Dave Johnson is a Conservationist and retired Pachyderm Zookeeper in Denver, Colorado.  He has a degree in Wildlife Biology and in 2014 co-founded the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to help endangered animal species throughout the world through education and community engagement.

Dave’s passion for animals is a perfect fit for like-minded individuals and organizations.  Throughout his long 25-year animal career, he has managed to unite people and create something unique and very special in the world of conservation, all of which culminated in the formation of the KACF.

He has authored three conservation picture books that are used throughout the USA and world to introduce and educate kids of all ages about endangered species.  His hallmark book, Zoodiac Kids, replaces the zodiac signs with ZOOdiac signs – one endangered animal representing each month of the year.  His next book is currently underway and scheduled for release by the end of 2023 in four languages – English, Spanish, Nepali and Swahili.

As of 2023, he has traveled twelve times to Nepal with zookeepers and members of the community from throughout the USA to spread education and passion.  Tanzania, South Africa and  Costa Rica are receiving the same treatment.

While growth and new directions are inevitable, Dave’s involvement on the KACF Board of Directors helps to ensure that the fund remains aligned to his original vision.

 

John Conklin is an experienced attorney based in Denver, Colorado, who has been defending medical doctors sued for malpractice for 29 years. In 2010, his oldest son developed a strong interest in elephants and the Conklin family started volunteering at the zoo in Denver, which was in the process of creating a new Asian elephant exhibit. Through their involvement at the zoo, they developed a close relationship with Dave Johnson, co-founder of the KACF, and became increasingly engaged in conservation efforts.

Their initial involvement with the KACF was through attending and donating to the annual Katie's Night event, which eventually led to their participation in various projects and elephant fence repair in Nepal in 2015. Despite obstacles such as John's trial schedule and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Conklin family has remained committed to the KACF, donating, attending local events, and participating in fundraising efforts such as the Zulu Nyala safari package, which they purchased two of and plan to use soon.

John is proud to be a supporter of the KACF and is eager to deepen his involvement by joining its Board of Directors.

Justin Raynor is a passionate and multi-faceted conservation and technology advocate who served as a faculty member for three years in the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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In addition to his work in academia, he served two terms as a Cultural and Scientific Commissioner and Committee Chair of Art in Public Places for the Town of Parker, Colorado and five years as a volunteer working with African elephants and black rhinoceros at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

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He is an active duty Major and Computer Engineer with over ten years of service in the United States Air Force and previous assignments at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Electronic Systems Center in Boston, Massachusetts and the National Reconnaissance Office in Aurora, Colorado.  He earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

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Justin traveled with the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund to Nepal in 2016 and visited Bardia and Chitwan National Parks to support current KACF projects and explore potential new conservation partnerships in the area.

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He is currently back in Boston where he received full funding to pursue a PhD in Computer Science and Cyber Security. As part of the Visualization Research Group at Northeastern University, Justin is researching cutting edge task abstraction, and data visualization methodologies and ways in which he can blend his passion and love of worldwide conservation efforts with his background in research, operations, engineering and academia.

I am a Commercial Title Officer at Stewart Title by day, but at night I turn into Wonder Woman, keeper of the faith, champion of truth and all around good gal.

Reality is I’m a Mom of a very dedicated animal-loving daughter, Tara.  She has spent her life doing her very best for the animals she cares for.  Whether she was working at a South Carolina zoo or Evergreen veterinary practice.

She introduced me to Zookeeper, Dave Johnson, eons ago – when Tara and Katie Adamson were Scout Explorers together at the zoo in Denver.  Through Dave and the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, I’ve discovered the unquestionable importance of conservation and more importantly how the average person can help and be involved.  I’ve experienced eco-tourism in Nepal, the thrill of riding elephants and the joy of seeing a baby rhino, all vicariously through my daughter, Tara.  One day I hope to experience all of this first-hand.

I plan to use the best qualities I’ve acquired as a professional in the business community and commercial real estate world, including every Mom skill, to contribute to the protection of Earth’s endangered species.

Wesley Stagg is an IT professional and volunteer firefighter with a passion for nature and conservation. He currently resides in Denver CO with his wife and spends most of his free time enjoying everything Colorado has to offer.

Wesley attended college at the University of Memphis and studied graphic design before finding a passion for Information Technology. He has been in the IT field for over 25 years and has worked for several large companies including Citrix and Dell specializing in virtualization, security and cloud first technologies.

He has been involved with KACF for several years and has traveled with groups to Nepal and Costa Rica. These trips solidified his passion for conservation and education and led to his drive to be more involved with the organization. In his last trip to Costa Rica, he was married to his wife Heather by a very special officiant named Dave Johnson, Co-founder and Executive Director of the KACF!

Wesley brings a love of nature, conservation and education to the KACF board. His goal is to use his unique talents and skills to further the mission of KACF and be an advocate for conservation around the world.