Nate White grew up in Maine, where he first developed his passion for the outdoors. Over his career as a high school English teacher, he has taught thousands of students, not just in the US, but at international schools in Ecuador and Brazil. Soon after moving to the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado a decade ago, Nate suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury from a whitewater kayaking accident. He used the Glenwood Hot Springs as an integral part of his remarkable recovery—a practice he continues to this day. Since his injury, Nate has written multiple articles on disability and published a novel, Conscious Designs, which won the Colorado Book Award in 2023. He lives in Carbondale with his wife, his three-year-old daughter and one-year-old identical twin boys. He continues to teach English at Glenwood Springs High School.

Lisa Langer holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from West Virginia University and is a graduate and past regents chair of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. She currently serves as secretary-treasurer of CADMO (CO Association of Destination Management Orgs). Lisa is an active member of CO Tourism Office’s International Promotions Committee, Destination Stewardship Coalition, Inclusivity in Travel Coalition, and Tourism Marketing committee.

Before her move to Colorado in 2012, Lisa was Executive Director of the Spearfish, South Dakota, Chamber of Commerce & CVB for 14 years. Through her role as Tourism Director for Visit Glenwood Springs, she assists the city-council-appointed Glenwood Springs Tourism Management Board. Her duties include management of the tourism marketing plan and budget, and the city’s new destination management plan. During her off-hours, Lisa performs in local choirs and theatrical productions.

Cameron Annas is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Granite Insurance and has the opportunity to develop and lead some of the brightest insurance professionals that exist! Cameron joined the organization in 2013 as a Business Risk Consultant and quickly built what is known today as the Adventure & Entertainment National Practice Group. In 2017 Cameron was promoted to Vice President of Business Development where he led the organization through unprecedented growth ranging from 18%-42% annually. As of January 1st, 2021 Cameron was promoted to CEO where his responsibility is the overall vision and growth of Granite Insurance! Cameron also serves as the National Practice Leader for the Adventure & Entertainment team. Over the past 7 years, the Adventure & Entertainment team has grown from 1 client to over 250 clients throughout 44 states. Insurance and Risk Management solutions in the adventure & entertainment industry are very difficult due to the complexity of the risk and severity of claims. However, with Granite Insurance’s unique team and insight into these industries, they have been able to develop and maintain some of the leading risk management and insurance programs throughout the United States for this industry.

Dr. Coplin is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor specializing in the field of integrative Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine and integrative Oncology. He has over 15 years experience in the treatment of complex and chronic illnesses using hydrothermal therapy, nutrition, physical medicine, and natural medicines in conjunction with conventional treatment.

Dr. Coplin writes and teaches extensively on the re-emergence of Health Resort culture and programming in the 21st century healthcare and tourism fields.

He is the leading specialist in Hydrothermal Medicine in North America and is the President of The Balneology Association of North America. Dr. Coplin is the Medical Director for The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO and Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta, CA. He advises on the science-informed use of therapeutic thermal mineral hot spring water and Health Resort programming.

Jessica is the Executive Director of the Hot Springs Association, with over a decade of experience in destination marketing, design, and wellness tourism. She has worked on the Hot Springs of America website, the Hot Springs Connection conference, and the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. Her background also includes creative projects in health care marketing for hospitals and private practices. A lifelong hot springs enthusiast, Jessica is passionate about supporting the industry.

Nathaniel Johnson is a Business Risk Consultant at Granite Insurance. He interned for the agency in 2018 and then joined the team full-time after he graduated from Appalachian State University. He began his journey in insurance by developing procedures for the Risk Placement Specialist position, a role that was new to the agency and required intricate project management skills. He worked as the Risk Placement Specialist for two years before he transitioned to his current role in July of 2021. Nathaniel loves developing complex insurance solutions to risk management needs and setting up everyone he works with for success. He has a passion for fostering relationships with others and enjoys his role in managing relationships between the agency and partner insurance carriers.

Aaron was born in Grand Junction, CO and has always had a love for Glenwood Springs as a child. After graduating high school, Aaron left Grand Junction for the big city (Denver) to study to become a chef. He attended Johnson & Wales University earning an A.S. in Culinary Arts and a B.S. in Food Service Management. He had the amazing opportunity to work at The Broadmoor, The Little Nell and Disney World, as well as many other restaurants in the Denver area. His passion for food has always been strong, but he missed customer service interactions.

After graduation he moved on to work at Whole Foods Market as a seafood buyer and then a Team Leader. For several years he helped open new locations and developed many strong teams and leaders within the company. In 2012 he moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to open up the Whole Foods Market in Basalt as the Associate Store Team Leader. After six years he moved on to his next journey and joined the Iron Mountain Hot Springs team as the Operation Manager in October of 2018. In 2019 he became the General Manager and has been leading this team ever since then. He enjoys the experiences our guests get when they arrive. From the daily pass holder that swings in before or after work, to the young couple that just got married, or the family that hasn’t had a vacation in years. People come here for the same thing and he is proud to be a part of that. Happily married with two young children, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, biking, snowboarding, camping or home brewing beer.

A native of Colorado, Justin Wells grew up in Greeley, immersed in the natural beauty of the Great Plains. He pursued his passion for the outdoors and community service by studying Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality at the University of Northern Colorado, within the School of Natural Health Sciences.

Justin’s career began his “life aquatic” as a lifeguard and swim instructor in his hometown. After graduating, he advanced to manage several full-service recreation facilities, where he oversaw aquatics, fitness, youth and adult sports programs, as well as facilities management and capital improvement projects. His expertise has also led him to contribute to aquatic industry associations, serving on leadership boards and speaking at various conferences and symposiums.

A frequent visitor to Glenwood Springs, Justin fell in love with the community and, after meeting his wife, saw an opportunity to establish roots in the area. He joined the team as the Assistant General Manager in October 2022. Justin is passionate about customer service, employee development, and facility operations. Outside of work, you can always find Justin on his bike or hiking and floating with his wife.