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Board Members

Council Member Appointments

Governor Polis’ Office of Boards and Commissions makes appointments to the Regional Air Quality Council through Executive Order as needed to fill open positions.

Appointment have been made under the following Executive Orders: Executive Order B 2012-001; Executive Order A2012 018; Executive Order A 2012 074, Executive Order A 2012 216 , Executive Order A 2013 254Executive Order A 2014 107,  Executive Order A 2014 111,  Executive Order A 2014 182Executive Order A 2015 98Executive Order A 2015 147Executive Order A 2016 80Executive Order A 2016 102Executive Order A 2016 085; Executive Order A 2016 102; Executive Order A 2017 085; Executive Order A 2017 035; Executive Order A 2018 048; Executive Order A 2018 132; Executive Order A 2018 264; Executive Order A 2019 317  Executive Order A 2020 047; Executive Order A 2020 097; Executive Order A 2022 116; Executive Order A 2023-170

Related documents
Member listing

Mike Foote is the Chair of the Council as appointed by the Governor.

To view Board Member biographies, click on their name from the drop-down menu below.

 

Steve Arnold is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s University College, where he teaches courses in environmental policy and management program focused on environmental planning and sustainable transportation.   Prior to retirement, Mr. Arnold worked at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as a chemist, the Program Manager for the Technical Services Program and the Deputy Director of the Division overseeing policy and planning.  He has served on several Governor committees addressing environmental issues. Mr. Arnold serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of broad public interest. His term expires April 30, 2025.

Ethan Aumann is the senior director of environmental issues and resiliency at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). Prior to his current role, Ethan was an environmental specialist for the federal government, focusing on energy, land use, and air quality projects, and an engineer for the California Air Resources Board. He has a B.A. in chemistry from Whitman College and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in environmental engineering and sciences from Stanford University. He serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the business community. His term expires April 20, 2026.

Jeffrey Collett is a Professor and Department Head for the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.  Professor Collett has over 30 years of experience conducting and directing air quality studies, which provide him with an understanding of the complex mix of air pollutant emissions, meteorology and atmospheric chemistry that contribute to regional air pollution.  Professor Collett serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as an individual with environmental science experience. His term expires April 30, 2025.

Maria De Cambra is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Before joining the DOLA, Ms. De Cambra served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement on Governor Jared Polis’s Executive team. During her time in the Governor’s office, she worked closely with Governor Polis on delivering on his first-term priorities. Before working with Governor Polis, she was Mayor Pro-Tem to the City of Westminster, where she championed affordable housing development, and  served as the Westminster City Council Liaison to the Adams County Economic Development Board, the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Human Services Board, the Northern Area Transit Alliance, and the Colorado Municipal League Policy Committee. She has spent almost two decades leading community organizing and public policy efforts.  Ms. De Cambra serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of DOLA, where she oversees numerous departments that address a wide range of essential services to citizens and local governments.

Mike Foote is is currently an environmental and energy attorney and the appointed Chair to the Regional Air Quality Council.  From 2012 through 2020 he was a Colorado state Representative and Senator focusing on climate, energy, and environmental policy issues.  He serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the public interest with a term that expires April 30, 2025.

Lynn Guissinger is the President/Owner of Catalyst Communication LLC. She is a Board Director at the Regional Transportation District (RTD), where she serves as First Vice-Chair and has chaired the Communications and Government Relations Committee. Throughout her career she has served on several boards/ committees including City of Boulder Transportation Advisory Board (chair), Commuting Solutions, Community Cycles Capital Campaign Committee and City of Boulder Greenways Advisory Committee. Ms. Guissinger serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of transportation management agencies. Her term expires April 30, 2025.

Marguerite Harden is the Local Resiliency Manager at the State Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Colorado Resiliency Office where she leads resilience planning and implementation, has established Colorado’s first microgrids grant program, and advances climate resilience work with State and local government partners. Prior to DOLA, she has directed philanthropic, nonprofit, and public-sector programs that advance clean energy, climate change, sustainability, and planning. She serves on the RAQC as the alternate for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).

The Honorable Eva Henry is a Commissioner for Adams County.  As Commissioner, she serves on the following boards/Committees: Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Boundary Control Commission, Adams County Economic Development (Executive Committee), Housing Authority, and Airport Coordinating Committee. Commissioner Henry is a constant supporter of community involvement and continues her goal to develop opportunities to boost social justice, amplify opportunities, and protect families.   She serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of local government in the Denver metropolitan area. Her term expires April 30, 2026.

