TCSAR Foundation Initiates Search for New Executive Director

The Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation (TCSARF) has begun the process of hiring its next Executive Director.

The Foundation is a nonprofit that supports Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) volunteers through direct support, community education, and advocacy. Together, TCSAR and the Foundation create a public/private partnership that works to keep Teton County residents and visitors safe in the backcountry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

This is an opportunity to build on a period of tremendous growth and accomplishment—including the recent completion of the $7.25 million capital campaign to secure a year-round SAR-dedicated helicopter—and lead the Foundation into its next chapter.  

TCSARF has retained Koya Partners, the executive search firm that works exclusively with mission-driven clients, to lead this search. In partnership with Koya, we are now identifying and recruiting exceptional candidates. 

 The Position Profile can be found here. To suggest leaders as potential candidates, you can contact the Koya team directly at tcsarfoundation_ed@koyapartners.com. We would also appreciate it if you would thoughtfully forward this along in your networks. 

Thank you in advance for your help with this important leadership role. 

TCSAR Foundation completes Mission Critical, Invites Public to Celebration on May 24

Jackson, Wyo. — Two months after the launch of its public campaign, Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is excited to announce that it has completed Mission Critical, successfully raising the necessary funds to bring a year-round rescue helicopter to Teton County, Wyo.

“With over 1,200 donations to the campaign, our community has stepped up to show the importance of bringing this critical asset to Teton County,” said TCSAR Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Thomas. “We are humbled and in awe by the efforts of everyone who made this happen.”

TCSAR Foundation opened its public campaign on March 18 knowing they needed to raise over $1.25 million—out of a total goal of $7.25 million—to finish out Mission Critical. The community stepped up to the challenge and accomplished the goal, ensuring the arrival of a year-round rescue helicopter to Teton County by this fall. 

To celebrate the end of Mission Critical and as a gesture of their sincere gratitude, TCSAR Foundation and TCSAR volunteers invite the entire community to a special helicopter demo at Phil Baux Park at the base of Snow King from 4:30-7 p.m. on May 24. At 5:15 p.m. sharp, TCSAR volunteers will conduct a short-haul operation, a method of rescue in which first responders use the helicopter to lift a patient harnessed to the end of a rope attached to the belly of the ship for a flight out of the backcountry. The Snow King demo will give viewers a rare chance to see the operation in action in the front-country. 

The event includes pizza from Pinky G’s, popcorn from JH Pop, tacos from La Fiera, beer from Roadhouse Brewing, beverages from local suppliers, and ice cream from St. John’s Episcopal Church. Food and beverages will be FREE while supplies last. This is an all-ages event and everyone is invited.

Bike Safety, Brews, and support for TCSAR set for Snake River Brewery on May 18

With trail season coming into swing, TCSAR is excited to highlight the importance of backcountry bike safety at the Snake River Brewery on Thursday, May 18. The community is encouraged to ride a bike to the Brew Pub where local bike shops will be giving out free safety checks, advice on how to outfit your bike for the summer, and where Friends of Pathways will have bike course set up for test rides. (Please, wear your helmet and obey all traffic laws!)

Recent trends show mountain biking accidents on the rise in the Jackson Hole area. Last summer, TCSAR volunteers responded to 13 bike accidents—the most ever in a single season. Not only were bike accidents more frequent, the severity of the injuries were also a cause for concern.

Deemed “Mission Critical Mass,” the May 18 event is also a great opportunity to publicly support TCSAR’s campaign to bring a year-round rescue helicopter to Teton County. The Brew Pub has generously offered to donate $1 for every beer to TCSAR. Plus, the event includes a special raffle supporting the helicopter campaign featuring some incredible prizes, including:

Raffle tickets cost $50 and are in limited supply. As of May 17, there were only 20 tickets left! Winners will be announced during Mission Critical Mass, but you don’t have to present to win.

A heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors of Mission Critical Mass!