About Us

Doris VanNess   

Doris VanNess was raised in Saguache, Colorado, and married her husband, Jerry Van Ness, in 1972. Together they have two children—Monte, who lives in Texas, and Jessica, who resides in Arizona—as well as four grandsons.

In 1997, Doris and Jerry moved to Bedrock, Colorado, where they own and operate Van Ness Angus Ranch, raising registered Angus bulls and cows for resale and meat production. The Van Ness family has been a proud member of the Western Colorado Angus Association since 1992.

Doris dedicated 16 years of service as an EMT for the Paradox Valley Ambulance Service, including 14 years as EMS Coordinator. In 2005, she was appointed by the Montrose County Commissioners to serve on the Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (RETAC) board, where she remained active until 2016.

Her passion for community involvement is reflected in her service on numerous boards and organizations, including:

• Montrose County Fair Board (7 years)
   
• Montrose County Hospital Board of Trustees
   
• Western Slope CattleWomen, where she was a member for 12 years and served as President for 4
   
• West End Family Link Center (WEFLC), where she served as a board member for three years, returned in 2016, and served as Secretary until 2021. She currently holds the role of Board Chair.
   

Doris brings decades of leadership, agricultural experience, and a deep commitment to rural community health and development to her role on the WEFLC Board.

Jim Womeldorf

Jim Womeldorf relocated to Colorado in 1977 from the Finger Lakes region of western New York. Over the years, he has built a diverse professional background, including careers in solo guitar instruction, land surveying, and massage therapy. Most notably, Jim spent nearly 30 years in upper-level nonprofit management, supporting individuals with psychiatric and intellectual disabilities.

For the final 19 years of his career, Jim served as Adult Services Director at Community Options in Montrose, Colorado, where he was instrumental in leading programs that empowered adults with disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives. He retired in 2021.

That same year, Jim and his wife moved to Nucla, Colorado, where they now reside with their beloved corgis. Deeply connected to the natural world, Jim enjoys hiking, trail running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, solo guitar, photography, and spending time outdoors in the beauty of the West End.

Jim brings a wealth of leadership, compassion, and dedication to rural communities through his role on the WEFLC Board.

Glade Hadden

Glade Hadden brings a lifelong passion for archaeology, education, and community to his role with West End Family Link. Born and raised on the Northern Ute Reservation in Utah, Glade earned his doctorate in archaeology from the University of Utah in 1998, following early fieldwork that began in 1990 and a master’s degree completed in 1992. He worked extensively as a private archaeological consultant before joining the Bureau of Land Management, where he served in Rangely and Meeker.

In 2018, Glade moved to Colorado’s Paradox Valley to be closer to the La Sal Mountains—a landscape he deeply appreciates. Alongside his professional work, he leads rock art tours, polishes stones as a hobby, and has recently focused his energy on dinosaur tracking, having published several papers in the field.

Glade is married to Susan, who is a professional silversmith. He joined the West End Family Link board about three years ago as a way to give back to the community he now calls home. His deep respect for history, nature, and service continues to guide his work on behalf of local families.

Annie Johnson

 Originally from Washington State, Annie Johnson was raised on a dairy farm and cattle ranch, instilling in her a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for rural life. She moved to Telluride in 1985 and has since called several towns in the region home, including Norwood, Placerville, Rico, and, since 2015, Nucla.

Annie is the proud mother of two daughters and grandmother to three grandsons. Widowed in 2011, she remains deeply rooted in community life and passionate about the outdoors. She enjoys international travel, skiing, hiking, fishing, and diving—anything that brings her closer to nature.

Professionally, Annie's work has spanned counseling and social services, where she dedicated herself to helping others through compassionate support. She currently serves on the Board of the Uncompahgre Medical Center and is a former board member of the Tom Boy House in Telluride, which provided shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence.

Jimmy Guire II

 Jimmy Guire II represents the heart and history of the West End, coming from five generations of Nucla families and four generations rooted in Moab. A lifelong resident and avid outdoorsman, Jimmy enjoys fishing and spending time in the rugged landscapes he’s proud to call home. His family legacy spans a wide range of industries—owning and operating hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, construction and mining operations, as well as working in oil and gas. As a generational rancher, Jimmy brings a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of rural communities. His commitment to service and connection drives his role as Board Member-at-Large for West End Family Link Center, where he works to strengthen families and support the long-term vitality of the region. 

Ellie Button

Ellie Button is a recent and enthusiastic addition to the West End Family Link board, bringing with her a heart for service and deep roots in the Paradox Valley community. Originally from the Bay Area of California, Ellie moved to Utah after high school to begin work at the X-ray tube company Varian. She is a proud mother of three adult children and relocated to Paradox in 2002 after meeting her husband, Wayne.

With a love for animals—especially horses, cows, dogs, and cats—Ellie has long embraced rural life. She worked at Paradox Valley School for nearly a decade, becoming a familiar and trusted presence for local families. Her decision to join the Family Link board in 2025 reflects her continued dedication to the well-being and growth of the community she calls home.

Ashley Tomlinson

Danielle Pond

A proud Colorado native, Danielle Pond brings a wealth of experience, heart, and dedication to her new role as Executive Director of West End Family Link. Danielle married her husband, Sean, in 2000 and together they moved to Nucla in 2019, where they quickly embraced the values and spirit of the local community.

Known for her strong leadership and genuine care for others, Danielle is committed to building on the organization’s mission of supporting families and strengthening community ties. Her background and passion make her a perfect fit to lead West End Family Link into its next chapter. We are excited to welcome Danielle and look forward to the positive impact she will bring to the West End.

Maggie Nelson

Maggie has lived in the West End of Montrose County for nearly her entire life and brings a deep understanding of the community she serves. With several years of experience as a bookkeeper, she joined the West End Family Link Center in January 2020.

Maggie’s extensive knowledge and expertise in financial management make her a vital part of the WEFLC team. Though she works part-time, she consistently goes above and beyond—always ready to lend a helping hand to other departments when needed.

Her dedication, reliability, and team-oriented spirit make her a true asset to the organization.

Kerri Cook 

 Kerri has been a proud resident of the West End of Montrose County for the past five years and joined the West End Family Link Center team in April 2023. She serves as a Food Pantry Manager, where she plays an important role in supporting WEFLC’s nutrition programs and ensuring community members have access to healthy, nourishing food.

Kerri is a Certified Food Handler and has completed Civil Rights training, equipping her with the skills and knowledge to serve all clients with respect and compassion.

Kerri’s journey is a powerful story of resilience. Despite facing significant challenges early in life, she has worked hard to turn things around and now serves as a true inspiration to others. Her strength, positive attitude, and commitment to helping others make her a valued member of the WEFLC team.

Barbara Edwards

 Barbara recently relocated to Nucla following the passing of her husband. She is a proud mother of five and grandmother to ten. Barbara has also spent almost 25 years on the Western Slope of Colorado, even attending Colorado Mesa University for Early Childhood Education.

With over a decade of experience supporting families through her work with a previous non-profit organization, Barbara brings compassion, dedication, and a deep understanding of family dynamics to her role. 

She joined the West End Family Link Center in January 2025 and is excited to continue her work serving families in the west end of Montrose County.