2018 Board of Directors
Our volunteer board of directors meets regularly to coordinate fundraising and planning efforts, all of which are designed to benefit our local area students. Proceeds generated from these fundraising efforts are distributed to students annually in the form of scholarships or interest free loans.
Each spring, the Awards committee evaluates applications and matches available scholarship and loan funds with deserving students. Recipients are selected based on a number of factors including academic achievement, school involvement and community service, but always with an emphasis on financial need. Special circumstances are also weighed on an individual basis.
Each spring, the Awards committee evaluates applications and matches available scholarship and loan funds with deserving students. Recipients are selected based on a number of factors including academic achievement, school involvement and community service, but always with an emphasis on financial need. Special circumstances are also weighed on an individual basis.
Samson Eberhart - President
Samson is a Colorado native and was born and raised in Pine. After graduating as valedictorian of his Conifer High School class in 2009, he attended the University of Denver and graduated in 2013 with a major in Finance and minors in Economics, Leadership and French. Samson was passionate about being highly involved on campus and has held many leadership positions in a variety of organizations and jobs within the University. Most notably, Samson is a cofounder of the Pioneer Business Review, a student-run business newspaper. Samson works in a financial firm and loves traveling, biking, cooking, and volunteering.
Samson is a Colorado native and was born and raised in Pine. After graduating as valedictorian of his Conifer High School class in 2009, he attended the University of Denver and graduated in 2013 with a major in Finance and minors in Economics, Leadership and French. Samson was passionate about being highly involved on campus and has held many leadership positions in a variety of organizations and jobs within the University. Most notably, Samson is a cofounder of the Pioneer Business Review, a student-run business newspaper. Samson works in a financial firm and loves traveling, biking, cooking, and volunteering.
Melanie Cook - Vice President
Melanie, a Colorado native, returned to her home state in 2013. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to follow their life’s passion and be afforded those educational opportunities. She believes locally-driven initiatives, like Bootstraps, create and sustain the foundational conditions for the collective community. Melanie has pursued her passions in intellectual property licensing, accounting and finance through running a boutique consulting firm and working for Sun Microsystems and EY. She holds a BBA in Accounting from Stetson University and a MPA from McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin. “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” (Kofi Annan)
Melanie, a Colorado native, returned to her home state in 2013. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to follow their life’s passion and be afforded those educational opportunities. She believes locally-driven initiatives, like Bootstraps, create and sustain the foundational conditions for the collective community. Melanie has pursued her passions in intellectual property licensing, accounting and finance through running a boutique consulting firm and working for Sun Microsystems and EY. She holds a BBA in Accounting from Stetson University and a MPA from McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin. “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” (Kofi Annan)
Lee Merreot - Secretary
Lee is a Midwestern native who has chosen Evergreen as the ideal place to settle permanently and raise her two daughters. She is an attorney, as well as a realtor serving buyers and sellers in the Evergreen area and beyond. Lee is very active in the community serving as secretary of the Hiwan Homeowner’s Association and vice president of the Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Parent Teacher Organization. She also volunteers with several other nonprofit organizations in the Evergreen area. Lee joined the Bootstraps board of directors because she supports and believes in the mission of the organization.
Lee is a Midwestern native who has chosen Evergreen as the ideal place to settle permanently and raise her two daughters. She is an attorney, as well as a realtor serving buyers and sellers in the Evergreen area and beyond. Lee is very active in the community serving as secretary of the Hiwan Homeowner’s Association and vice president of the Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Parent Teacher Organization. She also volunteers with several other nonprofit organizations in the Evergreen area. Lee joined the Bootstraps board of directors because she supports and believes in the mission of the organization.
Travis Clark - Treasurer
In 1997, Travis and his wife moved to Colorado from Vermont for the powder and stayed for the sunshine, however it was the sense of community that drew them to Evergreen, where they have been since their arrival to the Centennial State. For the past 18 years Travis has worked at Bank of the West where he has held many local and regional positions. His wife is a land conservation attorney who practices locally, speaks nationally, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver and Vermont Law School. They have one child who loves to do anything athletic, practicing his Uke and piano, and enjoys both math and reading books. Most of their family time is spent on or next to a soccer pitch from the spring through the fall seasons, and enjoying the bumps and trees at Mary Jane/Winter Park in the winter. As a sponsor of Bootstraps for many years, Travis joined the board to help support a cause that his family is passionate about....EDUCATION for all!
