Cathy was first elected to the board in 2020, was reelected in 2023, and has served on Friends Nature Store Advisory Committee and now serves on Friends Events Committee.  She is a native of Idaho where she graduated from Caldwell High School and then studied and graduated from the business and accounting program at Link’s School of Business. Cathy has more than thirty-five years of business experience. She worked for Intermountain Gas Company for ten years and then Simplot Soilbuilders in the Mineral and Chemical Division of JR Simplot Company for six years. While working for Simplot, Cathy and her husband opened and began operating an independent fast food drive-in, where she served as bookkeeper. Then, she left Simplot and for almost twenty years, Cathy and her husband Rick were “hands-on partners and co-owners” of their fast food drive-in, finally selling it in 2018 and retiring. They were recognized as entrepreneurs in the drive-in business for nearly thirty years.

Cathy considers herself a “professional volunteer” now. She volunteers at local elementary schools, plays in a community band (where she also serves as the Treasurer), is a twenty-year member of her local Audubon chapter, and is a long-time board member and now Vice President and on the Community Outreach Committee of Friends of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Nampa, Idaho. At Deer Flat NWR, she is also co-chair of their nature store, Grebe’s Nest.

Cathy loves Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and in the last few years has come here to volunteer at our Holiday Open House, Annual Meeting, and for Festival of the Cranes. Cathy is a “people person” and enjoys working with visitors to raise awareness, encourage membership and volunteerism, and share her passion for nature. She says, “I realize the importance of protecting and preserving our public lands for the flora and fauna living there, but also for humans to nurture their souls with the music of the birds and beauty of the land.” Cathy loves working with children as well and raising their awareness of the natural world and the importance of getting outside. Cathy is excited to continue bringing her skill set, passion, and work ethic to Friends of Bosque del Apache.