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

Annie Johnson

Jimmy Guire

Ashley Tomlinson

Ellie Buttons

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.