Rocky Mountain Field Institute Personnel

Mark Hesse, Director

Mark holds undergraduate and Masters degrees in education from the Univ. of Colorado at Boulder. He is presently a Masters degree candidate in Applied Geography at the Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Mark served as executive director of The American Mountain Foundation from 1989 to 1998, and presently holds the same position with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute following AMF's reorganization in 1999. Prior to assuming the directorship of the AMF/RMFI, Mark worked for over 20 years in the field of outdoor education with a variety of populations. He was employed in various capacities for the Colorado Outward Bound School from Instructor to Project Director of the Colorado Springs Program. He served as Program Director of the Southwest Outward Bound School on the early 80's. In the late 70's, Mark co-founded the Santa Fe Mountain Center, an adventure-based therapeutic program for adjudicated youth and adults in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a recipient of the American Alpine Club's David Brower Award for Mountain Conservation.

Eric Billmeyer, Associate Director

Eric holds undergraduate and Masters degrees in Geography and Environmental Science from the Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Eric has been conducting extensive research on Pikes Peak since 2003, examining the hydrology of the peak and its associated affect on erosion and sedimentation. Eric is spearheading RMFI's efforts to mitigate erosion and sedimentation damage to streams and wetlands that has occurred on the North Slope of Pikes Peak. Eric also is an instructor (Honoraria) at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs teaching courses on Geomorphology, GPS and GIS, and Environmental Problems of Colorado and is on the board of directors for Friends of the Peak.

Liz Nichol, Office Manager/Outreach Coordinator

Liz has worked as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound, and continues to guide for Adventure Specialists. After an Everest Expedition in 1987 she co-founded the Everest Environmental Project to do cleanup work in the Tibetan base camps on the north side of the peak. She has been on the Board of the Friends of Cheyenne Canyon as Treasurer, and Manager of the Hummingbird Garden at Starsmore Discovery Center.

Becky Reed, Program Coordinator/Instructor

Becky holds a bachelors degree from Colorado College. She has worked as a member of RMFI's field staff since 2003 and is presently serving as Program Coordinator for field programs. A Colorado native and avid climber and skier, she has spent most of her life seeking adventure in the outdoors. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in environmental law.

Jen Caplinger-Ramirez, Senior Instructor

Jen is a graduate of the Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs where she received a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies and is a former Earth Corps student. She has been working field programs for RMFI since 2006 and is the lead instructor for our Earth Corps programs.

Bryan Becker, Senior Instructor

Bryan is an accomplished mountaineer, rock climber, and skier. He has worked in numerous capacities for RMFI since 2000, and currently directs many of RMFI's field activities. In addition to working for RMFI, he is the owner of Lichen Mountain Works through which he works as a climbing guide.

Chris Alstrin, Senior Instructor

Chris is a graduate of the Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs where he received a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies. He is an accomplished mountaineer, rock climber, and filer maker. Chris has worked for RMFI since 2001.

Dennis Jackson, Senior Instructor

Dennis brings extensive experience in recreation, education and the outdoors to RMFI. He holds an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management from the Univ. of Oregon and a Masters degree in education from Cal. Poly. Dennis was a public school teacher for ten years and has since worked in numerous capacities in the fields of outdoor education and adventure-based therapy. Dennis has also worked extensively as both a climbing and river guide. He is the author of Rock-Climbing: New Mexico published by Falcon Press.