In 1997, Travis and his wife moved to Colorado from Vermont for the powder and stayed for the sunshine, however it was the sense of community that drew them to Evergreen, where they have been since their arrival to the Centennial State. For the past 18 years Travis has worked at Bank of the West where he has held many local and regional positions. His wife is a land conservation attorney who practices locally, speaks nationally, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver and Vermont Law School. They have one child who loves to do anything athletic, practicing his Uke and piano, and enjoys both math and reading books. Most of their family time is spent on or next to a soccer pitch from the spring through the fall seasons, and enjoying the bumps and trees at Mary Jane/Winter Park in the winter. As a sponsor of Bootstraps for many years, Travis joined the board to help support a cause that his family is passionate about....EDUCATION for all!
Lauren Davis
Lauren is a Colorado native with a passion for education. She attended Yale University where she was a four-year member of the women's ice hockey team. Graduating in 2012, Lauren returned to Colorado to continue her education at the University of Denver where she received a Master's degree in management. Lauren founded the Critical Knowledge Initiative, a comprehensive program for young adults focusing on personal, professional, and financial success. Her goal is to provide a toolkit for the next generation to be best prepared for the obstacles they may face in the future. Lauren continues to play hockey in her spare time. She is a member of the Evergreen Rotary Club and co-owner of a pickle company, PickleBear. She loves to read, write, and travel. Lauren joined Bootstraps because her service on the board will allow her to fulfill her passion of "preparing the next generation for the real world in the best possible way, through an organization that is focused on and funded by the community."
Lauren is a Colorado native with a passion for education. She attended Yale University where she was a four-year member of the women's ice hockey team. Graduating in 2012, Lauren returned to Colorado to continue her education at the University of Denver where she received a Master's degree in management. Lauren founded the Critical Knowledge Initiative, a comprehensive program for young adults focusing on personal, professional, and financial success. Her goal is to provide a toolkit for the next generation to be best prepared for the obstacles they may face in the future. Lauren continues to play hockey in her spare time. She is a member of the Evergreen Rotary Club and co-owner of a pickle company, PickleBear. She loves to read, write, and travel. Lauren joined Bootstraps because her service on the board will allow her to fulfill her passion of "preparing the next generation for the real world in the best possible way, through an organization that is focused on and funded by the community."
Kimberly Viergever Easton
In 2001, Kimberly joined the Rietz Law Firm, where she has successfully tried numerous cases. Her focus has been in the areas of recreation law and products liability. She is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, a member of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Association, a board member and past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, and was listed in the 2007-2008 Edition of Cambridge’s “Who’s Who”. Kimberly spends her free time with her husband and two children, skiing, mountain biking, and traveling to and from their sporting activities.
In 2001, Kimberly joined the Rietz Law Firm, where she has successfully tried numerous cases. Her focus has been in the areas of recreation law and products liability. She is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, a member of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Association, a board member and past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, and was listed in the 2007-2008 Edition of Cambridge’s “Who’s Who”. Kimberly spends her free time with her husband and two children, skiing, mountain biking, and traveling to and from their sporting activities.
Sue Freytag
Sue is the mother of twin girls who received Bootstraps scholarships in 2015. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering and a Master's in Environmental Engineering. In the mid-80s to mid-90s, Sue worked in the hydrogeology and environment engineering fields both in private companies and government regulatory agencies. She has been a paraprofessional at Marshdale Elementary School since 2006 teaching students math. Sue likes to do anything outdoors, including playing tennis, hiking, skiing and gardening.
Sue is the mother of twin girls who received Bootstraps scholarships in 2015. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering and a Master's in Environmental Engineering. In the mid-80s to mid-90s, Sue worked in the hydrogeology and environment engineering fields both in private companies and government regulatory agencies. She has been a paraprofessional at Marshdale Elementary School since 2006 teaching students math. Sue likes to do anything outdoors, including playing tennis, hiking, skiing and gardening.
Kim Herfurt
Kim is a Colorado native and has a MS in Management from Regis University. From 1999 to 2012 Kim taught at Regis in the College of Computer Science. He helped establish the Computer Network Security program which received designation as a “Center of Academic Excellence” from the National Security Agency. He also taught at Evergreen High School from 1995 through 2004 retiring from Jefferson County Public Schools in 2007. Kim’s two daughters, Erin and Erika, both graduated from Evergreen High School and made it known that they would not be caught in his classroom. Neither excelled in math or computers, however Erin is a Director of a Head Start Program in Boulder and Erika owns and operates Salon Sei Bella in Southwest Lakewood. He, his wife Jennifer, their dog Maxze and cat Piper live in Hiwan Hills.
Kim has a passion for community involvement in Evergreen. He is a long-standing member and past president of Blue Spruce Kiwanis, a member of the Evergreen Elks Lodge, and the American Legion Post 2001. He is currently an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker - The Early Group in Evergreen.
Kim is a Colorado native and has a MS in Management from Regis University. From 1999 to 2012 Kim taught at Regis in the College of Computer Science. He helped establish the Computer Network Security program which received designation as a “Center of Academic Excellence” from the National Security Agency. He also taught at Evergreen High School from 1995 through 2004 retiring from Jefferson County Public Schools in 2007. Kim’s two daughters, Erin and Erika, both graduated from Evergreen High School and made it known that they would not be caught in his classroom. Neither excelled in math or computers, however Erin is a Director of a Head Start Program in Boulder and Erika owns and operates Salon Sei Bella in Southwest Lakewood. He, his wife Jennifer, their dog Maxze and cat Piper live in Hiwan Hills.
Kim has a passion for community involvement in Evergreen. He is a long-standing member and past president of Blue Spruce Kiwanis, a member of the Evergreen Elks Lodge, and the American Legion Post 2001. He is currently an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker - The Early Group in Evergreen.
Kim Lange
Kim has a BA from CSU and majored in Graphic Design. Kim jokes that she is the mother of three children and wife of one - John. Kim made her children her career for the first twenty rears of her twenty-seven-year marriage, and she enjoyed every minute of it. All three of her children attended Conifer High School. Kim's oldest child, Brett Marie, recently married another Conifer High School graduate. Kim and John's middle child, Craig, died in a mountain biking accident in June 2010. Their youngest child, Reid, is attending Cornell College where he is studying Biochemistry. After the terrible loss of Craig, Kim and John wanted to honor him and his passion for life by creating the Craig Lange Passionate Life Scholarship with Bootstraps. Kim spends her free time playing tennis, scrapbooking with friends, traveling, practicing yoga, and hiking. She has been a volunteer for many organizations in her more than 20-years living in the mountains. Kim volunteers with Bootstraps because, "Our mountain community is full of people who care about those in need and who want to make our towns thrive. It's important to continue nurturing our community, and by assisting our young people to further their educations', we enable them to go out into the world, gain knowledge, and perhaps come back to our community to give back to those that helped them."
Kim has a BA from CSU and majored in Graphic Design. Kim jokes that she is the mother of three children and wife of one - John. Kim made her children her career for the first twenty rears of her twenty-seven-year marriage, and she enjoyed every minute of it. All three of her children attended Conifer High School. Kim's oldest child, Brett Marie, recently married another Conifer High School graduate. Kim and John's middle child, Craig, died in a mountain biking accident in June 2010. Their youngest child, Reid, is attending Cornell College where he is studying Biochemistry. After the terrible loss of Craig, Kim and John wanted to honor him and his passion for life by creating the Craig Lange Passionate Life Scholarship with Bootstraps. Kim spends her free time playing tennis, scrapbooking with friends, traveling, practicing yoga, and hiking. She has been a volunteer for many organizations in her more than 20-years living in the mountains. Kim volunteers with Bootstraps because, "Our mountain community is full of people who care about those in need and who want to make our towns thrive. It's important to continue nurturing our community, and by assisting our young people to further their educations', we enable them to go out into the world, gain knowledge, and perhaps come back to our community to give back to those that helped them."
Shelbi Perry
Shelbi and her husband, Alan, moved to Conifer in 1995. Growing up in the Vail Valley, Shelbi wanted to raise her children in a mountain community. Shelbi and Alan have two children, now young adults, who attended Marshdale Elementary, West Jefferson Middle School, and Conifer High School, and who both have successfully gone on to college. Shelbi has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she is now the Executive Director of the Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education. She has a great passion for convening diverse groups of people from the public and private sectors to expand the capacity of nonprofits to deliver their mission. Shelbi believes education is one of the most effective and powerful tools for creating opportunity and access, and that every individual deserves a chance to learn and succeed. She believes Bootstraps makes the journey a little easier for many young adults in our mountain community.
Shelbi and her husband, Alan, moved to Conifer in 1995. Growing up in the Vail Valley, Shelbi wanted to raise her children in a mountain community. Shelbi and Alan have two children, now young adults, who attended Marshdale Elementary, West Jefferson Middle School, and Conifer High School, and who both have successfully gone on to college. Shelbi has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she is now the Executive Director of the Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education. She has a great passion for convening diverse groups of people from the public and private sectors to expand the capacity of nonprofits to deliver their mission. Shelbi believes education is one of the most effective and powerful tools for creating opportunity and access, and that every individual deserves a chance to learn and succeed. She believes Bootstraps makes the journey a little easier for many young adults in our mountain community.
Jennifer Richey
Jennifer has lived in Conifer for the last 22 years with her husband, Tim, and children Jack and Piper, who both attended Conifer High School. She has always been active in school fundraising starting at Marshdale Elementary all the way up to Conifer High School as a board member for Conifer Lobos Unified Boosters. Jenn grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsonsin-Madison. the love of the outdoors, and particularly skiing, brought Jenn and Tim to Colorado after college. She also enjoys playing tennis, hiking, traveling, and reading. Jennifer joined the Bootstraps Board because she "loves what the organization does for local kids."
Jennifer has lived in Conifer for the last 22 years with her husband, Tim, and children Jack and Piper, who both attended Conifer High School. She has always been active in school fundraising starting at Marshdale Elementary all the way up to Conifer High School as a board member for Conifer Lobos Unified Boosters. Jenn grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsonsin-Madison. the love of the outdoors, and particularly skiing, brought Jenn and Tim to Colorado after college. She also enjoys playing tennis, hiking, traveling, and reading. Jennifer joined the Bootstraps Board because she "loves what the organization does for local kids."
Stephanie Titus
Stephanie has been a grants manager since 2000. She ensures the quality and timeliness of a foundation's procedural, administration, and managerial aspects of grantmaking. Stephanie has a wide range of work experience in the nonprofit field. She worked in the child welfare system with foster youth, ran a self-sufficiency program for adults in crisis, and managed a volunteer and mentoring program for girls. She also has experience providing services to homeless youth and the elderly. She began her career as a social worker in Philadelphia before moving to the Bay area to pursue her Master's degree. Stephanie has a Master's in Public Administration from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor's of Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia. Stephanie focuses her volunteer activities on those that benefit children and youth. In January 2011, she and her husband moved to Colorado to be closer to family (in Montana, Wyoming, and here in Colorado).
Stephanie has been a grants manager since 2000. She ensures the quality and timeliness of a foundation's procedural, administration, and managerial aspects of grantmaking. Stephanie has a wide range of work experience in the nonprofit field. She worked in the child welfare system with foster youth, ran a self-sufficiency program for adults in crisis, and managed a volunteer and mentoring program for girls. She also has experience providing services to homeless youth and the elderly. She began her career as a social worker in Philadelphia before moving to the Bay area to pursue her Master's degree. Stephanie has a Master's in Public Administration from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor's of Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia. Stephanie focuses her volunteer activities on those that benefit children and youth. In January 2011, she and her husband moved to Colorado to be closer to family (in Montana, Wyoming, and here in Colorado).
Staff
Colleen Skates - Executive Director
Colleen lived in Conifer for 18 years before moving to Evergreen in 2014. She began working for Bootstraps in January 2000. She and her husband, Jeff, have raised two sons and enjoy traveling and hanging out with the family. In May 2013, Colleen earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado Denver. She loves her job because she gets to help young adults from the mountain area pursue their dreams. Colleen says her job also allows her to meet many people from this incredibly generous community. “I am constantly amazed at how giving the members of the mountain-area community are. They are so eager to help others.”
Colleen lived in Conifer for 18 years before moving to Evergreen in 2014. She began working for Bootstraps in January 2000. She and her husband, Jeff, have raised two sons and enjoy traveling and hanging out with the family. In May 2013, Colleen earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado Denver. She loves her job because she gets to help young adults from the mountain area pursue their dreams. Colleen says her job also allows her to meet many people from this incredibly generous community. “I am constantly amazed at how giving the members of the mountain-area community are. They are so eager to help others.”
Nancy Hiester - Director of Development
Nancy grew up in New Jersey and moved to Colorado to pursue her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her college years were a wealth of learning – with a major in Psychology, minor in Spanish, and meeting her neighbor, who later became her husband. She completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Nancy has lived in the mountain area since the blizzard of 1982, when Conifer was a small town without any amenities. Both of her children graduated from Conifer High School and completed their college degrees out of state. Her son lives in Brooklyn teaching chess to children, aged three and up. Her daughter lives in Denver, performs on an improvisation team and works for a local start-up. Nancy’s strong interests are travel, reading, hiking, tennis, backpacking and just simply being outside. Her husband, Patrick is a talented musician and plays bluegrass, folk and original music.
Nancy grew up in New Jersey and moved to Colorado to pursue her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her college years were a wealth of learning – with a major in Psychology, minor in Spanish, and meeting her neighbor, who later became her husband. She completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Nancy has lived in the mountain area since the blizzard of 1982, when Conifer was a small town without any amenities. Both of her children graduated from Conifer High School and completed their college degrees out of state. Her son lives in Brooklyn teaching chess to children, aged three and up. Her daughter lives in Denver, performs on an improvisation team and works for a local start-up. Nancy’s strong interests are travel, reading, hiking, tennis, backpacking and just simply being outside. Her husband, Patrick is a talented musician and plays bluegrass, folk and original music.
