NATHAN GRAY

Nathan has over 40 years of experience in the fields of international development and education. He is one of the staff founders of Oxfam America supporting emerging community development leadership in low-income countries and has been a pioneer in socially positive investment.

Nathan started the youth leadership organization Earth Train Foundation in 1991 and, in 2001, led the establishment of its international base in Panama where he co-founded the Mamoní Valley Preserve with Colin Wiel & family, and founded Fundación Earth Train, now Fundación Geoversity.

Together with Verne Harnish, he directed the launch of the Geoversity ecosystem with its annual The Nature of Business executive events, as well as Geoversity’s “Designing with Nature” and “Life Changer” initiatives. He was a contributing author of Disaster and Development (Fred Cuny) published in 1989 by Oxford University Press and a contributing author of Change Not Charity – Essays on Oxfam America’s First 40 Years, published in 2010.

Educational background: BA in International Relations from the University of California, San Francisco. Completed special studies in literature at the Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico; Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain; and Université de Toulouse en Pau, France.

BOB MALONE

Called a “keyboard wizard” by The New Yorker, BOB MALONE has amassed a loyal international fan-base through twenty-five years of touring and nine critically acclaimed album releases. He’s played keyboards for John Fogerty since 2011, and has been a session player for Ringo Starr and Avril Lavigne.

His recording of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was the theme in the 2018 Illumination/Universal movie trailers for The Grinch. MusicRiot UK says “His solo work pulls in elements from classical, soul, blues, rock, funk and jazz into a glorious fusion that’s pure Bob Malone.”

Solo and with his band, Bob has played Umbria Jazz Festival (ITALY), Glastonbury Music Festival (UK), Long Beach Bayou Festival (US), Blue Mountains Music Festival (AU), Cincy Blues Festival (US), Umbria Jazz Week (CHINA), plus headlining shows at Iridium (NYC), Garry Marshall Theatre (L.A.), 606 Club (LONDON), Dazzle Jazz & Blues (DENVER), and Clay Center For The Arts (CHARLESTON, WV).

Bob has been featured twice at WWOZ Piano Night in New Orleans. As a member of John Fogerty’s band, he’s played New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Radio City Music Hall, and The Hollywood Bowl and is featured on the 2019 concert album/DVD “50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks” and the 2013 release “Wrote A Song For Everyone.”

Bob’s 2021 release, Good People, went to #11 Rock, #1 Soft Rock, and #1 New Jersey on the Roots Music Report radio charts and debuted at #15 on the IBBA UK charts. Nearly a year after its release, “Oh Well” is still on the SiriusXM Bluesville top-50 Most Heard list. Elmore Magazine wrote: “Bob Malone is a soulful songwriter, passionate singer, exuberant piano player and ecstatic performer whose astounding, abounding talents are immediately evident throughout 11 inspired and inspiring songs on his

glorious ninth album, Good People.”

In its review of the album, American Songwriter said: “From complex turbo-charged polyrhythmic soul-jazz excursions to the most fundamental folk-rock anthems, Malone knows how to light it on fire.”

His songs and his playing have been heard on NCSI New Orleans, Entertainment Tonight, Lucifer, and The Hallmark Channel.

“A Keyboard Wizard.” ~ THE NEW YORKER

“A soulful songwriter, passionate singer, exuberant piano player and ecstatic performer.” ~ ELMORE MAGAZINE

“[Malone’s] take on Bob Dylan’s ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ breathed new life and energy into it, but the one that blew me away was ‘Oh Well’ by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac.” ~ BANGOR DAILY NEWS

“Wondering why nobody writes songs like your old favorites anymore? Bob Malone is the kind of guy that could make you weep.” ~ PALM BEACH POST

“If he could find a way to throw that Steinway grand over his shoulder the way a hot-dog guitar player does, I think he would.” ~ NOLA DEFENDER

“Keyboardist Bob Malone may have been the best musician on the stage outside of Mr. Fogerty himself.”

~ PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Michael McFaul is the Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in Political Science, Director and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, all at Stanford University. He was also the Distinguished Mingde Faculty Fellow at the Stanford Center at Peking University from June to August of 2015. He joined the Stanford faculty in 1995. He is also an analyst for NBC News and a contributing columnist to The Washington Post. McFaul served for five years in the Obama administration, first as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House (2009-2012), and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012-2014). He has authored several books, most recently the New York Times bestseller,  “From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia.”  Earlier books include Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should, How We Can; Transitions To Democracy: A Comparative Perspective  (eds. with Kathryn Stoner); Power and Purpose: American Policy toward Russia after the Cold War (with James Goldgeier); and Russia’s Unfinished Revolution: Political Change from Gorbachev to Putin. His current research interests include American foreign policy, great power relations between China, Russia, and the United States, and the relationship between democracy and development. 

Prof. McFaul was born and raised in Montana. He received his B.A. in International Relations and Slavic Languages and his M.A. in Soviet and East European Studies from Stanford University in 1986. As a Rhodes Scholar, he completed his D. Phil. in International Relations at Oxford University in 1991.

My Values: Family, Hard Work, Honesty, Community, and Fiscal Responsibility.

Growing Up: I was born and raised in Eads, CO. My parents, Henry “Burrel” and Ruby, were from farming families and longtime residents of the area. I have an older brother, Ken. My father was a barber by trade and operated Burrel’s Barber Shop after serving overseas in World War II. He semi-retired from his shop and worked for the local Draft Board until fully retiring in 1986. My mother worked in the office of the local Eads hospital for over 30 years until 1987. Following retirement, they moved to Fairplay to help my wife, Lillian, and I raise our children.

My father and two of his brothers (one older, one younger) each married one of the three Buck sisters!

