Carrie Bennett
President
Like many native Coloradoans, Carrie Bennett was shocked and delighted to discover JUST how beautiful the open spaces around Laramie are and just how much fun it is to play here. She’s completely and equally smitten with Medicine Bow Peak and Vedauwoo and many points in between. Carrie and her husband moved to Laramie in the winter of 2017. She loves getting outside with her husband and two young kiddos. When she’s not wrangling the little people, Carrie is a facilitator and mediator (Learning Through Difference, LLC) who helps bring out the best in groups trying to make difficult decisions together.
Emily Parsons
Treasurer
Native Vermonter Emily Parsons grew up in a house her parents built, heated only with wood. Her father is a woodsman and her mother a successful entrepreneur. They grow a large portion of their own food. Emily found her way to Wyoming, working for the Forest Service on Wildland Fire Crews, where she met her husband. They started and own TigerTree, a forestry and tree care company in Laramie. With two children who need ample opportunities to dig and play in the dirt (for years and generations to come), Emily volunteers her time to build and fund the COG organization.
Willow Belden
Secretary
Willow Belden is the host and founder of Out There, an award-winning podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories in the outdoors. Before launching the podcast, she was a reporter and host at Wyoming Public Radio. Willow is an avid cross-country skier, mountain biker, and hiker, and she's conquering her fear of heights by learning to rock climb.
Ken Cramer
Vice President
Ken moved to Laramie over 40 years ago and established Cross Country Connection, a nordic ski and outdoor specialty shop. After 37 years, he sold the business and retired in 2018. Now he skis, hikes, bikes, and paddles as often as possible in between serving on boards, ski patrolling at the Snowy Range Ski Area and at cross-country ski races on the trails at Tie City. Taking care of public lands and maintaining access to recreation has always been his priority.
Sara GhezzI
Board Member
A native Floridian, Sara moved to Laramie during the winter of 2020 to teach at UW in the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management program. She moved to Laramie from Portland, Maine where she was teaching at the University of Southern Maine. She has always loved being outdoors and is looking forward to everything Laramie has to offer!
JD Dixon
Board Member
Having been in Albany County for over 45 years and raised a family here, JD has taught Physical Education in the rural schools while working as a ranch hand/foreman in southern Albany County. Recently retired (mostly), the has volunteered for various COG projects over the past few years, and is looking forward to continuing to give back to the land that he and his family have enjoyed over the years.
Annie Robbins
Board Member
Annie grew up in Steamboat Springs, CO and was an avid outdoors person during her youth. After graduating from college at the University of Colorado-Boulder, she moved back to Steamboat. In the winters she ski patrolled and in the summers she worked with horses; everything from teacher to horsepacker. She began her graduate school career at Teton Science School in Kelly, WY. She finished her Masters of Natural Science Education with an emphasis in Outdoor Education at UW in 2015. She has fallen in love with Laramie and the outdoor public spaces that surround it. She is excited to be a new member of the COG board and help the organization continue the wonderful work they do for our outdoor community!
Sara Brodnax
Board Member
Sara has focused her career on conservation policy, including her current role working for National Audubon Society as the Director of Public Lands Policy. Sara lives in Laramie so that she can spend as much time as possible in wide open landscapes with her husband and young son.
Sam Farstad
Board Member
Sam was born and raised in Wyoming. He left after college for commercial construction pursuits in Steamboat and Winter Park (where he also found time to ski and bike). After meeting his wife, they moved to Laramie and have two children who both love to play outside; now the whole family can ski and bike together.
Nicole Foss
Program Manager /Volunteer Coordinator
Nicole came to Laramie from Colorado in 2016 to pursue her BA in English at UW, and has lived here ever since. She grew up camping with her family and credits her love of the mountains to those trips. Nicole is a dedicated plant parent, writer, downhill skier, artist, gardener, and local forager. She is excited to bring her writing skills to the nonprofit scene, and facilitate the enjoyment of Wyoming’s beautiful public lands.