award, and the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. Born...
Thomas Davidson, High Country Region
Commissioner, Summit County
In addition to serving on the High Country Regional Council, Thomas Davidson also serves on the Summit Foundation Board, is the chairman of the Summit Combined Housing Authority, serves on the board of directors for the Credit Union of the Rockies, and is on the board of directors for Colorado...
Colorado State Representative, District 56
Dr. Millie Hamner is currently the state representative for House District 56 representing the citizens of Eagle, Lake, and Summit Counties. Prior to her appointment to the legislature, Millie enjoyed a 35 year career as a public school educator serving in the capacities of elementary and middle...
