Airport Advisory Board

“As growth struggles with charm and tradition in the Roaring Fork Valley, I feel being on the AAB means finding the right balance for our community.”

Jacquelyn Francis, climate scientist, Executive Director of an International climate action organization and a long time local, moved to Aspen in 1971 at the age of 7, attended Aspen Elementary (Yellow brick and red brick), Aspen Middle and Aspen High schools. Was on the Kids First Board when her two daughters were toddlers, started the Playhouse at the Red Brick (through lobbying the city council), was on the N40 HOA board, has been on airport committees for around 20 years and was navigator of the Aspen Airport Visionary process. She has many years of experience living next to the airport, working on airport volunteer committees, utilizing the airport for travel and working for the greater good of the Roaring Fork Valley and for global community (regarding climate action).

“I hope to build consensus among disparate community members to implement the Common Ground Recommendations defined in the BOCC 105-2020 Resolution.” 

Meg Haynes is a management consultant specializing in coaching and facilitating strategic planning for executives, communications processes, and the development and implementation of business plans. For 30+ years Meg has consulted with Fortune 100 companies’ Presidents, CEOs and executives to develop company-wide strategic business planning processes in the US, London, Hong Kong and South America. Meg’s global consultative work has focused on providing high-level creative problem solving and corporate planning initiatives. She was a Junior League national officer, a Pecos River Leadership Development facilitator, and also affiliated with the Stephen Covey Leadership Center. Prior to moving to Aspen in 1989, Meg chaired eight different Spartanburg, SC community boards. Meg was the publicly elected Aspen Valley Hospital Board President for nine years and President of the Starwood Homeowners Association and Metropolitan Boards. She assisted in initiating Leadership Aspen and provided training for Aspen participants and in other US cities. Meg was the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners’ appointed Vice Chairman of the Aspen Airport Vision Committee and a Commissioners’ Pitkin County Cares “Exceptional One Time Event” Award recipient. Meg lives in Glenwood Springs, CO, and is a licensed realtor with Sotheby’s.

“Being a pilot and flying out of Kase for such a long time it is an honor to have been chosen from so many talented individuals to represent my community.” 

Bruce has been providing the all-encompassing aerial perspective over critical issues on our Western landscapes for over 35 years. A Himalayan climber, the outdoors is close to Bruce’s heart; he has flown over 15,000 hours of conservation missions in multiple countries, mostly in bush and mountainous conditions.

Bruce is an ATP-commercial pilot with multi-engine, instrument, instructor and floatplane ratings. Passengers on his many environmental flight missions have included governors, senators, congressmen, scientists and students of all ages. Bruce and EcoFlight have received numerous awards and recognitions, such as the Conservation Hero Award, Best Business Award in Conservation, and Aspen Hall of Famer. Bruce lives in Colorado and is an Aspen Mountain Rescue member, serves on the Aspen Airport Advisory Committee, EcoFlight board, and has been a Buddy Program mentor, and served on the board of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

“I am honored to have been selected and hope that my contributions will aid in achieving a sustainable, practical and safety oriented airfield for all of the citizens in our community.”

Mike Solondz’s vast experiences make him uniquely qualified to serve the Aspen community for this very important project. Mike spent nearly 30 years in the development business building various residential and commercial projects, mostly on the east coast. His family was involved in Lakewood Airport in Ocean County NJ, and utilized FAA funding to complete improvements to the airfield. Along with his commercial pursuits, Mike served on numerous boards, both civic and trade related, and has always taken an active role in volunteering in the communities he’s served. Mike also has an extensive background in aviation, and has flown and operated various types of aircraft from small turbine propeller driven aircraft (Beechcraft King Air) to mid-sized business jets (Falcon 100) to commercial aircraft (CRJ 700) in and out of Aspen airport. Mike’s extensive real estate experience, community oriented service and intimate working knowledge of Aspen flying gives him a unique perspective as to depth and complexity of the various attributes to be considered when planning and executing projects of this magnitude.

