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.

Spencer is a graduate of CU Boulder (BA) and the University of Hawaii (MA). He taught web development and database management at the University of Science and International Technology program in Saigon, Vietnam, for nine years before returning to Colorado in 2023. He now teaches AI classes at CMC while also doing web development in Colorado.

Walker Christensen is a Principal with DHM Design in Durango, Colorado, with a wealth of expertise in recreation, hot springs, and mineral pool design. His expertise in reimagining hot springs across the west includes the revitalization of Ouray Hot Springs, Durango Hot Springs, and Astoria Hot Springs in Jackson, Wyoming. With a special commitment to small-town projects, he understands the significant, lasting impact these designs can have on rural communities. His design philosophy focuses on crafting spaces that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment, providing visitors with a restorative experience that honors the distinctive qualities of each location.

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.

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.

As a Principal at DHM Design in their Carbondale office, Jen brings leadership and a collaborative approach to every project, guiding her team in creating spaces that connect people with their environment. She specializes in resort and high-end residential design, with a focus on incorporating elements of nature and the built environment to enhance the health and wellness experience. Jen has worked on hot spring design projects both in the US and internationally and is passionate about the benefits of hot springs from a wellness perspective. Jen recently led the planning and design effort for the revitalization of Glenwood Hot Springs with a focus on enhancing the guest experience while preserving the site’s historical significance. Jen has gravitated towards hot springs design work as an opportunity to learn about and experience the deep history of thermal mineral bathing across cultures and traditions and she brings this context to her work, elevating underutilized hot springs amenities into more holistic wellness and place-based experiences.

Matt Garlick is a man who loves what he does! Leading The GreyEdge Group gives him a chance to use his super power- communicating technical information to people who don't currently speak "geothermal." Bridging the gap between GreyEdge's incredible experience in Thermal Energy Networks and town, campus, and utility customers, Matt pushes forward the concept of TENs as the most efficient and lowest carbon alternative to standard heating and cooling systems.

Nicole Heisig is a Certified Sound Healing Practitioner specializing in body tuning, realignment, and balance to support physiological harmony, chronic pain relief, and stress reduction. Using the therapeutic vibrations from a variety of instruments including, crystal singing bowls, chimes, and gongs, she creates immersive soundscapes that promote deep relaxation and energetic alignment. Her holistic approach helps activate the vagus nerve, regulate the nervous system, and assist with sleep disruptions, anxiety reduction, and overall well-being. Through personalized sessions, Nicole guides clients toward a state of balance, inner peace, and enhanced vitality.

Jose Ibanez, VP of Sales for Tusk Industrial, brings decades of experience in the industrial and automation space. He is excited to meet Hot Springs owners and operators to discuss how Tusk Industrial, and their industry leading pumps, can bring value and help minimize total cost of ownership in their facilities.

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.

Jordan is the Founder and Steward of Maple Grove Hot Springs & Retreat Center. He likes spending time with people who are working to improve living conditions within communities, both at home and abroad. He’s spent the last few years reviving the historic 45-acre hot spring into a thriving community-driven retreat center.. He has a background in international development, politics, and business policy and he’s serially scheming on start-ups, experiential design, and community projects. He’s the former Director of Corporate & Community Impact at CHOICE Humanitarian and Co-Founder at a civic-tech startup. He has worked as an assistant to Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, at the UN Environment Programme, and at the US Institute of Peace. He holds a BA from the University of Utah, and a Masters in Foreign Policy, International Development, and Business Policy from Georgetown University.

Jeff Moran, the Director of Operations and Facilities at Jackson, WY's Astoria Park Conservancy (APC) is a highly motivated leader with over 20 years experience in marketing, events, communications, programming, operations, and partnership development in both the for-profit and the non-profit worlds. His passion for creating relationships, building community, and visiting hot springs are what drew him to APC, the non-profit that owns and runs Astoria Hot Springs and Park. Jeff is also a professional MC for many local, national, and international events. When not at Astoria, you'll find him on the back of a motorcycle exploring the remote corners of the western U.S. and visiting other hot springs with his partner Amy and their punk-rock chiweenie, Ramone.

Richard has managed all phases of horizontal and vertical construction for three hot springs resort projects including roads, utilities, mechanical, geothermal systems, pools and buildings.

Garry Umbrich owns Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs together with his wife, Carla Pitzel. He is a Canadian with a Transylvanian Saxon heritage and grew up in Edmonton Alberta. At 21, he moved to the Yukon, but has also lived in Quebec City where he did his graduate studies in management, in Montreal where Carla completed her studies in linguistics, and in West Berlin back when there was a wall dividing Germany. He and Carla have travelled extensively throughout the world, bringing their children (Andrew and Erik) with them as "luggage" as they used to call it. Garry's first career was working for First Nations, where he specialized in both business development and self-governance. Over a period of about 25 years, his First Nation work took him to Northern Quebec, to the Arctic Islands and throughout the Yukon where he clocked about 400,000 road miles.

Garry transitioned his career to hot springs in 1999 with the purchase of the aged Takhini Hot Springs, just outside of Whitehorse, the Yukon's capital city. After many years of renovations, of research and of endless delays due to rezoning challenges, lack of financing, and regulatory hurdles, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs was finally built over a period of 5 years from 2017 to 2022. Today, he and Carla preside over Eclipse and their son, Andrew Umbrich, who is the General Manager.

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.

