The Grand Canyon Association has staff at Grand Canyon National Park and in Flagstaff, Arizona. As we’re a diverse bunch with widely varying duties, we’d like to let you know a little about ourselves and give you our contact information. Thanks for your interest in supporting Grand Canyon National Park.
Staff (excepting Executive Director, Susan Schroeder) are listed in alphabetical order.
GCA’s Chief Executive Officer, joined Grand Canyon Association in July 2008. She formerly held various positions at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, including the Interim President of the Northern Arizona University Foundation, Associate Vice President for University Advancement and Director of Development for Environmental and Native American Initiatives. Prior to her 18 years at NAU, Susan was a partner in a market research consulting firm, specializing in the tourism and recreation industry with clients in public land agencies and corporations. Susan is on the Board of the Flagstaff Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation. She enjoys living in Northern Arizona, an incredibly rich natural and cultural environment. “It is a privilege to work with the GCA board, staff, our members, park employees, partners, and the broader community to support this international treasure, Grand Canyon National Park!”
has been the Director of the Grand Canyon Field Institute, GCA’s longstanding field seminar program, since 1997. In addition to overseeing all aspects of GCFI, he has been a mentor/consultant on program development and risk management for a number of sister institutes, a facilitator for National Park Service training events, an active board member for experiential youth groups in the region, and a regular field instructor and public speaker. Mike is also actively involved in GCA’s fundraising initiatives in his capacity as a Major Gifts Advisor, is a frequent host to park VIPs, and a subject matter expert for wide-ranging media projects. In his spare time he is a professional landscape photographer and frequent backpacker and river runner throughout his beloved Southwest.
GCA’s Information Systems Manager, has worked for the association since 1989. He left a management position at United Parcel Service to move to the canyon with his wife Pam when she became GCA’s Publications Manager. He has also managed the GCA warehouse, was the founding Director of the Grand Canyon Field Institute, and has led the GCA membership program. He began overseeing the association’s computer and network operations in 1997.
Chief Financial Officer, was hired in June 2010. Ted is a CPA and comes to Grand Canyon Association with more than 17 years of nonprofit experience with six different organizations as a board member, officer, consultant and contract CFO. An experienced financial executive, he has broad-based technical, industry and management skills in both publicly and privately held companies. His experience includes financial services, biotechnology, retail, wholesale distribution, manufacturing (high-tech and industrial), computer software, microbreweries, wineries, textiles, construction equipment and advertising/public relations. Ted is excited to explore Grand Canyon National Park and support GCA’s mission in his CFO capacity.
Membership Program Manager, has worked in the cultural heritage field since the late 1990s. Holding a BA and MA in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University, she worked as an archaeologist in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado before becoming a museum professional and non-profit manager. “For me, being a part of the Grand Canyon Association is about translating the joy I find in sharing the past with others into helping people connect with and protect the natural and cultural resources of the Grand Canyon. I can think of few things more rewarding than working to create a community of stewards for Grand Canyon National Park.”
Director of Retail, began her career in graphic design, interactive media and e-commerce, and after a time developing and launching a business-to-business online catalog, she joined the Milwaukee Art Museum as Product and Retail Development Manager and Senior Buyer. A thirst for cultural history led to her to accept a position as Manager of Stores, Buying and Visual Merchandising at the Milwaukee Public Museum, before coming to the Grand Canyon Association as Retail Manager in 2009. She came to GCA because she is an avid lover of nature, camping and hiking, and because the canyon evokes for her national pride.
GCA’s Executive Assistant, moved from Illinois to the Grand Canyon in 1995 to enjoy a summer out west. She immediately fell in love with Arizona and decided to make the move a permanent one. After working in administrative positions for Xanterra for 14 years, Laura transitioned to GCA hoping for a new challenge working in the rewarding setting of a nonprofit organization. Laura is active in the Grand Canyon community volunteering with many of the youth organizations in the park. “It is exciting to work for an organization that gives so much back to the wonder I have decided to call my home.”
