Verde Staff Bios
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Kristin Carpenter-Ogden – Founder, CEO Kristin Carpenter-Ogden founded Verde PR & Consulting from a decade-long journalism career, working on staff for major consumer lifestyle magazines, business and trade titles. Over the past nine years, Verde has become well known as an agency known for strong results that drive sales for clients, and a highly creative, service-oriented approach to integrated brand communications. As director of strategy for Verde’s clients, the agency and its divisions, Kristin leads business development at Verde. She also launched the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice and is pursuing an MBA in sustainable business practices from Green Mountain College in Vermont. Kristin has lived in Durango since 1994. She enjoys outdoor pursuits with her husband, Jared, their two kids, Tobin and Bella, and Neve the Malamute. |
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Anna Peterson - Director of Human Resources Anna Peterson, Verde's Director of Human Resources and Operations Manager joined the Verde team in July 2011. Anna has a BA in Art, Political Science and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and a Masters of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. Anna has worked on corporate social responsibility, human rights, immigration, public health, wilderness, 1872 mining law reform, climate change, renewable energy, forest and roadless campaigns for over ten years. Anna has been fortunate to live in many of the West's best mountain towns and currently lives in Durango, Colorado with her husband Tim and dog Greta. When not striving to keep Verde organized and working on corporate accountability campaigns, Anna enjoys politics, exploring the West, gardening, sunshine, traveling, hiking, swimming, hot springs, art work, camping and other activities that allow her to spend time outdoors |
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Aubrey Volger- Account Coordinator Wolf Creek is her home mountain. Fort Lewis is where she earned alumni status (Bachelor of Arts for management and marketing). She likes to shred single track on her mountain bike. Spending time in the wilderness is her real world. Someday she’d like to discover an intimacy with ocean living. Aubrey is an account coordinator who brings a passion for life and business to the Verde family. |
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Claire Rabun – Account Manager After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2009, Claire packed up her car and made the trek across the Mason-Dixon line, through cow-and-corn country, and finally on to the happiest place on Earth, Jackson, WY. With more than a few rivers run, trails explored, nights spent at the Caddi and almost a year of mountain fun under her belt, she took a brief stint back down South to begin her career in communications. Claire joined Verde and returned to Jackson in September 2010 to bring her passions for the outdoors and public relations together at long last. |
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Courtney Brunkow - Account Coordinator A born and raised Colorado Native, Courtney graduated from the University of Colorado in May 2010. With several internships behind her, she brings with her a background in both the LOHAS and fitness industries and a passion for all things public relations. When not at work, Courtney is a self-proclaimed sports addict, who enjoys running, playing volleyball, and hiking with her dog, |
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Craig Randall – Account Manager Craig has climbed the ranks at Verde starting as an intern while in school at Fort Lewis College, as an account coordinator after graduating, and presently as an account manager for the agency’s bike and paddlesports’ clients. Craig has developed skills and experience with new media strategy and as a freelance writer for several local and national cycling publications. He currently resides in Boulder, CO where he continues to road and mountain bike race, collect new and rare music, and enjoy the sporting and cultural offerings of this university town. |
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Dave Simpson – Senior Account Executive An account manager at Base Camp Communications since 2003, Dave Simpson brings a personal interest in outdoor sports and travel, an inside perspective on the media and the outdoor industry, a passable ability to tune a pair of skis and a severe coffee addiction to his current role at Verde PR. In his free time (or for work when he can occasionally get away with it), Dave enjoys backcountry skiing, climbing, cycling, hiking, backpacking and travel. And helicopters. His newest pursuit is helping his daughter Marisa learn to enjoy the outdoors. |
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Jonathan Gang - Account Coordinator Jonathan Gang was born in Boston and raised in the hills of Western Massachusetts (go sox!). He came to Colorado in 2006 to attend Colorado College in Colorado Springs (go tigers!), where he studied snowboarding and anthropology. He wrangled a job at Verde while rowing boats in Durango for the summer. With him he brought experience as a freelance journalist and collector of more gear than can fit in the trunk of an Outback. He enjoys clam chowder, single-planking, harmonicas, long walks uphill, Edward Abbey, campfires, and punk rock. |
