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.

BRIAN RODINE | MKTG/EVENTS DirECTOR, Trailhead PRogram MANAGER

Brian learned to ski at Winter Park and Silver Creek as a toddler. He did a HS Senior Project on backcountry skiing that involved digging rutschblocks at Loveland Pass with a shovel purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. After finishing a marketing degree at CSU, his career began during a 4 year stint in Manhattan Beach with a focus on digital marketing, volleyball, and surfing. He returned to Vail in 2010 to work in ski industry marketing, eventually settling in Minturn and joining Friends of CAIC in 2019. He serves on the board of his local trails association, the VVMTA, and is an elected councilperson in Minturn. When not exploring on all types of skis, bikes, or plain old sneakers, he loves chasing around his wife and two daughters around and trying to read every book in the non-fiction section of the library.

SEAN TIFFANY |  Trailhead PRogram COORDINATOR, STATEWIDE

Sean grew up in Maryland in moved to Colorado in 2019. He worked as a snowmaker and wildland firefighter and hiked the Colorado Trail. In 2023 he began studying snow science at Colorado Mountain College in the Avalanche Science Program and joined Friends of CAIC's Trailhead Outreach Team. Sean's favorite thing to do is go skiing in the central mountains, and in the summers he likes to bike, paddleboard, backpack, and enjoy homecooked meals with his girlfriend.

MEREDITH KURTZ |  Trailhead PRogram COORDINATOR, SUMMIT/DILLON

Meredith is originally from the east coast and moved out to Colorado right after college in 2016. She has spent most of her adult life working at Arapahoe Basin as a snowmaker, heavy equipment operator, groomer, and trail crew member in the summer. She is currently studying avalanche science at CMC to help pursue a career as an avalanche forecaster and ski guide. When Meredith isn't digging pits and nerding out on snow grains she loves cross country skiing with her two dogs and spending as much time backpacking in the summer as possible.

FRIENDS OF CAIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SAM KILGORE | 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