Chapter Executive Committee
Grand Canyon Chapter
5 seats are up
Nick Arnold (#50709617)
I am running for re-election because I am proud of the work I've been able to do as Political Committee Chair and want to continue the efforts of ramping up Grand Canyon Chapter's efforts to endorse strong leaders for public office, support the policy issues that make protecting and enjoying our climate, public lands, and wildlife possible, and ensure Arizona's policymakers are accountable to Sierra Club values.
Gary Beverly (#11123716)
I am seeking election as an at-large member to the Chapter ExComm and the Yavapai Group ExComm. I have been a member of the Sierra Club for four decades and have been active in the Yavapai Group ExComm since 2006 as vice-Chair, Outings Chair, Publications, and currently as Chair. My primary project is to protect the base flow and riparian environment of Arizona rivers. I led a Sierra Club effort to write the "Citizens Proposal for the Upper Verde Wild and Scenic River” and have participated since 2010 in the development of the management plan for the Fossil Creek WSR. My other interests are in air and water quality, the Grand Canyon, forest management, and in trails. If elected, I will continue my efforts with increased vigor. These are the most challenging times for environmental interests in the last century, so now we must redouble our efforts by speaking loudly and clearly to defend the earth that sustains us.
Salil Deshpande (#4411188)
I’m running for the Sierra Club Executive Committee because I have a lifelong passion for environmental issues. I’m a father of two and want to leave my kids a livable planet and a thriving democracy. I understand how vital the Sierra Club’s work is in these areas. Living in Tucson, we enjoy hiking in Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park—places I want to preserve for future generations. I also want to support environmental champions for public office and hold them accountable once they are elected.
Vanessa Gallego ( #47782532)
I am Vanessa Gallego and I would like to continue to be a member of the Executive Committee for the Grand Canyon Chapter.
I am committed to helping the chapter with processes such as restorative justice and the importance of the Equity Trail Map. Protecting Arizona resources and conservation is at a critical place under this administration and demand for resources threatens our home. I know that the place to make policy changes in Arizona and nationally is at the chapter. In the past two years I have learned tremendously from leaders around me and would appreciate the opportunity to serve and learn at chapter level.
I am Chief Operating Officer of a family owned and operated metal recycling company that practices land and natural resource conservation through recycling of metal commodities such as copper. I am an active member of the City of Tucson Commission of Climate, Energy and Sustainability and part of Mayor Regina Romero’s advisory council on climate action.
Stephanie Vazquez (#47348942)
My name is Stephanie Vazquez, and I am seeking a seat on the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Executive Committee. Since joining the Sierra Club as an intern and volunteer in 2018, I have embraced a variety of roles that have deepened my commitment to advancing the Chapter’s mission. I was a member of the ExCom for several years, having stepped down to welcome my daughter in 2023. Most recently, I have served as PAC Treasurer for our Political Committee.
I hold a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Sustainability from Arizona State University and recently earned a Master’s in Public Policy. My professional background provides a strong policy-based foundation, while my lived experiences and years of volunteer service ground my work in a deep understanding of equity and inclusion.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to return to the Executive Committee and continue working to protect our public lands, promote environmental justice, and ensure a sustainable future for all.
Palo Verde Group
Palo Verde Group
5 seats are up
Greg Brooks
I am writing this letter to express my interest in continuing to serve in my role as a board member with the Palo Verde Branch of the Sierra Club. I have served several terms with the board, and I would like to continue, as I feel I have so much more to learn and to offer. Much of what I have learned has come through the development of an after-school high school club called the Glendale Conservation Society. I started the club in 2017 and fellow board member, Natalia Delatorre, served as the very first club president. We have partnered with several of the other branches of Sierra Club, and this partnership has created positive pathways for students - who have graduated from Glendale High School - to pursue in college. Several of the former officers have entered the fields of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, and Environmental Science. I would love to learn much more about the Sierra Club and continue the relationship between the Sierra Club and GCS. This relationship has served me well, as I was nominated by Urb Weidner and won the 2021 Arizona Game and Fish Educator of the Year award.
Kathy Mohr-Almeida, Ph.D. (#43413679)
I would like to continue to serve our environmental community on the Palo Verde Grand Canyon Chapter Executive Committee because I am deeply committed to the conservation of Arizona’s resources and wildlife, elimination of invasive species, and the mitigation of the climate crisis in Arizona.
My continuance on the Palo Verde Sierra Club Executive Committee will advance the coalition building I have created over my previous terms between our community and multiple local and national environmental communities outside of Sierra Club. I will continue to work hard on environmental projects and issues identified as important by the GCSC membership. I work closely with youth climate activists, am fully Spanish-English bilingual and possess a lively and open mind.
Horst Schmidt (#55347264)
My name is Horst Schmidt. I live in Gilbert in the Palo Verde Group area running for an at-large position. I've had a connection with Arizona over the last four decades due to my late mother residing in the state before settling here in 2023. Previous environmental advocacy has been in Michigan for the last 15 years in the state's Upper Peninsula. Working with UP groups fighting new copper mines, fighting the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline, wolf protection, energy issues (renewables vs methane power plants). I've sat on many boards as well as holding officer positions with local, regional and statewide environmental organizations.
