Board of Directors
Fred McKee, President, Delta
Fred was born in Gunnison, Colorado and makes his current home in Cedaredge. He attended school in Bayfield, Colorado. Fred is a US Army Veteran and has thoroughly enjoyed a 28-year law enforcement career. In his spare time, Fred likes to go camping, fishing, hunting, and take an occasional trip to a big city. He also is great at fix-it and repair projects. Fred’s hope is that he has provided better than adequate leadership for the Delta County Sheriff’s office.
Fred’s hopes and dreams for the Center for Mental Health are “to be recognized as the best at what we do.”
Dan Hotsenpiller, President-Elect, Montrose
Dan was born in Elgin, Illinois and is the youngest of five children. Both of Dan’s parents were public school teachers. Dan now lives in Montrose Colorado. Dan received both his Bachelor’s degree and his law degree from the University of Colorado. He has been an attorney for 20 years, working in both the public and private sector. Dan is currently the District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District. In his spare time, Dan likes to spend time with his family.
Dan’s hope and dreams for the Center for Mental Health: “I hope that we actually live up to our mission statement in every way. I dream that the Center leads the way to a world where behavioral health is recognized to be as important as physical health, and where behavioral health services are an integral part of our education system, our criminal justice system, and our health care system.”
John Nelson, Treasurer, Nucla
John was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and now lives in Nucla. He attended college at Mesa College and at Indiana University. John was a dentist for five years in the army and for 33 years in Nucla. He also worked summers with the Forest Service. In his spare time, John likes to work on his ham radio and tinker in his shop. He also serves as an EMT with the ambulance. John likes classical music, he is an avid bike rider, and he serves on six boards. He is also an active member of the Lions Club. John is good at using something for a second purpose.
John’s hopes and dreams for the Center for Mental Health are, “to change the stigma of mental health treatment and make it more positive and acceptable.”
Cathy Hartt, Secretary, Montrose
Although Cathy was born in Oakland, California, she is the 4th generation of her family to call the Western Slope home. She now lives in Montrose and Nucla, Colorado. Cathy did her undergraduate work at Mesa State College in Grand Junction. She received her Masters in Nursing from the University of Utah. She is currently working on her certification as a life coach through Mentor Coach in Maryland and has previously studied under positive psychology founder, Martin Seligman, PhD.
Cathy has worked as a nurse since 1983 and practiced as an advanced practice nurse since 1989. She has worked at agencies throughout the region, state, and in several neighboring states. Currently, she is the public health nurse-practitioner and manager of the Montrose County Health & Human Services West clinic in Nucla. She also teaches nursing for Colorado Community Colleges Online, Mesa State College, and Delta-Montrose Technical College. In her spare time, Cathy likes to garden, hike, play with her five cats, and drive the back roads of the Western Slope.
Cathy’s hopes and dreams for the Center for Mental Health are “for the Center to continue to be a leader in behavioral health for our region. I see a huge need to integrate mental and physical health services and I see The Center taking a lead. I look forward to working in close collaboration with the Center in my role as a public health nurse leader in the West End of Montrose County."
Michele Christensen, Past President, Montrose
Michele was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and currently lives in Montrose, Colorado. Michele attended school in Wyoming and in Mexico City. Michele has worked for 30 years as a counselor and administrator for a non-profit corporation that she and her brother started. In her spare time, Michele likes to paint oils, acrylics, and watercolors both on location and in the studio. She also enjoys gardening, camping and hiking. Michele is good at relating to teens, organization, public relations, and public speaking and speaks Spanish fluently.
Michele is devoted to the Center for Mental Health and the work that we do. She loves the staff and has great confidence in them. Her hopes and dreams for the Center is for, “longevity and financial success in order to maintain our programs and pay our staff well to facilitate reaching all who need and/or want our services. I would also like to see the Center be able to expand its services, especially into the prevention area.”
Tom Chinn, Board of Directors, Montrose
Tom has spent the last 38 years in law enforcement in Montrose, with the last five years as Chief of Police. Tom has an Associates Degree from Mesa State College, a Bachelors Degree from Columbia Southern University (Alabama) in Criminal Justice, and a Masters Degree from the University of Colorado in Criminal Justice. Tom is a graduate of the FBI Academy session 196.
Tom is married and has two adult sons.
Christine Sigwart, Board of Directors, Gunnison
Chris was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and she currently lives in Gunnison, Colorado. Chris got her BA and Masters degrees from Western State College in Gunnison and her Administrators degree from the University of Denver.Chris has worked as a phone company service rep, a special ed teacher at South High in Pueblo, Sheridan Middle School in Denver, and at Rifle Middle School. Chris was the Director of Special Services for the Gunnison schools when she started the Gunnison Valley School, an alternative high school, where she was the principal and the Director. In her spare time, Chris likes to read, play golf, swim, travel, spend time at the family cabin in Minnesota and spend time with her dog. She is very intuitive and can be very creative. Chris is good at working with kids, especially those with emotional problems. She is a good listener and a good friend. Her experience has given her understanding into how boards work, budgeting for non-profits, legal matters, and personnel issues.
Chris' hopes and dreams for the Center for Mental Health, “I hope we can continue to meet the needs of our clients with the great service they are getting now without worrying about financial cut backs. I think we have a great Board and fantastic staff.”
Susan Welk-Valdez, Board of Directors, Montrose
Susan is a native of Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1983, after living and working in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota for 19 years, she made the decision to shake up her life a bit and moved to Cancun, Mexico. There she taught English to adults, learned Spanish, met and married her husband, and gave birth to twins. The family has lived in both Mexico and the U.S. over the last 20 years and returned to Montrose in 2004. Susan works as a bilingual paralegal and is co-owner of the Spanish language newspaper La Voz del Pueblo.
One of Susan’s goals for the Center for Mental Health is that the Center continues to work toward expeditiously bringing new clients together with the therapy and services they need.
David Westfall, Board of Directors, Ouray
David is a Colorado native, born in Boulder, Colorado. He has lived in Ouray County for the past 33 years. He is currently the Ouray County Judge. David is very enthused about participating in the Center for Mental Health, and looks forward to the possibilities of further integrating the services offered by the Center, with the significant needs of many who come in contact with the courts.
Sky Walters, Board of Directors, Mountain Village
Sky was born in Chicago, Illinois; and he was an only child. He now lives in the Mountain Village and in Montrose, Colorado. Sky has been a restaurant owner, a journeyman machine operator, a manager at a large retail chain, and worked at Ford Motor Company on the assembly line. Sky came to Telluride in 1972 and bought the Silver Jack Mining Company Restaurant in Telluride. He and his partners ran the restaurant until 1977 when Sky was hired by San Miguel County Sheriff Fred Ellerd as a deputy. In 1980 Bill Masters became sheriff and Sky was appointed the Undersheriff - a position he still holds. In his spare time Sky likes to spend time on his motorcycle.
Sky’s hopes and dreams for the Center for Mental Health are “To be the best we can be. We have lost a lot of services throughout the state, and it is my hope that we can fill some of the void that was created.”