The Honorable Bill Holen is an Arapahoe County Commissioner. As Commissioner, he oversees the Community Resources and Facilities and Fleet Management departments. He serves on the County’s Capital Improvements Project Team, the Arapahoe County Foundation Board of Directors, the Public Airport Authority Board of Directors, the Housing Authority, the Community Services Block Grant Advisory Committee, the Board of Social Services and the Forfeiture Committee for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Holen also represents Arapahoe County’s interests on a variety of boards and committees, including the Aurora Economic Development Council Board of Directors, the Colorado Counties Inc. Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, the E-470 Public Highway Authority Board of Directors, Metro Area County Commissioners and the National Association of Counties Transportation Subcommittee   He serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of local government in the Denver metropolitan area. His term expires April 30, 2025.

Curt Huber served as the Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Colorado for 12 years until his retirement two years ago. During his career in nonprofit health administration he has also served as an Executive Director for the National MS Society and the American Diabetes Association, as well as Western Area Director for the National MS Society, VP of Development for the American Lung Association of the Southwest, and early on (1979-1983) managed the granting process for the DRCOG Office on Aging. Through his work with ALA, he has particular interest in transportation and alternative fuels as they relate to air quality. Mr. Huber serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a member to represent the conservation community. His term expires April 30, 2024.

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). She is a public health professional with more than 25 years of experience in the field. She has been a local public health agency director, Eagle County commissioner, the vice president of the Colorado Board of Health, and previous director of the Department’s Office of Health Disparities.  Ms. Hunaker Ryan was appointed by Governor Jared Polis to take the helm of CDPHE in January 2019. This was just over 13 months before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Colorado. Ryan has helped lead Colorado through an unprecedented response, including the largest mass vaccination effort in Colorado’s history.  Another priority of Ms. Hunsaker Ryan’s is improving air quality. Under her direction, the department’s first climate action unit was created to help measure, track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also initiated the department’s quest for tens of millions of dollars in new investments in the Air Pollution Control Division to reduce a historic backlog of permitting, modernize technology, and improve air monitoring to reduce pollution.  Ms. Hunsaker Ryan serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as representative from CDPHE.

Ryan Hurst is the founder and CEO of Hurst, LLC a private investment firm.  Since 2013, Mr. Hurst has also been a Partner at Motiv Power Systems, which is an industry leader in medium-duty electric chassis and pioneered zero-emissions, commercial electric vehicle applications across Classes 4-7, ranging from school buses to delivery trucks.  He serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of an automotive-related business. His term expires April 30, 2025.

Enessa Janes, PhD, AICP, is the Director of the Department of Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods with the City of Arvada where she oversees Arvada’s Parks, Golf, Urban Design, and Housing and Homelessness programs. Dr. Janes is a professional certified planner with more than 13 years of experience advancing climate resilient and adaptive communities in Colorado and the Mountain West. Dr. Janes has served a variety of organizations during her career including FEMA Region VIII and The Asia Foundation where she focused on climate change related hazards, social vulnerability assessment, and issues of climate equity. She serves as a local government representative from the Denver Metro area on the Regional Air Quality Council with a term that expires April 30, 2024.

The Honorable Alicia Johnson is a City of Evans Councilwoman. As a Councilwoman, Mrs. Johnson serves as the City of Evans’ liaison in the Finance Committee and the High Plains Library District Board Selection Committee. She also serves on the 19th Judicial District Performance Commission, Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization, Friends of A Woman’s Place, and the Mexica Center Board. She serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of Weld County.  Her term expires April 30, 2025.

Michael Leccese was the Executive Director of Urban Land Institute Colorado for 16 years. In 2022 he retired but continues to consult and volunteer. He previously had a long career as a journalist and communications consultant. Mr. Leccese has served on civic task forces, boards and committees in Boulder, Denver and Washington D.C. and helped launch the region-wide Neighborhood Eco Pass program with RTD Denver.  He chairs Boulder’s Housing Advisory Board and serves on the Advisory Board of CU Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning.  He serves on RAQC as a representative with land use planning experience.  His term expires April 30, 2025.

Shoshana Lew is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), where she is charged with leading the department in planning for and addressing Colorado’s transportation needs. Ms. Lew oversees 3,000 employees statewide and an annual budget of approximately $2 billion, guiding an organization committed to becoming the best DOT in the country for its customers. Prior to this role, she served as the chief operating officer (COO) for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). Also, she was the chief financial officer and assistant secretary for budget and programs for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), as well as the deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy at the USDOT.  Ms. Lew serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative for CDOT.

