Chad Warkentin, Materials Reuse Specialist

303.419.5418 • cwarkentin@resourcecentral.org

Conor Dougherty, (he/him) Zero Waste Manager

303.419.5418 x102 • cdougherty@resourcecentral.org

Conor joined Resource Central in August of 2021 as our Zero Waste Coordinator. Before joining Resource, he worked in the ski industry, the craft beer industry, and with a Boulder local start up on a regenerative agriculture and community building project called Boundless Landscapes. Conor holds a masters degree from Naropa University in Resilient Leadership. His academic work focused on sustainable systems development, non-violent communication, and environmental leadership. He is passionate about developing sustainable and resilient systems that allow communities to thrive in union with our natural world. In the winter you may find him shredding snowboards in Steamboat or riding backcountry on Berthoud pass. In the summer; dancing at bluegrass concerts and swimming in high alpine lakes. As Resource Central’s Zero Waste Coordinator, it is Conor’s goal to divert as much waste as possible and help situate Boulder as one of the nation’s leaders in zero waste efforts.

Courtney Smith, (she/her) Employee Success Manager

303.999.3820 x216 • csmith@resourcecentral.org

Courtney’s roots stem from Bourbonnais, Illinois, a small town an hour south of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2013 with her Bachelor’s in Environmental Communications and minors in Environmental systems, Animal Sciences and Food Sciences. Her ecological journey led to Costa Rica, where she worked in habitat conservation and helped raise numerous species of butterflies.  Upon her return, the voyage through F&B management ultimately reconvened with her environmental roots, leading her to the Resource Central team.  In her free time, you can find her camping in the beautiful mountains, enjoying live music, or spending time with her family.

Dave Codding, Materials Reuse Specialist

303.419.5418 • dcodding@resourcecentral.org

Hayden Bernot, (he/him) Water Conservation Coordinator

303-999-3820 X 224 • hbernot@resourecentral.org

Hayden is a sixth generation Colorado native. He comes to us with a degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and has many years of real-world experience in the green industry, leading teams and coordinating resources. He specialized in watershed science and sustainability and is eager to help Colorado and the fight against water scarcity. Along with his passion for Colorado’s natural resources, Hayden is an avid angler and enjoys getting out on the water as much as possible. In his free time you can catch him enjoying the outdoors, and exploring the great wonders our state has to offer.

Jamie Bledsoe, (he,him) Materials Reuse Specialist

303.419.5418 • jbledsoe@resourcecentral.org

Kate Larson, (she/her) Program Director, Water & Energy Programs

303.999.3820 x214 • klarson@resourcecentral.org

Kate joined Resource Central in June of 2009. Kate has a Marketing Degree from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Kate has a strong customer service and nonprofit management background. Through her experience she has gained an understanding of how education can empower a community to make sustainable choices. Kate’s passion for water conservation issues has led her to become a Colorado Master Gardener Certificate holder and develop expertise in irrigation auditing. In her spare time she enjoys running, biking, being outside, and spending time with her family.

Kaylee Riggi, (she/her)Water Conservation Specialist

303-999-3820 X 221 • kriggi@resourcecentral.org

Neal Lurie, (he/him) President & CEO

303.999.3820 x202 • nlurie@resourcecentral.org

Neal is a social entrepreneur with more than 20 years of leadership experience in Fortune 500, nonprofit, and grassroots organizations. As executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, he played a lead role in increasing solar energy use across the state, growing Colorado into one of the top solar states in the nation. He also served in leadership roles at national, state, and local nonprofits. Previously, he developed the vision and support to build the US 36 Bikeway, an 18-mile bike path from Boulder to Westminster. Neal received his MBA from CU’s Leeds School of Business and is a veteran of ten political campaigns. He enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and playing guitar.

Neka Sunlin, (she/her) Senior Program Coordinator

303.999.3820 X212 • nsunlin@resourcecentral.org

Neka joined Resource Central in 2016, bringing her professionalism and expertise to the Slow the Flow program from several different, unique fields. After receiving her BS in Marine Sciences from Texas A&M University, she worked as a biologist at a large aquarium, caring for many species of marine animals including fish, penguins and seals.  Her technical background includes work at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory where she trained astronauts to assemble the International Space Station. In addition to her passion for wildlife and the environment, she is a self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys fan. And while Texas is her home state, Neka has enthusiastically embraced Colorado, for it’s breathtaking scenery and culture that encourages an active lifestyle.  In her spare time, she enjoys biking, snowshoeing, and hiking with her dog.

Nick Law, (he,him) Zero Waste Coordinator

303.419.5418 • nlaw@resourcecentral.org

Phebe Taylor, (she/her) Water Programs Manager

303.999.3820 x236 • ptaylor@resourcecentral.org

Phebe is an east coast transplant with a Bachelors in Psychology and Art from Bucknell University. She then went on to pursue her massage therapist certification from Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Phebe most recently worked on local organic farms but also brings operations and project management experience from her 5+ years working for a local insurance company. You can find Phebe hiking, climbing, practicing martial arts, learning about plants and sewing. She is excited to work at Resource Central to collaborate with other passionate do-ers, partner with the local community and steward our valuable resources.

Shea Douglas, Materials Reuse Sales Associate

303.419.5418 • sdouglas@resourcecentral.org

Tara B. Wenger, (she/her) Business Manager

303.999.3820 x219 • twenger@resourcecentral.org

After graduating with her B.S. in Theatre Arts and a minor in Art from the University of Oregon, Tara went on to utilize her management skills at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts in Eugene, Oregon as the Venue Coordinator for their concert hall and music school facility. She then moved to Seattle and managed the office at Artech Fine Art Services. Tara is a Colorado native, and missed her family, so in 2011 moved back to her home state where she went from a project manager for a graphic design boutique in the RiNo District, to business managing for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  She loves camping and cars that scare rocks, is passionate about conserving our natural resources and loves dogs and music! It is an honor for her to be a part of, and support, such a dynamic and creative team here at Resource Central.

Tori Petersen, (she/her), Senior Water Programs Manager

303-999-3820 x213 • tpetersen@resourcecentral.org