Greenway Staff
Jeff Shoemaker - Executive Director
jeff@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 818-8078
Since 1982, Jeff Shoemaker has been the Executive Director of The Greenway Foundation (TGF). Under the course of his leadership, TGF has partnered with countless public and private organizations to collectively create over $500 Million of environmental and recreational improvements along the South Platte River and its numerous tributaries throughout the Metro Denver Area and beyond. These priceless amenities include the watersheds of the City and County of Denver, along with Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas and Jefferson Counties, as well as a larger number of related municipalities. This collective investment over the last four decades to the reclamation and preservation of the related community’s greatest natural resources is directly connected to the creation of over $20 Billion of additional economic development and related benefit to the surrounding area. Our Metro Denver Area’s waterways are now home to over 100 miles of multi-use recreational trails, over 100 acres of parks and natural areas and over 100,000 A.F. of rivers and creeks in terms of both water quality and water quantity enhancements.
TGF has also created and oversees the most recognized award-winning Environmental Education Program in Colorado – SPREE (South Platte River Environmental Education). In addition, TGF has been the vision behind the creation of an innovative initiative to engage the private, public and political communities in critical water quality and water quantity policy issues - TWC (The Water Connection). Finally, TGF engages in numerous cultural and community events, along with a variety of youth employment opportunities, all focused on engaging the Metro Denver community (and beyond) with their greatest natural resources – our urban and regional waterways.
In November, 2018, Jeff served on the Executive Committee of Denver’s successful Ballot Measure 2A which secured over $35 Million/year for Denver’s Parks and Waterways. He also served as the Chair of Metro Denver’s successful Ballot Measure 7G which secured over $20 Million/year for the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.
Since 2000, Jeff has also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Parks Foundation (CPF) which, working with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) as well as numerous county, municipal and non-profit organizations, provides funding, advocacy and community outreach for the benefit of Colorado’s 42 State Parks along with local and regional parks across the State of Colorado. To date, the CPF has provided over $1,000,000 of project and program based grants since its inception in 1985. In 2010, the CPF coordinated the procedural and legislative processes resulting in the creation of a Colorado State Parks License Plate, allowing supporters of State Parks across Colorado and beyond to promote and advocate that support through the purchase of a State Parks Plate. Over 3,500 Colorado residents are now proud owners of the Colorado State Parks Plate with related proceeds providing additional financial support to Colorado State Parks which, to date, has witnessed over $20,000 of grants to State Parks across Colorado.
Jeff is a proud graduate of Denver Public Schools and the University of Colorado. He was a public school teacher from 1977-1982, served as a member of the Colorado Legislature from 1987-1992 and was appointed to two terms on the CSU Board of Trustees from 1999-2008. Jeff was appointed to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees in 2016 and also serves as the President of a local non-profit organization, Up Close and Musical, which provides professional performances of classical music to elementary schools by Colorado Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Jeff and his wife Nancy (a recently retired R.N., now the owner of Care By Design, LLC – providing care and engagement for seniors throughout the Metro Denver area) are active runners and bicyclists and are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two exceedingly beautiful and extremely intelligent granddaughters.
jeff@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 818-8078
Since 1982, Jeff Shoemaker has been the Executive Director of The Greenway Foundation (TGF). Under the course of his leadership, TGF has partnered with countless public and private organizations to collectively create over $500 Million of environmental and recreational improvements along the South Platte River and its numerous tributaries throughout the Metro Denver Area and beyond. These priceless amenities include the watersheds of the City and County of Denver, along with Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas and Jefferson Counties, as well as a larger number of related municipalities. This collective investment over the last four decades to the reclamation and preservation of the related community’s greatest natural resources is directly connected to the creation of over $20 Billion of additional economic development and related benefit to the surrounding area. Our Metro Denver Area’s waterways are now home to over 100 miles of multi-use recreational trails, over 100 acres of parks and natural areas and over 100,000 A.F. of rivers and creeks in terms of both water quality and water quantity enhancements.
TGF has also created and oversees the most recognized award-winning Environmental Education Program in Colorado – SPREE (South Platte River Environmental Education). In addition, TGF has been the vision behind the creation of an innovative initiative to engage the private, public and political communities in critical water quality and water quantity policy issues - TWC (The Water Connection). Finally, TGF engages in numerous cultural and community events, along with a variety of youth employment opportunities, all focused on engaging the Metro Denver community (and beyond) with their greatest natural resources – our urban and regional waterways.
In November, 2018, Jeff served on the Executive Committee of Denver’s successful Ballot Measure 2A which secured over $35 Million/year for Denver’s Parks and Waterways. He also served as the Chair of Metro Denver’s successful Ballot Measure 7G which secured over $20 Million/year for the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.
