Here at the Alliance, we feel so fortunate to have such a professional, engaged, and impressive Board of Directors, some of whom have been a part of the organization since our founding in 1979.
Adding to that tradition of exceptional board members, we are delighted to welcome Kirk Davenport to the team. “New to the valley full-time, but long a Jackson Hole lover, Kirk brings unbridled enthusiasm and a principled desire to protect this extraordinary place,” Alliance Co-Chair Mark Sullivan said. “Kirk is a most welcome addition to the team.”
Kirk was a securities lawyer in New York City for 32 years until moving to the area with his wife, Peggy Davenport, in 2016. They were drawn to the valley by the wildlife, natural beauty, and strong sense of community here.
Welcome to the board, Kirk!
As the board adds new members, we sadly also have said goodbye to two passionate, wildlife-loving members who recently finished their terms with us.
Shirley Thomas’s involvement with the Alliance dates back to the 1990s, when her daughter, Heather (Thomas) Overholser, was on the Alliance staff. Her passion for the organization’s mission remained strong even after her daughter pursued other endeavors, and she joined the Alliance board in 2010 after retiring as a healthcare administrator.
Sullivan said of Shirley: “She was a superb Board member with a deep passion for protecting Jackson Hole and its wildlife. Her staunch support and steady hand will be missed.”
We expect to continue to see a lot of Shirley, and her husband Dan Thomas, as they have always been two of the Alliance’s strongest volunteers.
Thanks for bringing a lot of passion and a lot of fun to the board, Shirley!
Taylor Phillips, whose second term ended late last year, also joined the board in 2010.
“With the knowledge and experience of a trained wildlife biologist, and thousands of hours in the field, Taylor lent an informed perspective to the organization that will be hard to replace,” Sullivan noted of Taylor.
Taylor’s commitment to the area’s wildlife will not end with his board term, however, because as the owner of EcoTour Adventures, Taylor sends wildlife ambassadors out every day to interact with visitors and friends. Taylor’s business is also a sponsor of the Alliance’s collaborative ‘Don’t Poach the Powder’ initiative, so we look forward to continuing our relationship with Taylor in the years ahead.
Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge of biology with us, Taylor!
You can meet all of the Alliance’s board on our website.
Shirley Thomas Taylor Phillips