Friends of CAIC STAFF

AARON CARLSON | Executive Director

Aaron Carlson is the Executive Director of Friends of CAIC, a nonprofit supporting avalanche safety across Colorado. Under his leadership, the organization has become a crucial resource for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), raising funds for avalanche forecasting, educational programs, and public awareness. Aaron launched his career with the friends through the annual CAIC Benefit Bash, which has grown into a major fundraiser. He has a B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah. His experience and leadership focus on bridging funding gaps and sustaining vital programs. Through strategic vision, fundraising expertise, and dedicated advocacy, his work supports keeping Colorado’s backcountry safe. When he’s not working, Aaron cherishes time in the mountains with his two boys, sharing his love of the outdoors and the mountains of Colorado.

KATIE THIBIDEAU | DEVELOPMENT Director

Katie grew up in Michigan, where she first developed a love for skiing, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors. After earning her BBA from the University of Michigan, she moved to Colorado in 2017. Katie brings 8+ years of nonprofit development experience to Friends of CAIC and is pursuing her MBA from CU-Boulder. When she’s not on the slopes or in the backcountry, you can find her hiking, biking, and continuing to explore Colorado with family and friends.

KIA SODEN | DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Originally from Missouri, Kia moved to Colorado in 2021, and immediately called the state home. She is an adventure enthusiast with a passion for everything the mountains have to offer. As a graduate from Missouri State University with her degree in Exercise and Movement Science, she has 9+ years of experience in outdoor recreation. In her free time, Kia can be found trail running, rock climbing, snowboarding, or just relaxing with her husband, dog, and friends.

TODD GILMAN | PARTNERSHIP OFFICER

Todd chased his dirtbag dreams in the ’90s, ditching college to ski, bike, and paddle in Ketchum, ID—when “ski bum” was still a viable life plan. He honed his mountain skills across CO and the PNW while turning passion into profession. A longtime marketing leader in the outdoor industry, he now manages Partnerships for the Friends. Off the clock, he’s active in his local community as Planning Commissioner, trail builder, pizza chef, and proud roommate of a spunky cattle dog with terrible breath.

ELI DAVIS | MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

When professional skiing didn’t work out, Eli turned to professional wordsmithing (about skiing). Eli joined the Friends ahead of the 2025/26 winter with nearly a decade of marketing and communications experience across nonprofits, sports, and outdoor industry events. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a journalism degree, he made his way west for some historic winters in Utah’s Wasatch mountains before settling along Colorado’s Front Range with his wife and pup. You can find Eli exploring on two planks or two wheels, rooting for his beloved Orioles, Ravens, and Terps, fermenting bubbly concoctions in the kitchen, and honing his campfire guitar skills. And he almost made it through this whole bio without telling you that he teles.

TAYLOR NELSON | DEVELOPMENT AND EVENTS COORDINATOR

After a few years of working seasonal hospitality jobs to finish college while climbing rocks as much as he could, Taylor settled in Colorado in 2016 to open his own catering business. He started his outdoor career at the REI Denver Flagship store and went on to La Sportiva North America before joining Friends of CAIC. Originally a beach kid from South Carolina, he did not grow up skiing but now considers alpine touring his main outdoor pursuit. When he's not on the trail, you can find him in his home music studio.

EMERSON LAMANSKY | TRAILHEAD PROGRAM COORDINATOR, STATEWIDE

Growing up in Colorado, Emerson is an avid lover of all outdoor activities. While her passion for nature has moved her to North Carolina and Alaska, she is stoked to be returning and calling Colorado home. A recent college graduate with a degree in business administration and outdoor education, she is excited to be part of Friends of CAIC outreach program. In her free time, she can be found snowboarding, climbing, or attempting to fish.

ANNIE NIKOLAUS | TRAILHEAD PROGRAM COORDINATOR, SUMMIT/DILLON

Born and raised in Colorado, Annie discovered her love for the outdoors at an early age. After earning her degree in Environmental Studies from CU Boulder, Annie spent time working seasonally as a guide helping get others outside and eventually made the move to a ski town to immerse herself in the heart of the mountain community. Since then, she has worked with various nonprofits dedicated to promoting conservation, sustainability and outdoor recreation. When she’s not working, you can find her skiing, climbing, hiking, or scheming up her next big outdoor adventure. This winter, she is looking forward to connecting with the backcountry community at trailheads across Summit County.

