The staff and board of Teton Valley Community Recycling are excited to announce the addition of three new board members this February. While we will greatly miss the two dedicated board members, Ashley Koehler and Al Young, co-chairs of TVCR, who are stepping down after serving their terms, we are excited for the renewed energy and enthusiasm that comes with new board members. Thank you, Al and Ashley for all that you have done for TVCR, and welcome Dede Draper, Betsy Hawkins, and Steve Thomas.
Good-bye and Thank You Ashley and Al
Ashley’s service as a board member for Teton Valley Community Recycling worked to shape and propel not only the organization, but the future of waste diversion in Teton Valley. Ashley’s commitment to seeing the Waste Diversion Plan become a real community vision tied together years of grassroots recycling efforts which has effectively produced tangible waste division results that could rival urban city centers in this tucked away outpost on the edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ashely’s professionalism and work as a volunteer board member elevated the small non profit as her leadership helped navigate a turning point not only within TVCR, but in the community as well. Our board is endlessly grateful for her example and grace.
Al’s “straight to the point” attitude was a refreshing and much needed skill as a board member. She was clear in her vision, and clear in her feedback, skills that worked to keep the organization on task and always moving forward. She always followed through on what she said she would do and could be called upon in a pinch. Her efforts as a board member with Teton Valley Community Recycling were personal and that level of commitment reflective back in the success that TVCR enjoyed under her leadership.
Welcome Dede, Betsy and Steve
Dede Draper and her husband Mark Harbaugh moved to the Teton Valley area in 2004. They got into the weed grazing noxious weeds business and quickly improved their property, getting the leafy spurge under control. Dede makes willow furniture in her wood shop and facilitates business meetings at their ranch on the Fall River. She has been a board member of Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative since 2014 and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of working with the Cooperative to figure out the changing dynamics of the energy business.
Betsy Hawkins is a Tennessee native who serendipitously found her way to Teton Valley in 2016. Having been taught elements of environmentalism and conservation as a child, she naturally carried it into adulthood, and now strives to live a sustainable, low-waste lifestyle, alongside her husband and children. A registered nurse for many years, Betsy has worked in a variety of healthcare fields, earned a Masters in Nursing Education, and currently serves as a school nurse. Outside of work, she enjoys all aspects of the Teton Valley outdoors, and has learned that winters are much more fun with snow. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, researching new ideas, cooking, and hearing others imitate her Southern accent.
Steve Thomas has served in a number of positions that should fit well with the mission of Teton Valley Community Recycling. He is recently retired from the Sierra Club as the Western States Director for that organization supervising their activities and staff in the 12 Western States. He was responsible for raising funds for the budget for that region of the Sierra Club. He was also responsible for developing and managing that budget. Before working for the Sierra Club he was County Commissioner in Teton County Wyoming for two terms of office. He also owned and operated a grocery store in Jackson, Wyoming for 10 years. He also served as a lobbyist in the Wyoming Legislature for 14 years representing Teton County, Wyoming, the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition in that capacity. Since retirement he has lived in Teton Valley, Idaho and currently manages the Teton Valley Farmers Market.
See more about all of our board members and staff here. In May, we will be growing our board by two more new members, so if you are interested in making a difference in Teton Valley’s waste diversion goals, please contact us at tetonrecycling@gmail.com.