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Julie Evans – Senior Account Executive Julie joined Verde in April 2004, and has worked extensively on a wide variety of accounts in the outdoor, snowsports, bike and fitness markets during her tenure. She has an affinity for southern hospitality, which is why she moved back to her hometown in Louisville, Kentucky after spending years in Colorado. That and Triple Crown Thoroughbred Racing. Prior to joining the team at Verde, Julie served as a senior reporter for a trade publication covering the beauty industry. Julie enjoys mountain biking, hiking, skiing, yoga, and being outdoors with her husband, two daughters and their dog. |
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Julie Snider-Popp – Senior Account Manager Aside from frequenting Internet forums, social blogs, wikis and podcasts, Julie enjoys spending time with her family in the San Juan Mountains, as well as hiking, snowboarding and water sports. |
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Keith Cozzens – Account Manager Born on the tough streets of New York City, Keith (AKA Da Cuz) was raised 20 miles east of the city in Long Island in a much gentler atmosphere filled with sports, Sunday family dinners, driving convertibles, chasing cheerleaders and drinking lots of milk (no joke). Friends and the mountains eventually lured Keith to Jackson, WY in 2001. Eight years later, he’s served and bussed a few tables, schlepped gear, made a rap video, scaled some peaks, ran some rivers, rode some bikes, snowboarded some terrain, ran some trails, moved four times, had a few late-nights at the Stagecoach, learned about the media and freelanced for a handful of outdoor mag. |
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Lisa Mullen - Senior Account Executive Lisa's passion for the outdoors led her to Verde in January 2010 after working as a public relations specialist in the LOHAS industry. Leading the 'Boulder office' for Verde, she's brought her expertise in media relations and brand strategy to a variety of outdoor accounts. Lisa's PR philosophy brings out-of-the-box ideas to clients while providing tangible results. |
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Mary Jane Carroll – Account Manager After a globe-trotting adventure following graduation from the University of Colorado, MJ circled back to her native Durang-a-tang stomping grounds. MJ joined Verde in March ’09 and helped establish the Account Coordinator Division at Verde. MJ’s passions for skiing powder days, mountain biking in the desert, hiking with her dog, writing, travel and an eagerness for knowledge and adventure, make for a perfect match at Verde. |
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Nick Chambers – Account Coordinator Never one to stay anywhere for too long, Nick studied English and Creative Writing at Colorado College where he learned the true meaning of the word “powder” and became infatuated with the vertical realm of rockclimbing. He brings a burning passion for mountain shenanigans to his daily duties at Verde PR. |
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Craig Ray – Digital and Social Media Marketing Director Craig joined the Verde team in October 2011 and manages all client social media and digital marketing programs. Craig brings a deep, results-driven understanding of technology and corporate marketing processes from the client side with more than a decade in software and consumer marketing management roles, including outdoor recreation. Most recently he held the Marketing Manager role at Confluence Watersports, parent company to the largest and most well-known canoe, kayak and accessory brands in the world. Craig has extensive expertise in social/digital media programs, product launch plans, eCommerce platforms, project management, content/messaging and project management. He is an active hiker, runner and kayaker that loves gadgets. He currently resides in Durango, Colorado. |
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Sarah Steinwand – Account Coordinator Sarah Steinwand grew up amongst the mountains of Boulder, Colorado and found a passion for them at a young age. After graduating from CU in 2005, she decided the “real world” could wait because all she wanted to do was snowboard. After spending six years in Crested Butte and gaining Marketing experience with Burton and Mountain Sports International, she joined the Verde team in Durango. She lives for deep powder days on her splitboard, shredding single track on her mountain bike, growing vegetables in her garden, and hiking with her dog Homie. |
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Tessa Sibbet - Account Coordinator A love for the outdoors and adventure sports was instilled in Tessa Sibbet at a young age. Growing up in California, Tahoe was a common playground for Tessa’s family, and they spent time camping, bike riding or skiing depending on the season. When Tessa left for college, her family moved to a small town in the Sierra foothills along the American River. The main industry there is river rafting, so Tessa went to guide school and began working summers as a guide on rivers all over California. After graduating from UCLA, she worked for rafting companies doing social media, PR, marketing, and SEO. Working remotely from ski towns (Salt Lake, Tahoe, and Jackson), Tessa was able to ski often and work in ski shops on the side. She spent the off seasons kayaking, surfing, playing music, and traveling in foreign countries. Her career as a river guide during the summers continued, taking her to Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona, but Jackson was calling Tessa’s name. She is excited to be back in Jackson, working with an awesome team at Verde and combining her passions: writing, marketing, adventure sports, and the outdoor industry
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