FRIENDS OF CAIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SAM KILlGORE | BOARD CHAIR

Sam has always loved long sunny days in the mountains, which is why in 2009 she traded the drizzle of Washington state for the sunshine of Colorado. Now based in Summit County, she takes full advantage of the trails, backcountry skiing, and gold medal trout streams right outside her door.With a career focused on marketing and communications, Sam has a passion for working with scrappy mission-driven organizations that seek to make a difference protecting the natural world. She joined the Friends of CAIC Board of Directors in 2020, eager to help support avalanche forecasting and education in Colorado’s backcountry. In late 2024, she was honored to be voted in as Board Chair, where she works to amplify the Friend’s efforts to keep the Colorado’s backcountry community educated and safe.When she’s not hiding behind a laptop, you’ll find her backcountry skiing, fly fishing, MTN biking, or trail running with her husband, Jason, and their two wildly energetic Blue Heelers, Daku and Skaði. 

BILL MUELLER | VICE CHAIR

Bill grew up in Colorado and began volunteering with the CAIC doing fieldwork while in college at CU. After getting some ‘real world’ experience with a variety of businesses in the outdoor industry, Bill joined the FoCAIC board back in 2019 and stepped into the Vice Chair role in 2024. Currently living in Boulder with his family and pack of dogs – you’re likely to find him on the skin track, magic carpet at eldo or the local single track. Outside of family Bill enjoys BOD roles with a number of outdoor brands, growing too many things in his garden and land conservation efforts in Grand County, CO.

NATHANIEL PEARSON | BOARD TREASURER

"Nate grew up and learned to snowboard in New England. He moved to Colorado in 2009 to attend Colorado College, where he earned a degree in Environmental Policy. Nate has worked for the State of Colorado for over a decade and has held multiple roles advising on natural resources and environmental policy and finance. He currently serves as Assistant Director for Water Policy at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Policy Advisor to Governor Jared Polis. In the winter and spring, Nate spends his free time snowboarding, splitboarding, and skate skiing. When there isn’t snow on the ground, Nate is a passionate hiker, backpacker, runner, and native plant enthusiast. "

ALLISON DONOVAN | BOARD SECRETARY

Bio coming soon!

Markian Feduschak | BOARD MEMBER

Throughout his career in outdoor education, Markian has focused on leadership development, effective team building, staff training, and risk management. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Colorado and resides in Eagle with his wife and two daughters.

JONATHAN LANTZ | BOARD MEMBER

Jonathan is the President of La Sportiva North America based in Boulder, CO and has worked at La Sportiva since 1996. He has lived in Nederland, CO for 30 years where he has raised two sons and enjoyed an amazing community of like-minded people. He is a well-known local in the Eldora ski community and his passion is backcountry skiing, climbing, trail running, and mountain biking. Jonathan gets into the Indian Peaks Wilderness as much as possible and is always ready to bolt to the coast for some surfing.

RUSTY PERRY | BOARD MEMBER

Rusty fled NY and its humidity and small mountains for CU Boulder in 1987. But for a brief lapse in judgement when he went back to NYC for his first year of law school intending to become a responsible adult, he’s been planted in CO ever since. He’s been skiing the CO backcountry since the 80s and helping support avalanche forecasting and education for the past two decades. Rusty’s ADD has led him to start, run and sell a variety of companies, develop real estate, practice law and now focuses on helping companies scale by implanting EOS and providing business development for funds and firms. His only tangible skills are eating, drinking and skiing so most of the time you can find him at happy hour or wandering around the mountains and the world with his wife and random dogs.

MEGHAN TWOHIG | BOARD MEMBER

Meghan is passionate about the backcountry, both in her career and personal life. She has worked for the mapping app CalTopo since May 2020 and currently handles recreational training, partnerships and marketing. Prior to CalTopo, she earned a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut and worked in a variety of fields, including as a high school teacher, EMT, and mountain bike coach. Meghan volunteers with Vail Mountain Rescue Group where she serves as the assistant director of Operations and specializes in technical rope rescues, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling, and navigation. She also volunteers as a hoist rescue tech on the Colorado Hoist Rescue Team, working alongside the Colorado Army National Guard to perform technical helicopter rescues through the state of Colorado. In her free time, Meghan enjoys exploring the mountains in all seasons outside her home in Minturn, CO, and beyond.

AARON
CARLSON

EX OFFICIO
 

ETHAN GREENE

NON VOTING
CAIC LIASON 

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

DaVID W.
CLARK

Brent
BROWN

BRUCE "EDGE" EDGERLY

ALAN
HENCEROTH

EMILY
CURRAY

KNOX
WILLIAMS