Since settling in Arizona, I have worked with the Sierra Grand Canyon Chapter primarily tabling at local events and testifying from time to time at local, state and national public hearings and meeting with staff of our US senators. I've been involved with AZ Interfaith Power and Light.
I'm interested in working on energy and water issues and, in particular, AI/data centers as Arizona's economic development juggernaut does not seem to recognize limits to our natural resources.
Don Steuter (#23812444)
My main interest with the Sierra Club since joining in the late 1980’s has been protection of public lands, in particular working to stop overly destructive mining projects in our most special landscapes and preventing cattle grazing in our hot deserts and biologically important riparian areas.
My history with the Sierra Club includes chairing the Palo Verde Group Conservation Committee (1990 to the present) and the Chapter Conservation Committee (2001 to present). I have worked on several campaigns and projects over the years including organizing with others the Conferences on Conservation of State Lands (COSTL – 1998-99) and as a steering committee member for the Citizen’s Growth Management Initiative in 2000. I also worked on the Grand Canyon Campaign Protection Committee, am on the steering committee for the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, represented the Chapter at Council of Club Leaders, and serve as secretary for the Chapter Political Committee.
Working with the oldest and most influential conservation organization and its many hard working and committed members has been an honor. With your vote I’ll continue the effort to keep our air and water clean and our wild places wild.
Saguaro Group
Saguaro Group
3 seats are up
Jo Sylvester (#45899045)
Jo Sylvester, member since 2012. As the Saguaro Group leader, I have enjoyed working with this group and helping to plan our activities. We have been very involved in helping Wild at Heart and Southwest Wildlife with various projects. Giving my time to others has always been important to me. I want to be part of a group of people who value the environment and are willing to work for it.
Yavapai Group
Yavapai Group
3 seats are up
Gary Beverly (#11123716)
I am seeking election as an at-large member to the Chapter ExComm and the Yavapai Group ExComm. I have been a member of the Sierra Club for four decades and have been active in the Yavapai Group ExComm since 2006 as vice-Chair, Outings Chair, Publications, and currently as Chair. My primary project is to protect the base flow and riparian environment of Arizona rivers. I led a Sierra Club effort to write the "Citizens Proposal for the Upper Verde Wild and Scenic River” and have participated since 2010 in the development of the management plan for the Fossil Creek WSR. My other interests are in air and water quality, the Grand Canyon, forest management, and in trails. If elected, I will continue my efforts with increased vigor. These are the most challenging times for environmental interests in the last century, so now we must redouble our efforts by speaking loudly and clearly to defend the earth that sustains us.
Jenny Cobb (#47163310)
I have served on the Yavapai Group Executive Committee for the past 8 years and am currently the Secretary and an Outings Leader. I also serve as the Outings Chair for the Grand Canyon Chapter. I lead the Upper Verde River Water Flow Monitoring for Water Sentinels every month. I am deeply involved in myriad environmental and conservation issues, including grazing, landscape restoration, mining, water, wildlife corridors, recovery of the Mexican Gray Wolf, wildlife in the Borderlands, climate change, supporting rights of indigenous peoples, air quality, continuing protection of the black-footed ferret, and stewardship of forest trails. I am also the Yavapai-Prescott Broadband Leader of Great Old Broads for Wilderness (environmental partners of the Sierra Club in Arizona), conservationists who are advocates, stewards and educators for wild lands. I am a member of Central AZ Wildlife Alliance. I am the Chuckwagon for many Sierra Club and Great Old Broads events. My truck is always ready for field work, packed with camping, chuckwagon, and backpacking gear. I am a retired college instructor. Thank you for your vote so that I can continue my advocacy and stewardship for our wild lands and wildlife.
Stephen Cook (#47820542)
I’ve been an intermittent Sierra Club member since the early 1970s. In February 1978, financially supported by the (then) Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (through the Ozark Headwaters Group / Arkansas Sierra Club chapter), I flew to Washington DC and successfully lobbied the USFS and EPA to stop aerial spraying of herbicides in national forests, part of a continuing battle over national forest management. My interest in this topic—along with fighting air and water pollution— continues today. Likewise, as a pioneer in the residential use (since 1980) of photovoltaic solar energy, my interest in it is long-standing—reinforced in recent decades by climate change concerns. My continual Sierra Club membership began in 2015. I’ve served as a Yavapai Group ExComm member since mid-2017 and for nearly as long on the Chapter Political Committee. If reelected, I will continue to focus my environmental activist energy on environmental protection efforts in Yavapai County and Arizona.
Nopales Group
Nopales Group
4 seats up
Vanessa Gallego (#47782532)
I am Vanessa Gallego and I would like to continue to be a member of the Nopales Group's Executive Committee.
I have served since the formation of Nopales and have been committed to bridging Sierra Club and helping empower historically disinvestment communities through uplifting of voices and issues while fostering a space for advocacy and change.
I am Chief Operating Officer of a family owned and operated metal recycling company that practices land and natural resource conservation through recycling of metal commodities such as copper. I am an active member of the City of Tucson Commission of Climate, Energy and Sustainability and part of Mayor Regina Romero’s advisory council on climate action.
Flagstaff/Northern AZ
(Under reorganization)