Our Team
This initiative is only made possible with a diverse and dedicated team. Our executive board and outdoor recreation council represent broad interests across the outdoor recreation industry.
Executive Board
Executive Director
Ethan has been working in the OREC industry since 1999 and is currently a faculty member at Colorado State University where he teaches classes in outdoor recreation leadership. Ethan holds a B.S. in Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism and a M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. Ethan's many professional roles have included guiding in whitewater, horse-packing, backpacking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and more. Ethan has also volunteered on the City of Fort Collins Natural Resource Advisory Board and the Overland Mountain Bike Association Board. Ethan believes strongly that the outdoors are paramount in supporting our physical and mental well being.
Ethan Billingsley
Board Member
Lily Durkee is an insect ecologist and advocate for inclusive outdoor recreation. In 2020, she founded Diversify Whitewater, a nonprofit that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in paddlesports by removing barriers to entry for underrepresented communities. Since 2022, Lily has also served on the Board of Directors for American Whitewater, further championing river stewardship and access. A lifelong paddler with a PhD in Ecology from Colorado State University, she views making the outdoors accessible and welcoming to all as a critical step in the conservation and preservation of our natural lands.
Lily Durkee Ph.D
Board Member
Kyle has been a river advocate for over 20 years and the sport of whitewater kayaking has taken him to many countries and some of the most remote parts of the world. He soon discovered his passion for teaching and currently serves as RMA’s head kayak instructor overseeing all kayak curriculum and instructor training. He is also a serial entrepreneur, and has been at the helm of multiple businesses and a succesful business consultant since receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005. He finds his role at RMA professionally rewarding as it combines his love of the river and running a small business. He is also active on multiple river conservation projects including The Poudre River Fund and the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group. Kyle currently serves as the C.E.O and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Adventures and MAD Adventures.
Kyle Johnson
Board Member
Taylor Young has built a career around connecting people, communities, and landscapes through outdoor recreation. His work spans trail construction, regional planning, strategic planning, and community engagement, with a focus on developing sustainable recreation infrastructure and fostering collaboration across land managers, nonprofits, and local stakeholders. While working in Northwest Arkansas, Taylor contributed to community-centered planning and contributed to the development of trail systems that supported both quality of life and regional economic growth. These experiences, combined with hands-on construction and project leadership, have shaped his approach to building durable, accessible outdoor spaces that reflect the need for diverse user groups.
In Colorado, Taylor has continued this work through Overland Mountain Bike Association and in his current role with Fort Collins Natural Areas, where he supports built infrastructure, volunteer engagement, and long-term stewardship for public lands. As a board member of NOCORA, he brings strategic system-level perspectives grounded in field experience, with a commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding access, and ensuring outdoor recreation opportunities are sustainable, inclusive, and reflective of the communities they serve.
Taylor Young
Outdoor Recreation Council
We are currently building out our OREC council of diverse stakeholders who will be at the heart of our work.
