Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Photo: Ben Moon
Board and Staff
CONSERVATION ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adam Forest (President) Adam co-founded The Forest Group, a firm that brings high-level executive search services to all management levels in the Outdoor Industry. Adam previously served as a partner with the firm McCormack & Associates, serving such clients as the Outdoor Industry Association and Nextec Applications. With over 14 years of retained search experience Adam has helped a variety of organizations and nonprofits navigate the tumultuous water of talent and leadership selection. He has kayaked the Grand Canyon, backpacked throughout the west and enjoys every outdoor activity that requires the best gear. Adam proudly serves on the boards of Leave No Trace and The Progress House (a drug and alcohol treatment organization), and is the President of the Coloma-Lotus Firefighters Association.
Dave Knutson (Secretary)
Dave is Minister of Human Resources and Sustainability for Chaco, Inc. Prior to joining Chaco, Dave was a senior consultant with the Ralston Consulting Group in Salt Lake City, and for a decade worked in Organizational Development and HR at W.L. Gore and Associates’ Medical Division. He also taught for Northern Arizona University’s College of Business. Dave is an avid trail runner and fly fisher, and he guided Collin Fletcher on his 1989 Colorado River solo through the Grand Canyon.
Lisa Pike (Treasurer)
Lisa is Patagonia’s Environmental Programs Director. She manages the company’s environmental grants program and company-wide campaigns to engage customers in environmental issues. Before joining Patagonia, she was the program and membership director for the Environmental Grantmakers Association. Lisa has held positions with regional and national groups environmental groups in Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington, DC. Lisa has a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Tufts University.
Conrad Anker
Conrad is a sponsored athlete for The North Face, and one of the world’s most renowned climbers. The search for challenging routes has taken Conrad from the mountains of Alaska and Antarctica to the big walls of Patagonia, Baffin Island, Yosemite and Zion, to the massive peaks of the Himalaya. In May of 1999, as a member of the Mallory & Irvine Research expedition, Conrad discovered the body of George Mallory, the preeminent Everest explorer of the 1920s. Conrad’s discovery and analysis of the find has shed new light onto the pioneering climbs of the early expeditions. Conrad graduated from the University of Utah and lives in Bozeman, Montana. Conrad is on the boards of the American Alpine Club, the Rowell Fund for Tibet and the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation. In his spare time, Conrad studies water color painting and stays in shape with a rigorous training regime of running, skiing and climbing.
Kenny Ballard
Kenny is President of Kelty, Inc. He touts a wealth of experience at all levels of outdoor industry sales, including sales strategy, retail management, and field sales representation. Ballard joined Kelty in 2000 as national sales manager. In October, 2002, he was promoted to director of sales, and became president in January 2005. Prior to joining Kelty, Ballard’s experience in the outdoor industry included work at Mad River Canoe as the national sales and brand manager, at Moonstone Mountaineering as the director of sales, and at Montbell America as the director of sales and marketing. Ballard is an avid hiker, backpacker, and camper. He also enjoys telemark skiing, fly fishing and bicycling.
Sally McCoy
Sally is CEO of CamelBak. A veteran of the outdoor industry, Sally has been involved with The Conservation Alliance in many phases of her career, including roles with The North Face, Sierra Designs, and Silver Steep Partners.
Angela Owen
Angela is REI's VP of Merchandising. She joined REI’s Merchandising team in 1990, and provides leadership in the areas of product assortment and strategy, category management, vendor partnership development, profitability, and inventory management. Angela received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and serves on the board of the Northwest Interpretive Association. She is an avid world traveler and enjoys hiking and skiing.
Kirk Richardson
Kirk is President of KEEN, Inc. He originally joined the Alliance board as Category General Manager for Nike ACG. A graduate of Lewis & Clark College (1975), Kirk has been a Conservation Alliance board member since 2001. Kirk is an active climber, runner, filmmaker and coach. Married with two children, Kirk spends every chance he gets roaming the western US, visiting new climbing areas, or re-visiting old favorites, much to the disgust of his wife, children and co-workers.
CONSERVATION ALLIANCE STAFF
John Sterling (Executive Director) John has spent the past 17 years in the conservation field, and has been involved with The Conservation Alliance since 1996. John was Director of Environmental Programs at Patagonia, Inc. until 2002, and represented the company on the Alliance board. He left Patagonia to launch a career to help businesses engage in meaningful conservation work. John was hired as Executive Director in 2005, and has helped The Conservation Alliance build its membership and profile within the outdoor industry. Prior to his time at Patagonia, John was a staffer at Earth Island Institute. He serves on the boards of the Oregon Natural Desert Association and High Desert Journal, both based in Bend, Oregon. John is an avid climber, telemark skier, and backpacker, and an aspiring birder. He can be found most mornings walking along the Deschutes River with his daughter, Lily and son, Ian.
Krissy Moehl (Program Associate) Active in the Outdoor Industry since 2001 Krissy has worked in promotions and marketing for Montrail and Nathan Hydration. She traces her dedication and passion for the outdoors to competitive ultra-trail running, cycling, climbing and backpacking. She is a running ambassador for Patagonia and enjoys the challenges of maintaining a balanced life. Long runs, yoga, cooking, reading and sweets all have a place in life.