Grand Teton National Park Foundation—a nonprofit group that raises money to help fund key areas of the park’s operations, infrastructure and programs—has appointed new members to its board of directors and resource council.

Max Chapman, Natalie Clark, and Jeff Hanson have joined the Foundation board; Debbie Barker, John Gerber, Sandy Hessler, Renny Jackson, and Glenn Ray are the newest members of the resource council, according to a statement released by the Foundation.

“We are pleased to welcome an exceptional and dynamic group to join our leadership team this fall,” said Foundation President Leslie Mattson. “Our advisors bring valuable guidance, experience and perspective and serve as liaisons between Grand Teton National Park and its local and national constituents.”

The Foundation has funded ongoing initiatives in Grand Teton, including youth engagement, wildlife research, and Inspiring Journeys: a Campaign for Jenny Lake which will transform the trails and visitor complex at the park’s most-visited destination.

Joining the board of directors:

Max Chapman, Jr. is chairman of Gardner Capital Management, a private investment firm.  The former CEO of Kidder Peabody & Co. and Nomura Holding America Inc., Max has a home in Jackson and formerly served on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation board of directors.  Max previously served on the GTNPF board from 2000 through 2011.

Natalie Clark is a classically trained fine artist.  Her work has been featured on “Good Morning America” and in national interior magazines. Natalie and her partner Henry Armour split their time between Jackson and the Washington, D.C. area.  Natalie previously served on the Foundation’s resource council.

Jeff Hanson is executive vice president/partner of The Hampshire Companies, a real estate investment company and partner of The Convergence Hampshire Opportunity Fund which is based in Jackson. Jeff, his wife, Sarah, and three adult children became full time residents of Jackson in September 2009.  Jeff previously served on the Foundation’s resource council.

Joining the resource council:

Deborah Barker is chair of the board of trustees of Bowdoin College.  She spent her professional career in investment banking for Prudential Securities, Inc.  A resident of Short Hills, New Jersey, she and her husband, Randy, and their two sons are seasonal residents of Jackson.

Sandy Schultz Hessler began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble and has since been involved in a number of start-ups and consulting ventures.  Sandy served as assistant dean at Harvard Kennedy School of Government before moving to Jackson. She is currently a JH Ski Club board member and this summer she volunteered as a part-time ranger at Jenny Lake in GTNP.

Renny Jackson is the former chief climbing ranger of Grand Teton National Park.  He is coauthor of A Climber’s Guide to the Teton Range, has served on the board of directors of the American Alpine Club and is the recipient of several distinguished awards from the Department of Interior.

Glenn Ray practiced real estate, securities and tax law and worked for a real estate development firm before co-founding Celeritas Technologies, Ltd., where he served as CEO.  Glenn and his wife moved to Jackson in 2001 and Glenn now works as a ski instructor for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Contact Yellowstone Gate at 307-213-9818 or [email protected].