My First Job: When I was 12, I began working at the local flower and gift shop owned by my aunt and uncle. Frequently, we worked into the night getting flowers ready for weddings or funerals. This is where I learned the work ethic that I still carry with me today. They later opened Wissel Dry Goods where I worked through high school until leaving for college in 1974.

College: I left for college in the fall of 1974 and attended Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo, and attended one year.  I was a music major with a minor in Business Administration. I loved band.

Love for Music: I am a drummer to the core; playing music is my passion. In fact, I played rock ‘n’ roll with my brother from age 12 through today! He plays bass guitar. Our dad used to drive us to and from gigs around southeastern Colorado when we were starting out. Music was always important in our family. My father loved music – he played trumpet and was a member of our church choir along with my mother. They always sang for Sunday services. I still enjoy singing hymns at church on Sundays.

As a child, I tried to learn piano, but my teacher couldn’t get me to play softly. I wanted to make noise – not just music! In fifth grade, I switched to drums.

Finding My Forever Home: I moved to Fairplay in the summer of 1979 to play rock ‘n’ roll with my brother Ken who was working for CDOT as a “drift buster.” I needed a day job so I applied for a position at the Park County Assessor’s Office doing administrative work. I was promoted to Deputy Assessor after six months and in October 1980, I was appointed as Assessor. I proudly served in that capacity for 38 years.

My grandfather, Aurelias Barr worked on the Sam Hartsel Ranch in the 1920’s – 30’s with his two brothers. That was the beginning of our family heritage in South Park.

Love of my Life: I met my wife, Lillian, in 1980 while we were both working for Park County – I was Deputy Assessor and she was Administrative Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners. We became fast friends and shortly after getting to know her, I knew she was the one. We were married in May 1982. We have three children together: Brandon, Jennifer and Dominic. Lillian has two sons from a previous marriage, Mark and Jeffery. We have a wonderful, large family that has given us grandchildren, great grandchildren and grand-dogs!

My Hobbies: Playing drums! I was a member of the band Revolver from 1979-2012 . We played classic rock ‘n’ roll all over Park County. I get an opportunity to play every now and then, and I still love it! I also enjoy spending time with my family – we are lucky that our children live in Colorado.  

I also serve on the Board of the Upper South Platte Water Conservancy District (USPWCD) and have been involved with that organization since 1985. I wanted to get involved and give back to the county that had given me so much.

My Philosophy: Lillian and I do not know a stranger. We are regular local folks. We have remained here through these years because we love this place, and the people. I am a good listener - I have to be - since I have hearing loss in my left ear. I was swimming and got an ear infection when I was five. It has taught me to be a very attentive listener.

My Favorites:

• Food - Pork Chops & Rice.

• Sport - All Colorado based teams, college and professional. Love the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche. Go CU Buffs!

• Dream Vacation Spot - Colorado - there’s no place like it. Anything with water and camping is always awesome.

• Band - Revolver of course ;) I also love Rush (Neal Perth is my idol as a drummer), Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Eric Clapton, Journey and anything that has that old classic rock feel.

READ MORE AT: https://www.wissel4parkco.com/blank-page

Karen received her Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and has worked in the areas of family therapy, eldercare and PTSD.

Acclaimed talk show host of Spouting Off

As a performer, she has toured the country in musical comedies, entertained on cruise ships and appeared in television and film. Her broadcast experience includes turns as a classical music radio announcer, news-caster, voice-over artist and of course, talk radio host. She lends her operatic voice to a variety of fundraisers and community events and has sung the National Anthem and God Bless America in numerous venues from State Legislatures to the New Jersey Nets.

Karen has trained people of all ages in public speaking, voice and diction, assertiveness and interpersonal communication. She taught communications at a Manhattan corporate training firm, the New School for Social Research, Parsons School of Design in New York, New Jersey’s Montclair State College, and Fairleigh Dickenson University, among others.

In politics, Karen has written numerous editorials and run for public office. She is passionate about freedom, equal justice and personal responsibility. You might have trouble pigeonholing her.

She enjoys encouraging people to think for themselves and to question everything.

Karen is the author of the awarding winning memoir, FATLASH! Food Police & the Fear of Thin, a memoir about her "stage mother on steroids" and her participation in child beauty pageants.

Kathi Sohn is a distinguished Naval War College graduate who retired from a 36-year federal career to continue the powerful healing work created by her late husband, David William Sohn, called the Body Memory Process.  This approach teaches childhood vow formation and facilitates vow discovery and release. For over 30 years, hundreds of clients have experienced profound life changes because of this work, including release from health issues like diabetes and migraines, improved relationships, and financial gain. Ms. Sohn now promotes her multi-media course, Discover YourChildhood Vows, Change Your Life, and is currently writing a book on the Body Memory Process.

Relevance of work to sports parents and young athletes

All children between time in the womb and about seven years of age form their core belief system about how "I am," how others are and how life is. These beliefs can make a very deep level of impact on self-identity, determining how one will behave, and what risks they will or will not take in life - articulated as a "vow." Example is "I will never lose." This sounds life-affirming until you consider the consequences of losing with this vow in place. Childhood vows can negatively impact health, relationships, finances and overall wellness in the adult. Parents of athletes who are unaware of the vow dynamic could have particularly high expectations and inadvertently cause the creation of new and reinforcement of existing vows in their children.

Terry Tucker is a motivational speaker, author, and international podcast guest on the topics of motivation, mindset, and self-development. He has a business administration degree from The Citadel (where he played NCAA Division I college basketball) and a master’s degree from Boston University. In his professional career, Terry has been a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, a high school basketball coach, a business owner, a motivational speaker, and for the past ten years, a cancer warrior (which has resulted in the amputation of his foot in 2018 and his leg in 2020). He is the author of the book, Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life.