TCSAR Foundation Welcomes Two New Board Members

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation, the nonprofit whose mission is to empower TCSAR volunteers through direct support, community education and advocacy, welcomed two new board members on July 1.

The Foundation also bids a fond farewell to Leslie Mattson, who served on the board for three consecutive three-year terms.

“Leslie brought immense nonprofit experience and knowledge to the Foundation at a time when the organization saw rapid growth, both in terms of fundraising and ever-increasing rescue demands on the volunteer team,” said TCSAR Foundation Board President Hugh O’Halloran. “The entire TCSAR family extends our sincere gratitude to Leslie for her nine years of service.”

Joining TCSAR Foundation's 15-member Board of Directors are Kevin Olson and Maggie Schilling.

Kevin Olson is the majority owner, CEO and president of Jackson, Wyo.-based Teton Media Works Inc. (TMW). TMW’s media assets consist of local newspapers (Jackson Hole News&Guide, Jackson Hole Daily), magazines (Jackson Hole, Teton Family, Grand Wedding, Best of Jackson Hole), affiliated websites and digital news stream, Buckrail.com.

Kevin, his wife, Shelley, and family moved from Orange County, Calif., in 2001 to become the Associate Publisher of the Jackson Hole News. Prior to this, he held a variety of leadership positions at the Orange County Register newspaper in Santa Ana, Calif., including national advertising sales, regional sales management, marketing, product development and special publishing projects.

In 2012, Kevin founded TMW to acquire the portfolio of local publications and advertising services benefiting local residents, businesses and visitors in the greater Jackson Hole area. Kevin graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications at Arizona State University. ASU was not far from his hometown of Scottsdale, Az.

A motivating factor in Kevin’s move to Jackson Hole was his long-time leaning toward skiing, mountains, lakes, cycling, golf, and a quality of life allowing time for family activities and community service. Kevin is an active Rotarian with two stints on its board and now president of its Foundation, past board chairman for Jackson Hole Young Life, past chairman of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and recent past President of the Wyoming Press Association’s board of directors.

Maggie Schilling brings a diversity of skills to the TCSAR Foundation board, having worked in the nonprofit, local government, and private sectors during her 25 years in the valley. Her current work with Navigate, LLC centers on working with local communities and employers to help address housing challenges.

Previous roles at the Teton County Library Foundation, Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, and Teton Science Schools focused on fundraising and nonprofit operations and management. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family in all seasons, whether it is hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, or skiing. After her husband was short-hauled by TCSAR off of Snow King following a mountain bike accident, she began volunteering for the TCSAR Foundation and is thrilled to now join the board. 

TCSAR Foundation Announces Keegan Young as New Executive Director

JACKSON, Wyo. — The Board of Directors of the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation (TCSARF) announced today that Keegan Young will serve as the next leader of the organization. Young will assume his role as Executive Director on November 1, 2023.

Young brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and complex public-private organizations to the role. Young started his career in nonprofit leadership as an accomplished fundraiser with the Tulsa Area United Way and the Tulsa Zoo. He served as Executive Director of Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. from 2005 to 2011, gaining valuable experience in public-private partnerships, before joining the American Alpine Club, where he was responsible for Development and External Relations. Most recently, Young served as Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Mountain Club, successfully stepping in to lead the organization through a challenging period. He has earned a reputation as a leader that works effectively across a broad and diverse range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes and build key community relationships.

“Keegan Young brings the right experience at the perfect time for the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation,” said Hugh O’Halloran, Foundation Board Chair. “His background, strategic approach, and collaborative nature made him a natural choice as our Foundation continues to grow in sophistication and focus on our mission and the vital direct support we provide our Search and Rescue volunteers and our community through education and outreach. We are thrilled to welcome him to TCSARF and to Teton County.”

The Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation supports the essential work of Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) through direct volunteer support, community education, and advocacy. In its 30th year, TCSAR and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office have worked in partnership to provide vital emergency search and rescue services in the backcountry of northwest Wyoming. TCSARF was launched in 2010 to help support the construction of a TCSAR facility and to raise funds in support of TCSAR volunteers. Most recently, TCSARF successfully completed the purchase of the county’s first wholly owned rescue helicopter through the Mission Critical campaign, which directly raised $7.25 million in less than one year.

“I am very excited to join the Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation and continue its legacy as a best-in-class nonprofit supporter of a critical service in the community,” Young said. “Working alongside the Foundation staff, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Search and Rescue volunteers, I am deeply committed to the organization’s mission as a volunteer first responder, an avid backcountry user, and climber myself. I pledge to support and serve the organization, the staff, our partners, and the community with energy, perseverance, and creativity.” 

Young holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University. He serves as a volunteer firefighter in his current community, Golden, Colorado. Young will be relocating to Teton County with his wife, Brooke, in the coming weeks.

Young will succeed Stephanie Thomas, the organization’s founding Executive Director, who retired from the Foundation in May 2023 after leading the Foundation as it grew and developed over the past 13 years, most recently successfully completing the Mission Critical fundraising campaign. The TCSARF Board also wishes to thank Liz King for her leadership as Interim Executive Director over the past several months and for all of her contributions to the Foundation.

The Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation partnered with Koya Partners, an executive recruiting firm that specializes in leading mission-driven searches in a several month-long, nationwide search for the organization’s next leader.