Since 2000, Jeff has also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Parks Foundation (CPF) which, working with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) as well as numerous county, municipal and non-profit organizations, provides funding, advocacy and community outreach for the benefit of Colorado’s 42 State Parks along with local and regional parks across the State of Colorado. To date, the CPF has provided over $1,000,000 of project and program based grants since its inception in 1985. In 2010, the CPF coordinated the procedural and legislative processes resulting in the creation of a Colorado State Parks License Plate, allowing supporters of State Parks across Colorado and beyond to promote and advocate that support through the purchase of a State Parks Plate. Over 3,500 Colorado residents are now proud owners of the Colorado State Parks Plate with related proceeds providing additional financial support to Colorado State Parks which, to date, has witnessed over $20,000 of grants to State Parks across Colorado.
Jeff is a proud graduate of Denver Public Schools and the University of Colorado. He was a public school teacher from 1977-1982, served as a member of the Colorado Legislature from 1987-1992 and was appointed to two terms on the CSU Board of Trustees from 1999-2008. Jeff was appointed to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees in 2016 and also serves as the President of a local non-profit organization, Up Close and Musical, which provides professional performances of classical music to elementary schools by Colorado Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Jeff and his wife Nancy (a recently retired R.N., now the owner of Care By Design, LLC – providing care and engagement for seniors throughout the Metro Denver area) are active runners and bicyclists and are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two exceedingly beautiful and extremely intelligent granddaughters.
Ryan Aids - Deputy Director
ryan@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 860
Ryan is originally from the small town of Rincon, Georgia but has lived in since 2006. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 with a degree in communications. Ryan joined The Greenway Foundation after working for Verizon Wireless for 9 years. Along with his wife, Faith, they love exploring Colorado with their two dogs Chip and Maya. Ryan is a huge Georgia Bulldog football fan and always looks forward to the college football season. GO DAWGS!
ryan@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 860
Ryan is originally from the small town of Rincon, Georgia but has lived in since 2006. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 with a degree in communications. Ryan joined The Greenway Foundation after working for Verizon Wireless for 9 years. Along with his wife, Faith, they love exploring Colorado with their two dogs Chip and Maya. Ryan is a huge Georgia Bulldog football fan and always looks forward to the college football season. GO DAWGS!
Rachel (Steel) Gillette - SPREE Grants & Partnerships Director
rachel@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 920
Rachel started at The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator before joining the SPREE team full time in March 2012. A Michigan native, Rachel began her career in environmental education working at the Kalamazoo Nature Center Camp during her summers home from college. She continued to pursue her interest in the environment at The University of Michigan, earning both a bachelor's and master's from the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Rachel relocated to Colorado in 2009, and has spent the past decade working on and overseeing TGF's education programs. She loves her work connecting Denver youth with the South Platte River and helping them discover nature in the city!
rachel@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 920
Rachel started at The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator before joining the SPREE team full time in March 2012. A Michigan native, Rachel began her career in environmental education working at the Kalamazoo Nature Center Camp during her summers home from college. She continued to pursue her interest in the environment at The University of Michigan, earning both a bachelor's and master's from the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Rachel relocated to Colorado in 2009, and has spent the past decade working on and overseeing TGF's education programs. She loves her work connecting Denver youth with the South Platte River and helping them discover nature in the city!
Julianne Gagnon - Education Director
julianne@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 840
Julianne started with SPREE as a seasonal educator when she moved out to Colorado in 2016 before she became a full-time staff member later that year. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 with a degree in Environmental Studies, Spanish, and Communication Design. Originally from New York, Julianne lived in Boston working at an online school for two years, so she is excited to work with students in person with SPREE. She has also worked for a community garden organization in St. Louis, and led many student outdoors trips to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. She loves climbing rocks and mountains, and is very proud of her chocolate chip cookie recipe.
julianne@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 840
Julianne started with SPREE as a seasonal educator when she moved out to Colorado in 2016 before she became a full-time staff member later that year. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 with a degree in Environmental Studies, Spanish, and Communication Design. Originally from New York, Julianne lived in Boston working at an online school for two years, so she is excited to work with students in person with SPREE. She has also worked for a community garden organization in St. Louis, and led many student outdoors trips to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. She loves climbing rocks and mountains, and is very proud of her chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Shelley Jewell - Finance Director
shelley@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743 -9720 ext 900
Shelley joined The Greenway Foundation’s team in November 2015. However, Shelley’s involvement with SPREE started over fifteen years ago when she was a Denver Public Schools teacher. For years, Shelley took her third, fourth and fifth graders on field trips along the South Platte River. Shelley received her undergraduate degree from Bates College and a master in Education from the University of Colorado at Denver. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Shelley has always loved being by the water. As a mother of two, Shelley cherishes family bike rides along the South Platte that include visiting the playground at Johnson Habitat Park, skipping rocks in the river and searching for crawdads.
