Meet Our Board
Victor Ketellapper Chair
Victor Ketellapper moved to Colorado in 1984 to explore the Rocky Mountains through hiking, skiing and backpacking. Since moving to Colorado, Victor has explored Colorado and developed a passion for preserving and restoring our wild places.
Victor’s professional experience has focused on finding solutions to complex environmental problems through multiple stakeholder involvement. He developed this expertise by leading cleanups at Superfund Sites, guiding watershed assessment and restoration projects to improve water quality, supporting efforts for Good Samaritans to reclaim orphaned mine sites, and safely repurposing hazardous waste sites.
Victor earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California at Davis, a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from California State University at Northridge and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Victor currently lives in Grand Junction with his wife, Terra. During his free time, you can find Victor hiking, backpacking, playing pickleball, or at the beach.
Danni Langdon Vice Chair
Danni’s background is in environmental science and ranch management. She has resided for 24 years in a rammed earth house on Glade Park that she and Carl built mostly themselves. Pastimes include hiking, biking, skiing, reading, advocating for wildlands, and enjoying her Border collies. The proximity of their property to the Monument (which they border) deepens Danni’s passion for the Monument and the ever-increasing need for protection of its beauty and resources.
Rich Rodenbeck Treasurer
Rich retired to Colorado in 2021 fulfilling a life long desire to take advantage of the outdoor activities the Western Slope has to offer. Rich is a former triathlete but since moving to the area has focused on road cycling. Rich also enjoys hiking and is looking forward to adding a number of new activities to his list of hobbies.
Rich’s professional experience focused on accounting, finance and operations. Rich held a variety of positions in manufacturing, banking, economic development, data management and consulting. In fact, Rich is working to rebuild his consulting practice here in the Grand Valley.
Rich earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Kentucky University and an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Rich is currently working on an Executive Certificate in Finance from Northwestern.
Rich served on a number of boards in Wisconsin and is very grateful to be able to support an organization that is dedicated to preserving our natural heritage for future generations. Rich currently lives in Grand Junction with his fiancé, Shirley and their two cats… Spooky and Freyja.
Melinda Shishim Secretary
Melinda is an attorney working for the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. She received her JD from Vermont Law School, and a BA in English from Fort Lewis College where she was a member of the road cycling team. She loves to travel and recently got engaged in Guatemala. She and her fiance have a cat and are awaiting the arrival of their new rescue pup.
Sue Conry Member
Sue Conry is a Colorado native and a twenty-six year resident of Mesa County. She moved to Grand Junction for a new job opportunity in 1997. What she thought would be a three-year stay has become her forever hometown due to her love of the high desert and year-round opportunities including hiking, exploring slot canyons, snowshoeing, rafting and gardening.
Sue is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with degrees in Recreation and Business Administration. She has over 35 years of not-for-profit leadership and management experience, including leading the local Girl Scout Council for ten years prior to working for Hilltop Community Resources. All of her professional experience has included providing opportunities for helping people of all ages and abilities improve or enhance their lives. Sue brings expertise and perspective for both the governance and the operational side of not-for-profits and is able to merge her passion for our beautiful Colorado National Monument, nonprofit leadership and community board experience together.
Sue is a life-long outdoor enthusiast and has a strong passion for supporting and utilizing our National Parks and Monuments, State Parks and other Public Lands and encouraging others to do the same for future generations.
Sue is an active community volunteer, currently serving as a Mesa County Public Library District Trustee, Mesa County Public Library Foundation Member and her President of her HOA. She has also served on the Hilltop Community Resources and HopeWest boards and is a member of the Girl Scouts of Colorado Women of Distinction planning committee.
Sue lives in the Redlands with Vicki, her wife of 26 years, and their two dogs, Chaco and Bodie.
Jessica Hamlin Member
Jessica Hamlin recently relocated to the Grand Valley from Anchorage, Alaska, to be near family who live in the area. She’s been visiting Grand Junction for about 16 years and each trip involved time spent hiking and exploring the breathtaking Colorado National Monument.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations with a minor in tourism management from Central Washington University. A communications and administrative professional, she has nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, writing/storytelling, advertising, event promotion, team management, and corporate governance.
