Chimney Rock Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization, is devoted to providing our community, youth, visitors and volunteers a meaningful connection with the National Monument by creating enjoyable, educational, interpretative programs that connect our modern lives to those of the ancestral Puebloans.

Jill Sutton – President

My name is Jill Sutton. I have been a volunteer with CRIA for 5 years, serving as Secretary on the Board for 3 of those years. I relocated to California last year to be closer to my son and his growing family. I realized Californy was not the place I ought to be, not like the Clampetts!  So, I am back living in paradise.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, the youngest of five children. I attended the University of Nebraska for one year before moving with my parents to a small town outside of Joplin, Missouri. While there I enjoyed 3 years of being an only child and attended Missouri Southern State College (now part of the university system). I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and met the love of my life, my husband Eric. We were married after I graduated in 1982 and moved to Rolla, Missouri where Eric earned his Geological Engineering degree, and I worked at the Medical Center. After short stints in Oklahoma City and Amarillo, Texas, we settled in Tulsa where we would live for the next 27 years. There we raised our 2 children, 9 rescue cats, 11 rescue dogs along with various fish, lizards, rabbits and snakes.

My parents instilled in me a strong sense of community service. I have volunteered with the Special Olympics as an assistant swim coach, with Jenks and Tulsa Public Schools as a math/reading tutor, playground monitor, science fair advisor, with Tulsa County Conservation District monitoring the health of local creeks and rivers, and with AmeriCorps as a Reading Partner. I learned the art of multi-tasking from my career as a Medical Technologist. I learned the importance of teamwork while working as an evening supervisor. I learned the importance of paying attention to detail when I became the quality control manager for the laboratory.

I love being a CRIA volunteer. My hope is for CRIA to continue to grow and prosper while recognizing their vision and pursuing their mission.

Lace Stevens – Vice President

My first career was that of an educator in Lafayette, LA, teaching every grade from K to 8. My second career is much more germane to CRIA. It began as a volunteer at Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. That soon evolved to become an employee of Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) — working in the bookstore. Eventually, the position of Executive Director was established, and I became the first ED. My duties were numerous — challenging — demanding. And I loved it!  Currently, I am one of the two Gift Shop Managers at Chimney Rock. I assist Joanne Lucariello with inventory and supervision of Gift Shop volunteers. I am on the Fundraising Committee.  I look forward to continuing my work with CRIA at Chimney Rock National Monument as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Bernadette Sikes – Secretary

I am a southern Colorado native and was born in Trinidad. I was raised in Thornton and briefly attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In my adult life, I have lived in Loveland, Denver, Elizabeth, Parker, and now Pagosa Springs.  My husband, Bob, and I moved to Pagosa Springs in 2020 wishing to enjoy our retirement in this beautiful locale and to be closer to our family. We will celebrate our 52nd Anniversary in October. We have been blessed with 2 children, 9 Grandchildren, and 2 (soon to be 3) Great Grandchildren. I love being a Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma.

I fell in love with Chimney Rock the first time that I visited the Monument. There is just something special there that makes me feel comfortable and at peace. I knew I wanted to be there a lot and set out to find out how to accomplish that. I found CRIA and became a volunteer.

Rhonda Julian – Treasurer

My name is Rhonda Julian. This is my second year volunteering at Chimney Rock National Monument. I grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas with three sisters and a brother. We were twenty miles from town and had to work on the farm.  I went to Bethany Nazarene College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Business. I had two sons and went back to get my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Dallas Baptist University while working a full–time job as Controller at a Nissan store there.  My latest work experience is working for Asbury Automotive since 2002 as a Market Controller. I was responsible for eight dealerships where the store Controllers reported to me.  I retired in January 2020 and moved to Pagosa Springs. I occasionally go back to the DFW area to see family. I have five grandchildren who are special in my heart.

Anthony “Tony” Aldwell – Trustee at Large

Tony has just completed his second season as a CRIA Interpretive Guide.  He describes this as a truly rewarding, always enjoyable experience.  Tony discovered Pagosa and Chimney Rock 44 years ago and moved here permanently two years ago after 50 years of work in the national security arena.  A graduate of Saint Olaf College and the Naval Postgraduate School, he served as an Air Force officer.  Initially focused on the Middle East, Tony served as air attaché at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia.  After 30 years of Air Force duty, Tony became a Defense Department Civil Servant and eventually a member of the US Government’s Senior Executive Service.  His final national security task was as the Director of European Policy for Lockheed Martin’s Government Affairs office.

Tony fully appreciates the essential role of CRIA to advance the responsible stewardship of CRNM through awareness, education and close collaboration with the USFS.  He looks forward to doing more of that as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ronnie Vierra Doctor – Trustee at Large

Ronnie has been living in Pagosa since she graduated from college in Northern California in 1986.  As a graduate of the Recreation Department, she has spent time working in the Rec/Hospitality/Tour industry her whole career.  She had family in Santa Fe in the early 1900’s in the art world and has a huge appreciation for the Native history and culture present in the four corners area.  She and her husband raised two children in Pagosa and both are off on their own now.  She and her husband report they are working towards slowing down (SLOWLY).  She looks forward to her volunteer time spent with an organization like CRIA.  She finds the group to be positive, dedicated and so hard working.

Ernie O’Toole – Trustee at Large

My name is Ernie OToole. I have been a CRIA volunteer for over ten years. During that time, I have been a tour guide, mesa host, plaza host, and shuttle driver at the Monument. I have served on the board as both Vice President, and President. I also coordinate the lectures for CRIA’s Lecture Series, and I am also the Tour Guide Certification Coordinator.
I was born and raised in Boston and moved to Colorado in 1968. I earned an Engineering Degree and worked as an Aerospace Engineer for Lockheed/Martin in
Denver for 25 years. I retired early and went back to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in ecology and then worked as a wildlife biologist and Forest Ranger till I totally retired at the age of 70.
I moved from Jackson County CO to Pagosa Springs in 2014. I immediately started to volunteer for CRIA and the Forest Service. I am passionate about Chimney Rock, and want to do all I can to tell the story of the Ancestral Puebloans, the Chaco Culture and Chimney Rock National Monument. I also volunteer for the Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol and for Archuleta Seniors Inc. as a Meals on Wheels delivery person.

Kathleen Thompson – Trustee at Large

I was born and raised in Rockwall, Texas on a ranch where life was simple, but we worked. Little did I know that it was going to set my work ethic as an adult. After getting my degree, I then moved to California and met my husband of 44 years.

I worked in escrow and headed up the regional escrow division for 32 years. At that time, I served on the board of directors for LAEA (Los Angeles County Escrow Association) and on CEA (California Escrow Association).  I also volunteered to help collect food for pantries and churches and helped with food prep and serving at LA Mission for the homeless.

I went on to volunteer at Tarzana Medical Facility with Alzheimer’s, dementia, frontal lobe, and Parkinson’s patients. After 6 months I was offered a job and worked there for 11 years.  I went on to help patients and their families with the end of life. At that time the emotional stress was getting to me, so my husband and I retired.  We were tired of the hustle and bustle of California and wanted a simpler life. So, we are here in beautiful Pagosa Springs where I served this last year as a volunteer and board member for a one-year term.