Staff

Lara with her husband Brendan enjoying a day on the water.

The GRVLT Board named Lara Ryan as its new Executive Director in May 2005. She has lived in Wyoming for 10 years, and Lara came to Sublette County after nearly five years with the Jackson Hole Land Trust. During her time there, shealong with staff and board—worked with landowners to conserve important open space and wildlife habitat. During the last year, she served as Acting Director, and one of her main accomplishments was to reinvigorate the organization’s Conservation Buyer Program. The GRVLT has the same program, which serves to match landowners selling parcels with buyers interesting in purchasing and protecting those lands.

Land Trust President Tucker Smith said, "We are so pleased to welcome Lara, and her husband Brendan, to Sublette County, and we feel fortunate to be able to smoothly transition from one director to another. The Board was deliberate in its search, and Lara’s experience and commitment are precisely what we need at this stage in our organization’s growth. The Board and Staff are looking forward to the work she will do with landowners to help them achieve their goals."

"I am honored and proud to be associated with an organization that has done so much for this community," says Lara. "If you look around the rural West, it is easy to understand the importance of the GRVLT’s mission. I am eager to get to know and to learn from those that live here."

Lara graduated from the University of Colorado in 1995 and went on to graduate school at the University of Montana’s School of Forestry. She worked in Missoula for several years, and from there, she moved to Wyoming. Lara and her husband are avid anglers and also enjoy hiking, camping and spending time with their two dogs.

Land Program Director Jordan Vana

Jordan Vana has served as GRVLT's Land Program Director since 2004. Prior to joining GRVLT, Jordan worked as an attorney in Billings, Montana, where his practice focused on real estate, conservation, and estate planning for agricultural and business clients. Jordan currently oversees all aspects of GRVLT’s Land Protection Program, including easement acquisitions, conservation buyers, and stewardship. Originally from Michigan, Jordan graduated from Colgate University in 1996 and the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2002. He coaches with the Sublette County Ski and Snowboard Club, volunteers as a youth leader with St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church, and serves on the Pinedale Half Marathon Committee. He enjoys fly fishing, skiing, running and bird hunting.

Sarah riding her horse Nahta in the 2006 Rendezvous Parade

Originally from California, Sarah Dreizler has lived in Wyoming for nine years, and, in that time, has worked for the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Community Children’s Project. She enjoys exploring all this area has to offer with her horse and Jack Russell Terrier, but just spending time in the mountains is what she loves best.

"Sarah’s experience with both the business and non-profit worlds will help the organization tremendously. As a resident of Daniel, we will also benefit from her knowledge of the area. I am thrilled to be working with someone who is so well respected by those who know her. Sarah is a great addition to the GRVLT team," said Executive Director Lara Ryan. In an effort to better serve the community, one of the main areas of Sarah’s work will be focused on outreach. Land Trust President Tucker Smith said, "We are eager to make sure that local landowners and ranchers know that the GRVLT is a service organization, dedicated to offering a service to those that own land in Sublette County. We have been a resource for the many families with whom we’ve worked so far, and hope that we can help others as they look for ways to conserve their land – whether it be working ranchland or important wildlife habitat. Sublette County’s open spaces are part of what make this place so special to all of us."

When asked about her position, Sarah replied, "I am so happy to be involved with such a great group of people and am eager to begin cultivating new business and personal relationships in Sublette County, as well as getting more acquainted with the surrounding areas."

Among Sarah’s many tasks, she primarily focuses on work with the community and the organization’s supporters as the Outreach and Development Coordinator.

Laura with her husband Will and daughter Amelia

Laura Davenport joined the GRVLT team in October, 2006, after working as a bookkeeper many years. Having lived in Wyoming for 20 years she has “become deeply connected to its beauty and abundant wildlife and am thrilled to work with a group that strives to protect those assets.” Originally from Nashville, Tennessee and a graduate from the University of Alabama, Laura lives in Cora with her husband, Will, and their daughter Amelia.

Shelley with GRVLT Staff member Sarah Dreizler at the "Roping for Dummies" field trip.

Shelley Ferguson was born in Oregon, lived in California, and has been in Wyoming for 6 years. She has worked as a part-time intern for the GRVLT for more than a year. Shelley will soon graduate from Pinedale High School and plans to attend Casper College this fall. Shelley has three sisters, her favorite subject is science, and, when not studying or working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. When asked why she chose to intern with the GRVLT, Shelley said, “I like the people I work with, and I believe in what the organization does.”