Jessica and her husband Mark live in Fruita and have two children. Her family stays active through youth sports, camping, downhill skiing, kayaking, and visiting national parks and monuments. She feels fortunate to be raising her family in a vibrant community surrounded by the natural beauty of the “red rocks.”
Debbie Kovalik Member
Debbie is a third generation Colorado Native, born in Denver, Colorado, graduated from The University of Northern Colorado and has worked in Television Media as a journalist, in marketing and advertising and began a career in Destination Marketing in Colorado Springs in 1985. In January of 1990, Debbie was hired as the First Executive Director of the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau and served in that Leadership Roll for the City of Grand Junction for 28 years, until her Retirement in early 2018.
Working in Colorado Travel and Tourism for over 33 years, Debbie has first hand experience understanding the significant role that our National Parks, Monuments and US Forests play in the State’s Economy!
The Colorado National Monument continues to be a critical asset for the Grand Valley, Western Colorado and Visitors from around the Globe!
Ken Kreie Member
Ken is a lifetime Grand Valley resident. He graduated from Central High School and Colorado Mesa University. He spent 15 years doing environmental and engineering work for the oil and gas industry. Currently, he works for the Department of Energy managing sites in Mississippi, Nevada, Wyoming and Washington.
Ken has been married to his wife, Rachelle, for over 25 years, and they have two children. They have lived in Fruita since 2006.
In addition to currently serving on Fruita City Council, Ken also serves or has served on several boards including President of the Orchard Valley West HOA, the Elmwood Lateral Ditch Board, the City of Fruita Downtown Advisory Board, the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce Energy and Economic Development Committee, and the Colorado Mesa University Unconventional Energy Center Advisory Committee.
Ken coordinates and promotes concerts, comedy, and cultural events at the local performing arts venue in Downtown Fruita called Cavalcade. He helped start Cavalcade in 2011 and emcee our variety show that takes place the second Saturday of every month.
Ken Mabery Member
Ken Mabery retired from a 43-year career with the U.S. National Park Service in 2019. He served in 14 NPS units, two Regional Offices and the central NPS Office in Washington DC. He served over 20 years as a Park Manger/Superintendent, retiring while serving at Colorado National Monument.
Among his proudest accomplishments was Technical Editor for “Ranger,” the journal for the Association of National Park Rangers (10 years), editing a natural history book, and author of the introduction chapter for a scholarly volume on the history of geologic resource management in the NPS. Between 2003 and 2019 Ken lead 16 teams to Georgia (the country), and served as Senior Advisor for the program for six years, managing an additional 18 teams. He Holds Degrees in Geology and International Relations. He and his wife Jeannie love living in the Grand Valley and exploring the many outdoor wonders of the area
Mark Swain Member
Mark is the President of Networks Unlimited. He founded the company in 2001 after years in the technology industry. Mark has lived in Maryland, Spain, Washington DC, Germany, California, South Dakota, and Mississippi as a military brat. He met his wife Amy, a Grand Junction local, in college. After living in Seattle for a few years, they decided Grand Junction was a better place to raise their family. In his free time, you can find Mark hunting, mountain biking, snowboarding, and spending time with his family and friends. He is also a fantastic chef, who shares his gift with NU’s staff by cooking up breakfast and lunch when they’re good.
Terri Wenzlaff Member
Terri grew up on a farm outside of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and after completing a Bachelor Degree moved west to Wyoming to be a high school teacher and eventually a High School Principal. After completing a Master’s Degree and Doctorate she landed in Gunnison, Colorado by way of Fargo, North Dakota. At Western Colorado University she was a Professor training teachers and school administrators and in the years prior to retirement in 2013 was an Associate Vice-President in Academic Affairs. During her time in Gunnison she was on the RE1J School Board, Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley Board, Arts Center Board, and a hospice volunteer.
Upon retiring Dr. Wenzlaff relocated to the Grand Valley to enjoy year-round hiking and cycling as well as staying a bit warmer in the winter and shoveling a lot less snow! Terri is a Trail Ambassador at the Colorado National Monument and absolutely loves the breath-taking beauty and solitude that the Monument offers. Other than hiking and cycling she engages in other volunteer activities in Grand Junction as well as reading and traveling.
Call or Visit
1750 RIM ROCK DR.
FRUITA, CO 81521
970-858-3617 x307