Chris comes from Connecticut where he graduated from a technical trade school and spent 15 years in the home improvement industry. Looking for a meaningful change, both personally and professionally, he set his sights on Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon Association hired him as the association’s Facilities Manager in 2006. Chris oversees and maintains all GCA properties from housing units to retail stores, including historic buildings such as Kolb Studio, the Community Building, and Verkamp’s. “Helping preserve, maintain and restore historical buildings and other structures, and knowing that my contributions help enrich visitors’ and residents’ experiences at Grand Canyon, is truly rewarding.”
Director of Development, brings over 15 years of nonprofit experience to the Grand Canyon Association. Her interest in education, science and the environment led Bonnie from Crested Butte, Colorado, to Flagstaff to serve as Director of Development for Northern Arizona University’s College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences. The Grand Canyon Association has provided her a wonderful opportunity to match these interests with her love for outdoor recreation and the values of the National Park Service. She finds great joy in helping people who aspire to become advocates and stewards of Grand Canyon National Park.
Philanthropy Coordinator, has worked in an around National Parks from Mt. Rainier, to Yellowstone, to Theodore Roosevelt National Park for over 20 years and is excited to be working for Grand Canyon Association! With a background in natural resources science and management, Tom has been involved with philanthropy at a number of nonprofits and is thrilled to be working with people who are excited about the canyon! Telephone: (928) 863-3875
Phil Payne began his career in academic fundraising after graduating from Penn State University. In 2005, he and his wife, Suzanne, decided to embrace their dream of traveling by becoming full-time RV-ers. Before arriving at Grand Canyon in 2010, they traveled the United States from the Keys in Florida to Skagway, Alaska, and worked at several National Parks. Phil began his work for Grand Canyon Association working as a Sales Associate before becoming store manager at Kolb Studio. In autumn 2012 Phil took over the role of the Retail Operations Manager for Grand Canyon Association. “I love seeing visitors who come to the Grand Canyon and are awe struck by its majesty. And with GCA I know I am helping preserve and protect this wonder of the world for generations to come.”
Program Manager, GCFI, hails from the United Kingdom where he studied geology, acquiring a master of science, which brought him to the Grand Canyon to work as a Park Ranger in 1994. He has been working for the Grand Canyon Field Institute wing of GCA since 1997 and as the Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program. Additionally. Jack is the Web Program Manager for GCA. “Each day I help people preparing to come to the canyon to join our programs. To be able to excite them and help them become advocates for such a magical place is truly wonderful.”
Associate Director of Philanthropy, oversaw the association’s public relations and outreach efforts, including the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, for more than six years. Linking people with the Grand Canyon has been a passion for Helen for many years, and she looks forward to connecting people to the canyon philanthropically. An avid Grand Canyon hiker, Helen is based in the GCA Flagstaff office.
Director of Communications and Publishing, has almost 20 years of communications and marketing experience. Miriam most recently worked as the Director of Marketing for Southwest Wind power in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she built product brands for residential and small industrial scale wind turbines. Previously, Miriam worked in retail marketing at Levi Strauss & Company in San Francisco where she worked closely with key accounts developing brand strategies and retail presence. Miriam holds a BA in Creative Writing/Marketing from Bradford College in Bradford, MA. She enjoys living in Flagstaff and has spent many days hiking in Grand Canyon and enjoying the Colorado River. She has an enthusiasm and love for the history and culture of the area.
Publishing Manager, has a professional background in the graphic arts industry that spans more than twenty-five years. With her purchase of Northland Printing in 1987, she developed the first full-service, commercial printing company in Flagstaff. Her business evolved to serve clients as a service bureau, color house, and design firm specializing in printing, graphic design and book packaging. Lulu's work experience at Grand Canyon National Park began in 1978, and included appointments as an NPS ranger in the backcountry (1978) and on the Colorado River (1984). She served as Grand Canyon Natural History Association’s Assistant Business Manager (1978) and Business Manager (1979–1983). Lulu has also partnered with the Grand Canyon Music Festival as a management consultant and board member. Lulu looks forward to continuing her love affair with the Grand Canyon by serving as the Association's Publishing Manager.