shelley@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743 -9720 ext 900
Shelley joined The Greenway Foundation’s team in November 2015. However, Shelley’s involvement with SPREE started over fifteen years ago when she was a Denver Public Schools teacher. For years, Shelley took her third, fourth and fifth graders on field trips along the South Platte River. Shelley received her undergraduate degree from Bates College and a master in Education from the University of Colorado at Denver. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Shelley has always loved being by the water. As a mother of two, Shelley cherishes family bike rides along the South Platte that include visiting the playground at Johnson Habitat Park, skipping rocks in the river and searching for crawdads.
Lauren Berent Burgess - Engagement Director
lauren@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 850
Lauren started with The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator for SPREE Summer Camps in 2014. She spent 3 great years as part of the education staff, she then transitioned into coordinating community programs fundraising events, and water programs. Lauren grew up in Michigan, and after attending the University of Michigan to earn both a BA and MS in Aquatic Sciences and Sustainable Systems. Lauren enjoys exploring Colorado through hiking, camping, and snowboarding.
lauren@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext 850
Lauren started with The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator for SPREE Summer Camps in 2014. She spent 3 great years as part of the education staff, she then transitioned into coordinating community programs fundraising events, and water programs. Lauren grew up in Michigan, and after attending the University of Michigan to earn both a BA and MS in Aquatic Sciences and Sustainable Systems. Lauren enjoys exploring Colorado through hiking, camping, and snowboarding.
Allie Hennessy - Youth Programs Manager
alissa@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext. 830
Starting out in the midwest, Allie got a degree in environmental studies and geography from Augustana College before working in ecological conservation for forest preserves in the Chicagoland area. She grew up traveling and hiking with her family, which fostered her appreciation for the outdoors, and landed her in Denver in early 2019. She enjoys exploring with her dog Fin, taking pictures of flowers, and bringing her binoculars everywhere she goes! Allie is passionate about connecting people with nature, and is super excited to connect Denver youth to their local environment with The Greenway Foundation!
alissa@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext. 830
Starting out in the midwest, Allie got a degree in environmental studies and geography from Augustana College before working in ecological conservation for forest preserves in the Chicagoland area. She grew up traveling and hiking with her family, which fostered her appreciation for the outdoors, and landed her in Denver in early 2019. She enjoys exploring with her dog Fin, taking pictures of flowers, and bringing her binoculars everywhere she goes! Allie is passionate about connecting people with nature, and is super excited to connect Denver youth to their local environment with The Greenway Foundation!
Burgundy Hanna - Camp Coordinator
burgundy@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext. 930
Prior to joining the SPREE team of seasonal educators, Burgundy was an educator at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. Before moving to Colorado in the fall of 2018 to pursue a new career, Burgundy was a High School Aquatic and Environmental Science teacher and Science Department Chair in Houston, Texas. Originally from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Marine Biology. Burgundy grew up traveling the states with her grandparents, who fostered her love for nature. She enjoys painting, cooking, going on hikes and exploring the mountains with her wife of 6 years and their 3 dogs. Burgundy enjoys sharing her passion for the environment and our rivers with students across the Denver area!
burgundy@greenwayfoundation.org
(303) 743-9720 ext. 930
Prior to joining the SPREE team of seasonal educators, Burgundy was an educator at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. Before moving to Colorado in the fall of 2018 to pursue a new career, Burgundy was a High School Aquatic and Environmental Science teacher and Science Department Chair in Houston, Texas. Originally from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Marine Biology. Burgundy grew up traveling the states with her grandparents, who fostered her love for nature. She enjoys painting, cooking, going on hikes and exploring the mountains with her wife of 6 years and their 3 dogs. Burgundy enjoys sharing her passion for the environment and our rivers with students across the Denver area!
Alexandra (Ali) Witonsky - Environmental Educator
alexandra@greenwayfoundation.org
After many fun childhood summers spent in the outdoors of suburban Philadelphia beekeeping, blacksmithing, and taking care of farm animals at a historic house, Ali moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver. There she studied Spanish, International Relations, and Studio Art, but upon graduation realized that the outdoors are where she feels most at home.
