Staff Members

Kelley Grubbs joins the RAQC as a Programs and Data Analyst.  Kelley’s work will focus on analyzing data from the various mobile source programs and non-road programs to help quantify program benefits.  She will also assist team members with implementation and outreach of the various Mobile Source Programs offered by the RAQC.

Kelley graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology and a bachelor’s degree in Classical History; and earned a master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering in Sustainable Infrastructure from the University of Colorado, Denver.  Prior to joining the RAQC, Kelley was the co-founder and officer for Engineers for a Sustainable World, and teaching assistant at University of Colorado, Denver.

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Sammy Herdman joined the RAQC in June 2023 as a Program Coordinator. Sammy is developing and managing programs to reduce ozone pollution by engaging communities and local stakeholders.

Prior to joining the RAQC, Sammy worked on forest conservation campaigns for the Natural Resources Defense Council and Environment America and directed grassroots fundraising offices in the Denver metro region to reduce plastic and ozone pollution. Sammy has a bachelor’s degree in biology and is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver.

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Misty Howell is the Operations Director and Board Secretary.  As the Operations Director, she is responsible for managing human resources, payroll and accounting functions, Information Technology Coordination and financial management.   Misty manages the financial aspects of the RAQC’s local, state and federal grants. She oversees the daily operations of the office, coordinates the preparation of State Implementation Plan documents, provides computer support, supervises administrative staff and maintains the RAQC’s websites.

As the Board Secretary, she keeps Council meeting minutes and maintains the corporate records. Misty has been with the Regional Air Quality Council since 1995.

Prior to working at the Regional Air Quality Council, Misty’s work experience includes employment with a software development company, an international medical supply company and a law firm.  Misty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Adams State College.

Misty prepares Board Meeting Minutes.

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Jacob LaBure joined the RAQC in November 2022 as a Programs Coordinator, Team Lead. As Program Coordinator, Jacob is developing and managing programs like the RAQC’s Municipal Mow Down Pollution program, as well as interfacing with local governments and stakeholder groups.

Prior to joining the RAQC, Jacob served on the Lakewood City Council, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and the National League of Cities. Additionally, Jacob served as a public servant with the City and County of Denver for ten years where he worked for Public Works and later the Denver Police Department assisting law enforcement with tracking stolen property. Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and is pursuing a master’s degree from the Monfort College of Business.

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Raissa Leonard is the Office Administrator.  In this role, she is responsible for administrative duties including accounts payable accounting functions.   She assists staff with program administration functions, including local, state and federal grants, projects and initiatives as well as the RAQC’s websites.  She joined the RAQC in October 2019 as the Administrative Coordinator.

Prior to working at the Regional Air Quality Council, Raissa’s work experience included employment in commercial property management and retail office management.

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Tom joined the RAQC in February 2023 as the Planning Director, working on air quality control strategies, coordinating development of the State Implementation Plan components, and leading emission inventory and photochemical modeling analyses.  He came to the RAQC after serving as the Technical Services Program manager at the State’s Air Pollution Control Division as well as working for many years for the Western Regional Air Partnership, coordinating air quality analysis and planning for the 15-state WRAP region.  He has served as the Vice Chair for the Air Quality Enterprise Board and chaired the Fort Collins Air Quality Advisory Board. Tom has a B.S. degree in Physical Geography from Arizona State University.

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David Sabados joined the RAQC in April 2022 as the Communications, Programs & Government Affairs Director. As Communications Director, David works with the media on news stories related to air quality and RAQC programs, as well as managing RAQC’s advertising campaigns and interfacing with local governments and stakeholder groups. Additionally, he oversees the RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. program, helping residents make small but meaningful changes in their lives to improve air quality.

Prior to joining the RAQC, David founded and managed two local newspapers. Prior to that, he worked with political candidates, nonprofit organizations, ballot measures and elsewhere in the political sphere on communications, fundraising, outreach, and strategy. He holds two bachelor’s and a master’s degree from The University of Northern Colorado.

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Michael Silverstein is the Executive Director of the Regional Air Quality Council which serves as the lead air quality planning organization for the Denver metropolitan area and the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Non-Attainment Area. Mike’s primary area of expertise is in air quality planning, which involves working with industry, government agencies and citizens to develop approaches for improving air quality and managing environmental initiatives.

Previous to his work for the Council, Mike served as the Administrator and Technical Secretary for the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission, and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State of Colorado Environmental Commission from 2011 through mid-2018. Mike coordinated the activities of these Commissions and advised the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on air quality matters. Mike began working for the State in 1992 as an air quality planner for the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division and became the Division’s deputy director and manager of planning and policy in 2004. Previous to his work for the State, Mike was an environmental scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 8 offices in Denver from 1986 to 1992. Mike also has worked as an environmental consultant in Florida and with the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado. Mike holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geography from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and Boulder campuses.

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Kelsey Simpkins joined the RAQC in May 2023 as Communications and Programs Coordinator. As Communications and Programs Coordinator, Kelsey will manage media, public relations, and community outreach and events for the Simple Steps Better Air program.

Prior to joining the RAQC, Kelsey worked at the University of Colorado Boulder in media relations and as a science writer, specializing in climate and environmental science. She previously worked for sustainability science NGO Future Earth as a digital engagement and communications specialist, and for the Twin Cities-based ecological restoration nonprofit Great River Greening in development and communications. She received her master’s degree in environmental journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder and her bachelor’s degree in art and environmental studies from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

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