Board Of Directors Archives - Higher Ground

Tom spent his professional career as Former Director, COO and General Counsel for Dodge & Cox; Chairman of Dodge & Cox Worldwide Investments Ltd (UK and Ireland); General Counsel, Executive Vice President and Compliance Officer, Franklin Templeton; and as a Licensed Educational Psychologist in the State of California. Now retired, Tom hasn’t skipped a beat and remains incredibly engaged with causes that are near and dear to him. Tom is currently a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, as well as a US Olympic & Paralympic Committee governance and management consultant. He volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children throughout the state of Idaho.

Tom’s son served as a USMC infantry officer with a tour in Afghanistan, which connects him even more so to the Higher Ground mission. As a former psychologist, he is particularly interested in the power of recreational therapy and mental health programs for veterans and first responders, as well as the diverse kids HG serves. He is a triathlete who believes in the therapeutic benefits of physical activity.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Erin grew up in Burlington, Vermont; she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Middlebury College and a master’s in social work from Boise State University. Erin began her social work career with St. Luke’s Wood River in 1999, with a special focus in community mental health. Through this work she contributed to the development and leadership of many nonprofit organizations addressing our community’s social drivers of health. Erin currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Health and Engagement for the St. Luke’s Health System.

Erin first connected with Higher Ground through her work supporting HG’s local recreation therapy programs. She was pivotal in helping HG build a better mental health support system for our veteran participants. Erin states that her work with HG has been a highlight personally and professionally, and that HG provides the ultimate vehicle for her passion in providing people with resources, skills, and the love they need to achieve their best health and wellbeing.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Spike graduated with a M.S. in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines. He spent 8 years with California Portland Cement, followed by 28 years as an executive in aerospace and defense work. Spike is passionate about our nation’s veteran community and how we as a society can better support our heroes following their selfless military service. Spike has seen firsthand how Higher Ground programs fill the gap, and provides services to ease our veterans’ transition home. He believes strongly in the power of therapeutic recreation to create positive, fulfilling change in our veterans’ lives. Spike is an avid lover of the outdoors, and embraces any chance to fish, hunt, hike, bike and host veterans in these pursuits.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Rick is a past Chairman and CEO of the USO of Illinois and past Chairman of Ride 2 Recovery, both of which are Veterans Support Organizations. Rick managed private equity investments and partnerships throughout his career, and most recently was a Partner/Founder with Graue Mill Partners, LLC. He has supported our nation’s military for 35 years and was drawn to the HG Board as the next opportunity to remain dedicated to this important space. Rick is passionate about supporting Higher Ground participants through our recreational therapy programs and is an enthusiastic volunteer with all of our programs.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Rick was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent his childhood skiing, hiking, and boating throughout the mountain west. Professionally, Rick owned and managed an international architecture and planning firm, MVE Architects, with offices in California and Hawaii.

Rick and his wife, Candace, live in Sun Valley enjoying the wonderful local community and skiing, hiking, and cycling. They started volunteering with the HG alpine ski team and the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind which solidified his enthusiasm for the Higher Ground mission and its ambition to provide great programs for a deserving and varied group of participants.  Rick is passionate about promoting awareness of Higher Ground’s mission and volunteers his time regularly with our Veteran Camps and the local Alpine Green Ski Team.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Mike is the President and Principal of Lee Gilman Builders, Inc., a custom home building company based in Ketchum, ID. Mike’s HG experience started many years ago when he and many of his colleagues volunteered for one of Higher Ground’s Veteran Ski Camps. Mike is passionate about bringing therapeutic recreational opportunities to children and adults, particularly the ski programs.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Dave grew up on the East Coast and made his way to Sun Valley after graduating from Middlebury College. He is the Founder/Owner of Hennessy Company, a real estate development and construction company based in Hailey, ID, since 1996. Higher Ground is a family affair for Dave; his youngest daughter was a HG camp counselor for several summers, which originally opened Dave’s eyes to the impact of the programs for our vulnerable populations ok kids, teens, and veterans. He seeks out any opportunity to support the HG mission, from working with staff, to volunteering for veteran ski programs, and everything in between. His personal love of sport and the outdoors carries through in his passion for Higher Ground.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

After attending Syracuse University, Michael served in the U.S. Navy, with one year in theatre during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Michael received his MBA from the University of Virginia and worked as a commercial and investment banker until founding Greystone Communities, Inc. in 1982. Until his retirement as Chairman in 2022, Michael was responsible for assuring Greystone’s resources were aligned with clients’ needs and positioning the company to succeed and grow in an ever-changing senior living environment. Michael is naturally drawn to the Higher Ground mission as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, and specifically the treatment he received after his time in Vietnam. He believes strongly in the need for our country to support its veterans, and values how Higher Ground addresses the physical, mental and psychological wellbeing of the military community through therapeutic recreation programs.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

Jim is an attorney based in Ketchum, Idaho; he has been a partner at Lawson Laski Clark PLLC since 2001. He has always felt a strong obligation to give back to his home community and is actively involved in several local nonprofit organizations, including Ballet Sun Valley and Hailey Ice. Jim is passionate about Higher Ground’s mission and serving our nation’s veteran community as well as our local children with disabilities. