2017 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 D.U. 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 D.U. 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!
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.
Donna Hanisch
Donna and her husband, Bob, have been a part of the Evergreen community for 30 years where they raised their five children, several of whom were recipients of a Bootstraps Scholarship. She was educated at the University of Northern Colorado where she received a degree in Elementary Eduction, Communications, and a Masters degree in Reading. Donna is a retired Jefferson County teacher and is presently promoting and working at Evergreen Vision and Learning Center, where she is the head of the learning center. She enjoys biking, hiking, and loves taking time to read, or doing a special activity with her grandchildren. Donna became a board member because the mission of Bootstraps strengthens her beliefs and expectations to help individuals who need assistance in reaching their potential and life-time goals.
Donna and her husband, Bob, have been a part of the Evergreen community for 30 years where they raised their five children, several of whom were recipients of a Bootstraps Scholarship. She was educated at the University of Northern Colorado where she received a degree in Elementary Eduction, Communications, and a Masters degree in Reading. Donna is a retired Jefferson County teacher and is presently promoting and working at Evergreen Vision and Learning Center, where she is the head of the learning center. She enjoys biking, hiking, and loves taking time to read, or doing a special activity with her grandchildren. Donna became a board member because the mission of Bootstraps strengthens her beliefs and expectations to help individuals who need assistance in reaching their potential and life-time goals.
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."
Jeanette Robertson
Jeanette and her husband, Terry, have been a part of the Evergreen/Conifer Community for 28 years. Both of their children are Conifer High School graduates, their son receiving a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and their daughter a recipient of a Bootstraps scholarship. Jeanette graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a major in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Economics. She has worked in the field of mortgage banking and residential real estate for numerous years. Since moving to the community she has been very active as an athletic coach and as a volunteer member of several school district committees. She became a board member to give back to the community by providing opportunities to students wishing to further their vocational or college bound aspirations.
Jeanette and her husband, Terry, have been a part of the Evergreen/Conifer Community for 28 years. Both of their children are Conifer High School graduates, their son receiving a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and their daughter a recipient of a Bootstraps scholarship. Jeanette graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a major in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Economics. She has worked in the field of mortgage banking and residential real estate for numerous years. Since moving to the community she has been very active as an athletic coach and as a volunteer member of several school district committees. She became a board member to give back to the community by providing opportunities to students wishing to further their vocational or college bound aspirations.
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.”