Post-grad, she broke into the interpretation field at the Butterfly Pavilion, learning about how small invertebrates impact even the largest spaces. As a ranger at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Ali expanded her skills in the field and learned how to deal with much larger mammals. Ali has now come to TGF to learn, teach, and share all there is about Colorado’s ecosystems. She is passionate about all of Colorado’s residents, big and small, young and old.
alexandra@greenwayfoundation.org
After many fun childhood summers spent in the outdoors of suburban Philadelphia beekeeping, blacksmithing, and taking care of farm animals at a historic house, Ali moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver. There she studied Spanish, International Relations, and Studio Art, but upon graduation realized that the outdoors are where she feels most at home.
Post-grad, she broke into the interpretation field at the Butterfly Pavilion, learning about how small invertebrates impact even the largest spaces. As a ranger at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Ali expanded her skills in the field and learned how to deal with much larger mammals. Ali has now come to TGF to learn, teach, and share all there is about Colorado’s ecosystems. She is passionate about all of Colorado’s residents, big and small, young and old.
Destiny Morales - Environmental Educator
destiny@greenwayfoundation.org
A recent high school graduate, Destiny born and raised in Colorado, started off as a river ranger with spree in 2018 where she discovered her love for teaching and the environment. She was a river ranger for two summers and decided to come back for a third summer working as a seasonal staff member. On her free time, you can usually find her taking hikes with her family. Destiny is an animal lover who has three dogs and a snake. She hopes to bring her own multicultural perspective to spree and help high schoolers realize their goals in the environment.
destiny@greenwayfoundation.org
A recent high school graduate, Destiny born and raised in Colorado, started off as a river ranger with spree in 2018 where she discovered her love for teaching and the environment. She was a river ranger for two summers and decided to come back for a third summer working as a seasonal staff member. On her free time, you can usually find her taking hikes with her family. Destiny is an animal lover who has three dogs and a snake. She hopes to bring her own multicultural perspective to spree and help high schoolers realize their goals in the environment.
Hailey Meraz - Teen Programs Intern
Hailey is currently a senior at DSST Conservatory High School. She joined the greenway foundation her junior year by being apart of our 2021 Spring River Ranger internship. Once summer break started, she proceeded to advance her River Ranger skills by joining our camp staff as a summer river ranger! Hailey wanted to continue to work with us during her senior year and is currently working as our youth programs intern doing digital marketing. She hopes to attend college in the fall of 2022 to major in marketing. She enjoys hikes, cooking, spending time with family and her pets!
Hailey is currently a senior at DSST Conservatory High School. She joined the greenway foundation her junior year by being apart of our 2021 Spring River Ranger internship. Once summer break started, she proceeded to advance her River Ranger skills by joining our camp staff as a summer river ranger! Hailey wanted to continue to work with us during her senior year and is currently working as our youth programs intern doing digital marketing. She hopes to attend college in the fall of 2022 to major in marketing. She enjoys hikes, cooking, spending time with family and her pets!
Chompers the SPREEver - Chief SPREE Force Agent
Chompers is a cool dude, foraging for his food, livin' his life by the South Platte River. He has fur on his face, he loves that tree taste, leaving his mark all over the place. He will, He will, Chomp you. Chompers became a member of the SPREE team on December 9th, 2004. He started out as a part time mascot and generally lovable guy. As the SPREE team started to realize that he was a straight shooter with upper management potential, Chompers took on a more active role for SPREE. In September of 2008, Chompers founded the SPREE Force to help keep the South Platte River clean from drain to stream.
Chompers is a cool dude, foraging for his food, livin' his life by the South Platte River. He has fur on his face, he loves that tree taste, leaving his mark all over the place. He will, He will, Chomp you. Chompers became a member of the SPREE team on December 9th, 2004. He started out as a part time mascot and generally lovable guy. As the SPREE team started to realize that he was a straight shooter with upper management potential, Chompers took on a more active role for SPREE. In September of 2008, Chompers founded the SPREE Force to help keep the South Platte River clean from drain to stream.
Crusher the Crawdad - SPREE Force Agent
Crusher's pretty cool too, watch out he might pinch you, livin' his life under one big rock. Crawdad, crayfish, call him what you wish, eatin' dead leeches, his favorite dish. He will, he will, Pinch you. Crusher is Chompers right hand man, and he was the first to sign up as a Special Agent in the SPREE Force when Chompers first founded it. Since then he has been working hard to do his part to keep the South Platte River safe and clean. Chompers always looks for help from Crusher when he finds himself in a "pinch."
Crusher's pretty cool too, watch out he might pinch you, livin' his life under one big rock. Crawdad, crayfish, call him what you wish, eatin' dead leeches, his favorite dish. He will, he will, Pinch you. Crusher is Chompers right hand man, and he was the first to sign up as a Special Agent in the SPREE Force when Chompers first founded it. Since then he has been working hard to do his part to keep the South Platte River safe and clean. Chompers always looks for help from Crusher when he finds himself in a "pinch."