The Honorable Oscar Madera is a Commerce City Council Member and Senior SEC Reporting Specialist who has worked with a variety of industries over his career. As a Council Member, Mr. Madera serves on the Colorado Municipal League Policy Committee, Commerce City Housing Authority, Veterans Commission, South Adams County Fire Commission, and the Police Pension Board. Councilperson Madera represents Ward I and is committed to develop improved opportunities, accessibility and quality of life in Commerce City. He serves as a local government representative from the Denver Metro area on the Regional Air Quality Council with a term that expires on April 30, 2024.

The Honorable Margo Melendez is a Town Trustee for the Town of Bow Mar and Manager at National Renewal Energy Lab (NREL) where she supports the deployment of advanced transportation technologies. Trustee Ramsden is also a board member of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. She serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of local government in the Denver metropolitan area. Her term expires April 30, 2025.

Anne Miller is the alternate for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).  She is the Colorado Resiliency Office Director for DOLA. The Colorado Resiliency Office supports and helps empower Colorado communities in building stronger, safer and more resilient in the face of natural disasters and other major challenges.

Steve Naples serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the general business community with a term that expires April 30, 2024.

Michael Ogletree is the Division Director for the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) where he is responsible for the supervision of the APCD.  Before becoming Division Director, Mr. Ogletree was the air quality program manager for the City and County of Denver, where he led Denver’s overall efforts to improve air quality with a special focus on the disproportionate impacts of air pollution and poor air quality on communities of color. He also served as secretary of the Air Quality Control Commission (2020-2021) and chaired the Air Quality Enterprise Board (2021). Mr. Ogletree has also served as a chemist and laboratory manager in the private sector.   Mr. Ogletree serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as the representative for APCD.

Darius Pakbaz is the alternate for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).  He is the the director for the Division of Transportation Development.

Doug Rex is the Executive Director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), where he oversees DRCOG’s regional programs and planning for the nine-county Denver metro region. Mr. Rex joined DRCOG as the director of transportation and planning operations in 2013, where he was responsible for directing and coordinating regional transportation planning in the 2.7-million-person Denver metro area. Mr. Rex is a member of the Regional Transportation Committee and an alternative on the State Transportation Advisory Committee.  Mr. Rex serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of DRCOG.  His term expires April 30, 2025.

Grace Rink is the Chief Climate Officer for the City and County of Denver and the Executive Director of its Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience. Ms. Rink is a board member with Transit Solutions.  She serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of local government in the Denver metropolitan area. Her term expires April 30, 2025.

Manny Rutinel is the CEO of Climate Refarm—a company leveraging carbon markets to pay food providers to switch to plant-based options. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School. After law school, he was an Attorney for Earthjustice. Before law school, he was an economist for the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he also served as a First Responder in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Mr. Rutinel holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University and both a B.S. in Microbiology and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Florida.  He serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the general public. His term expires April 20, 2026.

The Honorable Kristin Stephens is a Larimer County Commissioner.  She is a board member of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization. For six year she served as a City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Fort Collins, where she worked on climate action and air quality initiatives.   She serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Her term expires April 30, 2025.

Will Toor is the Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), where he is charged with leading the department to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumer energy costs by advancing clean energy, energy efficiency and zero emission vehicles to benefit all Coloradans.  He is the former director of the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).  Prior to working at SWEEP, Mr. Toor was appointed to the Air Quality Control Commission and he is a former Boulder County Commissioner and a former Mayor of Boulder.  He represented Boulder County and City of Boulder on the Denver Regional Council of Governments.   He has been a leader in adopting sustainability principles including goals to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and miles traveled in DRCOG’s long range regional land use and transportation plans.   Mr. Toor serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative for CEO.

Jeff West is the Senior Director of Environmental Services with Xcel Energy. Mr. West is responsible for overall environmental/chemistry compliance and direction of Environmental Services staff for operations in all of Xcel’ operating companies.  Mr. West serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of stationary sources. His term expires April 30, 2026.

Susan Wood, AICP, is a Planning Project Manager (Environmental) at the Regional Transportation District (RTD) where she is responsible for environmental clearance and compliance with respect to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Ms. Wood has over twenty years of planning, community development and transportation experience. She currently serves on the Planning for Hazards Steering Committee and is a member of the Colorado Water and Land Use Planning Alliance.   Ms. Wood serves on the Regional Air Quality Council as a representative of the Regional Transportation District. Her term expires April 30, 2025.