Equipo Esencial

Jack has been with REC since 2018 and has been a part of the team that helped grow REC's services. He has worked with our secondary programming team, served as our programming director, and then transitioned to vice president of programming and operations. Before coming to REC he has worked in the nonprofit world both in his hometown and with a two-year stint in Panama with the Peace Corps. Jack feels he can benefit our students holistically by giving them the opportunity to connect to the outdoors in the beautiful spaces we have around us here in the Grand Valley.

Landen is from Grand Junction and graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2019 with a degree in economics and a minor in accounting. Since he enjoyed working with kids, a friend convinced him to work as a REC tutor while studying at CMU. The rest is history. Landen agreed to transition onto our administrative team after graduation. Landen and his accounting skills have been invaluable to REC.

Susette was born in the Philippines and moved to Grand Junction in 1993. She has ties to REC through her family and has always believed in the importance of academics as the foundation for success in life. Susette’s organizational skills and calm approach to solving any problem make her invaluable at REC.

Crystal is a native of Antonito, Colorado, and has lived in Grand Junction since 2013. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MBA in Public Administration from Adams State University. Crystal was introduced to REC in 2021 when her daughter joined REC as a first grader.

Miranda was born in Casper, WY and moved to Western Colorado when she was 3 and never left. Her and her husband have 5 boys between the two of them and their mini dachshunds. She enjoys spending time off-roading, camping, and watching her boys play all the sports they participate in. She graduated from Colorado Technical University in November 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Human Resource Management. Miranda has been with REC for a year and a half, before her time at REC she was an Early Childhood Director and teacher since 2011. She has always enjoyed the educational field and felt a passion to earn a degree in HR to help support the amazing educators that we work with.

Jan is a retired D51 Elementary Teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience in grades K-3. She has a Master's Degree in Reading and considers herself a lifelong learner. Jan started with REC in 2018 as a Program Manager at Rocky Mtn. Elementary School and was in this role for 3 years until moving into the role of Elementary Program Director. Jan is committed to making a positive impact in students' lives by providing a structure for high quality programs that enrich students' lives and help them grow academically.

Cari and Pam share the role of secondary program director and have worked together for years. Cari grew up in Grand Junction and is a retired middle school ELA teacher. Pam grew up in Iowa and has lived in Grand Junction for the past 36 years. She is also a retired middle school music and social studies teacher. They have a combined total of 60 years teaching for District 51 and are committed to helping all students become active learners and citizens.

Hannah is from Bloomington, Indiana, where she graduated from Indiana University. She has been a swim instructor, a ski instructor (in Germany!), a Girl Scout leader, and a youth program manager at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. New to the Grand Valley, Hannah enjoys creating community and is excited to combine academics and hands-on, outdoor learning in her work at REC.

Ashley began her journey with REC as a tutor at Orchard Mesa Middle School in 2019. Then, she moved into the role of site program assistant for two years before assuming her current position as Enrichment Coordinator in 2023. Born and raised in Grand Junction, Ashley’s 15 years of experience in various educational and out-of-school-time programs and a degree from South Dakota State University have fueled her passion for helping students succeed. Ashley draws on her strong foundation to make a difference in the lives of students and is thrilled to play a part in building the enrichment program here at REC.