Gary J. Wolfe, Ph.D., Executive Director
Ryan A. Lutey, J.D., Director of Lands
Sarah Canepa, M.S., Lands Specialist
R. Kiffin Hope, M.H., Development Program Manager
Shannon Foley, Office Manager
Shelly Wear, Administrative Assistant
Gary J. Wolfe, Ph.D., Executive Director
Vital Ground Staff Member since October 2004
Gary Wolfe is a career conservationist with more than 30 years of experience working in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. He attended the University of New Mexico, majoring in biology and chemistry, then earned masters and doctorate degrees in wildlife biology from Colorado State University. During college, he enjoyed five summers as a park ranger at Mount Rainier and Big Bend National Parks, where his commitment to a conservation career was solidified. Gary spent 12 years as a wildlife biologist at the 500,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico, followed by 15 years with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, including 3 years as President and Chief Executive Officer. Gary is active with a number wildlife and conservation organizations, and has served on numerous boards and advisory committees. He lives in Missoula, Montana with his wife, Rita, where they enjoy the wildlife and wild places of the Northern Rockies. email: gwolfe @ vitalground.org
Ryan A. Lutey, J.D., Director of Lands
Vital Ground Staff Member since February 2005
Ryan began a career in wildlife conservation working in public relations for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation between 1996 and 2001, then working as director of media relations for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership during the organization’s early years. In 2004, he received a law degree and an Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate from the University of Montana School of Law ─ also serving on the Pace University Environmental Moot Court Competition team, and as editor-in-chief of the University of Montana’s 2003-04 Public Lands and Natural Resources Law Review. Ryan clerked for the USDA Forest Service Office of General Counsel and the National Wildlife Federation before joining Vital Ground in 2005. Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, spend any free time exploring grizzly country in Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. email: rlutey @ vitalground.org
Sarah Canepa, M.S., Lands Specialist
Vital Ground Staff Member since March 2008
Sarah was raised in the woods of Lincoln County, Montana, before heading off to Missoula to earn both a Bachelors and Masters of Science from the School of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana. Her studies emphasized both people and landscapes with a focus on International Conservation and Development. It was while she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay from 2003-2005, that she finally realized her passion for rural peoples and wild places in the American West. This led her back to Troy, where she began her conservation work with the Yaak Valley Forest Council. Sarah enjoys living in the Kootenai River Valley and stays involved with a variety of community organizations. When Sarah is not sharing coffee with landowners, she and her partner Shane are out exploring with their freckled pup. email: scanepa @ vitalground.org
R. Kiffin Hope, M.H., Development Program Manager
Vital Ground Staff Member since September 2006
Kiffin Hope is a born and bred outdoor enthusiast, having grown up in rural South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains. He moved West in 1994 and worked in the hospitality and financial services industries in Denver, serving as a senior retirement investment counselor at TIAA-CREF from 1998 to 2002. Kiffin earned his Master of Humanities degree from the University of Colorado-Denver, where his studies emphasized Deep Ecology and the global ecocrisis. Kiffin is active in the community and volunteers extensively for the Missoula Family YMCA. Kiffin, his wife Jennifer, and daughters Katie and Lizzie spend much time out-of-doors among Montana's many natural wonders. email: khope @ vitalground.org
Shannon Foley, Office Manager
Vital Ground Staff Member since May 2005
Shannon Foley worked in the medical and dental field for more than a decade before turning her attention to wildlife conservation. Prior to joining the Vital Ground Foundation, she gained experience, knowledge, and a great love of conservation working for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and The Boone and Crockett Club. Shannon lives in Alberton, Montana with her husband Willie, their sons, Shane and Matthew, and critters of the canine, feline and equine variety. She spends her free time camping, volunteering, and enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends. email: sfoley @ vitalground.org
Shelly Wear, Administrative Assistant
Vital Ground Staff Member since May 2007
Shelly has always devoted herself to work with conservation and community organizations. She began her career in 1979 with the Great Falls Tribune, and subsequently worked with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Forest Foundation, and most recently with a company that builds affordable housing throughout Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. Shelly lives near Missoula with her husband Dick, and their son, Evan, along with canine family member, Rusty. Shelly spends her spare time volunteering with her church and enjoying Montana's beautiful outdoors with her family. email: swear @ vitalground.org