Marlene Neidert is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of OMfluence, where she combines destination marketing expertise with a strong focus on digital strategy, branding, and paid media. She leads campaigns that elevate wellness travel and responsible tourism, helping brands grow with intention and impact. As part of the marketing team behind Hot Springs of America, Marlene also serves as a Managing Director of the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. In that role, she’s helping guide the initiative’s next chapter through strategic marketing and brand growth, sustainable tourism and stewardship, and close collaboration with Colorado’s hot springs destinations.

Heidi Pankow has worked in tourism and marketing roles for over 30 years, with 12 years of specific experience in destination marketing and management organizations. She has been with Visit Glenwood Springs as Communications Director for 4 years. She sits on several industry boards and commissions, including the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission, Tour Colorado Board of Directors, and the Colorado Tourism Office Inclusivity in Tourism Coalition. Heidi is a Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey Class of 2019 Alum and serves as a CTLJ Alumni Ambassador and Mentor. Heidi has been directly involved in the formation of several ground-breaking collaborations and tourism initiatives, including the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop and the Roaring Fork Valley Destination Alliance. She loves to travel, golf, hiking, bicycling, live music, and spending time with family and friends.

Nicole Poole has built a distinguished 19-year career in architectural design, focusing on innovative projects within the hospitality sector. She believes that good design should be immersive, sparking emotions and connections in everyone who walks through the door. Her passion lies at the intersection of creativity and practicality, crafting spaces that are as visually stunning as they are functional. Nicole’s expertise spans everything from interior architectural design to large-scale, ground-up building projects. Nicole first honed her skills in Chicago, where she spent 16 years helping to shape the city’s dynamic dining scene. She played a key role in designing award-winning restaurants and spearheaded the historic renovation of a Chicago firehouse, transforming it into an iconic dining destination. Her talent for conceptual design extends to global brands like Topgolf and Shake Shack, where she has been involved since 2010. In 2021, Nicole brought her passion and leadership back to Northwest Arkansas, where she now leads an exceptional team at HFA. As the head of the firm’s Hospitality + Entertainment Team, she continues to push boundaries with her visionary approach to every project. Her portfolio is packed with standout destinations like WorldSprings, Golf Ranch, Smash Park, Fielding's, Dave & Buster's, Zion Hot Springs, Home Run Dugout, and Omni Toptracer. A proud alumna of the University of Arkansas, Nicole holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a Minor in Art. She is a Registered Architect through AIA and NCARB, and a LEED Accredited Professional, underscoring her dedication to sustainability in design.
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Arkansas, 2005

Michael Rysavy is Co-owner/CEO of Hot Lake Springs Resort, Co-owner/ President of Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, Co-owner/President of Bagby Preservation, and Co-author of hot springs guidebooks. Since 2013, Mike and his wife have operated Grande Hot Springs RV Resort with hot springs pools, 100 RV sites, tent sites, a tiny home, and yurts. They purchased Hot Lake Springs Resort in 2020, featuring a historic brick lodge built in 1906 and the largest hot springs in the NW US. They received land use approval for 30 lodge rooms, 5 pubs, 2 restaurants, a movie theater, conference space, and concert venue. In 2023, they began operating Bagby Hot Springs under a 20-year permit from the USFS. Mike currently sits on two local tourism related committees. Mike and his wife have visited over 500 hot springs and currently live in Oregon.

Olivia Savard is the Co-Owner and Communications Director of OMfluence, where she works with destination brands on social media strategy, content writing, and email marketing. With a background in organic growth and storytelling, Olivia helps brands build meaningful connections with travelers through content that’s both engaging and authentic. She’s especially passionate about wellness travel and sustainable tourism. In addition to being part of the Hot Springs of America marketing team, Olivia is also a Managing Director of the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, where she’s helping reimagine the initiative as a sustainable, experience-driven brand.

Christopher Smith is a Senior Geophysicist at Willowstick Technologies with a strong background in geophysical engineering, geospatial analysis, and mathematical sciences. He applies advanced geophysical techniques to solve complex subsurface challenges in environmental, energy, and infrastructure projects, focusing on groundwater flow analysis, seismic data processing, and geospatial modeling. Christopher has previously contributed to seismic processing and interpretation at DUG and GEOLEX, GIS-driven investigations at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and mechanical engineering roles at Arcimoto and EV Eugene. He holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Geophysical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences from Montana Technological University and will complete his MS in Geophysics from the University of Houston in Spring 2026. With a keen emphasis on data-driven solutions and collaborative teamwork, Christopher is dedicated to driving innovation in groundwater management, geotechnical investigations, and environmental assessments through rigorous research and forward-thinking geophysical approaches.

Dr. Roy Vore is a pool operator, researcher and frequent speaker on recreational water management, float tanks and regulations of aquatic venues. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator and Instructor for over a decade. He has been researching and developing treatments to control microbial growth in recreational water and aqueous products since 1991. Roy is a member of PHTA Recreational Water and Air Quality Committee, Chairman of the ANSI/PHTA Standard 11 Writing Committee, was a major contributor to the Disinfection Water Quality module of the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (the “MAHC”), and the lead author of PHTA’s Recreational Water Illness handbook. Roy holds a Ph.D. in bacterial physiology, masters and bachelor’s in microbiology. He has over 100 scholarly papers and presentations on the selection and use of industrial biocides, biocide testing methodology, the microbiology of swimming pools and spas, and the governmental regulation of biocides. Roy is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Float Conference.