“I am very excited to have the confidence of all 5 Commissioners and be back on the Airport Authority Board again”

Andrew Doremus, is a lifelong Aspen resident and a dedicated member of our community. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the well-being of the Aspen Valley. With over 45 years of flying experience in the Aspen Valley, Andrew has not only demonstrated his expertise in aviation but also his passion for serving others. Andrew’s extensive background includes serving as President of the Aspen Valley Ski Club, Vice President of the Aspen Hall of Fame, Chief Pilot and Vice President of the Aspen Flight Academy, and membership in the Aspen Junior Hockey Board. Additionally, he has owned an Aircraft Charter Company and FBO in Rifle for 12 years. Andrew’s flying career encompasses a wide range of aircraft, from gliders to the Aspen Airways BAC 146 (4-engine jet), providing him with invaluable knowledge and insight into the aviation industry. As a new member of the AAB (Airport Advisory Board), Andrew is eager to contribute to making Aspen the safest mountain airport possible. He is committed to leveraging the newest technology while prioritizing environmental sustainability. Andrew’s dedication to the community and his extensive experience make him a valuable asset to the AAB.

“As the AAB provides input on the design of the New Terminal, I look forward to sharing valuable “ lessons learned” ( often painfully) from my community development career: Actively seeking input early in the planning process –from a wide range of officials, residents, and stakeholders– will save months and millions of dollars. Making timely decisions will be critical to achieve the aspirations of the ASE Common Ground Vision Statement and the County’s schedule and budget.” 

Jim was born in a small town in West Virginia. He and his wife Dianne moved from Hilton Head Island, SC to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1978, when Jim and his long-term partner, Jim Chaffin, formed a new company to acquire 3,000 acres to become the second major developers of Snowmass Village. The Lights raised their two sons in Snowmass Village. The Chaffins and Lights and their partners donated the land and existing ranch buildings for the renowned

Anderson Ranch Art Center and provided ongoing leadership to raise funds for the Ranch’s new buildings. They also donated the land for the non-denominational Snowmass Chapel, and land and capital for miles of trails and recreation facilities including the Town park and ballfields. They donated land for and built affordable housing as part of their commitment to develop a livable community in balance with the expanding resort. See: www.chaffinlight.com.

Light and Chaffin joined others in 1996 to develop the Roaring Fork Club in Basalt. Jim began as the Co-Managing Partner and was the Managing Partner from 1997 to 2012. The Club and the Town of Basalt co-founded the Roaring Fork Conservancy based in Basalt with a mission to protect the entire Roaring Fork River watershed. For more than a decade, Jim and Dianne have been active in the Roaring Fork PreCollegiate Program, which operates in the Roaring Fork School District and serves students who will become the first in their families to attend college. The Lights were mentors for 11 students in the Basalt 8th grade through graduation in 2018 from Basalt High School. Jim has served as President of the Program’s Advisory Board for several years. Please click here for more information on the Precollegiate Program [https://rfprecollegiate.org]

“I am honored and excited to be chosen as a member of the Pitkin County Airport Advisory Board. We are embarking on a period of great change and improvement for the airport both in operations and built environment and with my experience in design and knowledge of the valley’s needs I can positively impact these improvements.”

Ann Mullins is a landscape architect who lives and works in Aspen. She has been in practice for over 40 years, focusing on environmentally sustainable design and preservation of historical and cultural landscapes. During that time, she has also worked closely with the City of Aspen as both a volunteer and elected City Council Member.

“High quality, efficient and effective transportation systems are paramount to protecting our outstanding community character.”

Clint Kinney is currently the Town Manager of Snowmass Village having served in this position since 2014. Previously he served as the City Manager of Fruita, CO from 2002-2014, and worked in the Durango City Manager’s office prior to that. Even with all of this time on the Western Slope, he still doesn’t own cowboy boots and has never worn a bolo tie. He concedes that his management style is more like Ron Swanson than Chris Traeger. Clint has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Clint is fortunate enough to be married, have two outstanding daughters, and gets to enjoy his fair share of time on ski and bike trails and traveling.

“I am thankful to help represent the down valley communities that utilize the airport.”

My name is Catherine Christoff, and I am the Town Engineer for Basalt. I have been living and working as an engineer in the Roaring Fork Valley for over 15 years, including 9 years working for Pitkin County. As an ex officio member of the Airport Advisory Board, I hope to provide a down valley community perspective as the airport plans develop in a way that is focused on a healthy and safe environment.

“I hope to ensure a robust suite of ground transportation solutions at the new Commercial Air Terminal.”

I am honored to represent the City of Aspen on the AAB. My involvement with ASE began in 2018 when I applied to the Visioning Process to focus on reimagining the airport’s ground transportation connectivity. I was also a member of the FBO Operator Selection Committee and advised the County on its lease negotiation with Atlantic Aviation. The airport’s modernization will be one of the largest infrastructure projects on the Western Slope. As a member of County’s Financial Advisory Board, I will assist the County in evaluating its financing options for the airport’s reconstruction.