TODD RUTLEDGE – President

Todd got distracted from a career in Academics in the early 90’s when the siren songs of the Andes and the Alaska Range coincided with a break in his graduate program in Linguistics and Anthropology and he’s been a mountain guide ever since. In 2004, after a decade of guiding for the company, he assumed co-ownership of Mountain Trip, an Alaska-based guide service. They expanded to lead trips on all seven continents as well as around his home in Ophir, just south of Telluride. Todd feels incredibly fortunate, as the recent years have provided him the opportunity to get out and lead trips, but also to spend more time with his family. He has two sons, with his wife and enjoys climbing, skiing, hiking and riding horses.

Todd believes in public service and term limited himself after four years as Ophir’s mayor. Serving the greater Telluride community as part of the Telluride Mountain Club is an extension of that belief. We have amazing opportunities in our corner of the San Juans and Todd would like to help people enjoy what is all around us. While the quest for finding balance in life between work and family will probably always be elusive, both are tons of fun, especially in our neck of the woods!

KEVIN COONEY – Vice President

In the late 70s, Kevin was an aspiring alpinist in Telluride while managing the local food coop, swinging a hammer for BONE, and exploring local rock & ice. He went to Boulder to go to engineering school, which led to a long career in the clean energy industry. Along the way he also designed outdoor equipment, pursued FKTs, and had the opportunity to work or climb on six continents. It took him 30 years to find his way back. Then, in 2017, Kevin joined the Mountain Club’s efforts to preserve the via ferrata, and joined the board. He also serves on the board of San Miguel Power Association. When not at his computer, you might find him exploring ridgelines on no-name 13ers, climbing, or enjoying our trails with his dog.

HOLLI OWEN – Treasurer

Entrepreneur. Advocate. Change-maker. Grounded by a BA in Environmental Science & Wilderness Leadership, Owen’s global travels and engagement with the outdoors (skiing, hiking, climbing, running, yoga) ignited a passion for creating positive change in people’s lives. She understands firsthand how healthy food and a connection to nature nurtures both mind and body.

Her latest venture RESET Telluride,  customized transformational wellness and trekking retreats utilizing the open spaces around the Telluride destination. RESET optimized growth pathways for each guest, providing plant-based cuisine, hikes, therapies, and spa treatments that meet guests where they were both mentally and physically. In addition to her corporate work, Owen has pursued skills that support superior guest relations and foster the important role food plays in our lives: a Level 1 Sommelier certification, an Excellence in Service training offered by Michelin-starred chef Charlie Trotter, and a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through Cornell University. This 360 degree wellness approach enables Owen to be deeply present for all her clients’ and guests’ needs. Owen and her family have been proud Telluride residents for the past 21 years.

NATE SMITH – Secretary

Nate Smith has served as a director of the Telluride Mountain Club since 2011. Nate earned his law degree from Vermont Law School, a school consistently ranked as the top environmental law school in the United States. During this time, he served as an editor on the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and focused his studies in public lands law and recreation issues. Nate’s writings have been published in renowned legal journals. He is the only attorney to have studied the impact that the Town of Telluride’s condemnation of the Valley Floor for open space and recreation will have on land-use planning in the Rocky Mountains. When not riding his mountain bike, Nate loves to enjoy his public lands.

TOR ANDERSON

Tor has worked with the Telluride Mountain Club for over two decades and has served at the club’s President. He owns a graphic design company and specializes in map design and formatting. When not busy with work and the club, Tor loves hanging out with his wife Sharon and son Wilder at their home in Ilium.

DAVE LANGE

Born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dave attended Arizona State University. In the early 1970s, he and his brother installed a sprinkler system at their family home at their father’s request. When neighbors began asking for the same, the two started their own installation business.

While attending ASU, Dave shifted from installation work to the supply side, joining a local irrigation supply house that served contractors across the region. After gaining valuable industry experience, he launched his own supply company, which eventually expanded to more than 40 locations across the western United States and Mexico.

After selling the business in 2005, Dave and his wife, Linda, purchased a home in Telluride—a dream they’d shared since their first visits in the 1970s. Along with their daughter, Lindsay, they’ve long loved the Telluride community and the mountain lifestyle. Dave enjoys skiing in the winter and spending summers mountain biking, hiking, and fly fishing.

JON TUKMAN

Bio coming soon.

DIANA FARRELL

Diana is an independent director and trustee of various organizations. She resides in Mountain Village with her husband, Scott Pearson. She is an active member of the community and, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Telluride Mountain Club, serves on the Grant Committee for the Town of Mountain Village, sits on the Board of Telluride Arts, and is a member of the Leadership Council for the Telluride Foundation. In addition, she serves as Vice chair at the Urban Institute, is on the Executive Committee at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and is an Independent Director at the Pew Charitable Trusts. Earlier in her career, she held several leadership positions in the private sector- including at McKinsey & Company and JP Morgan Chase- and in government, serving as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council at the White House.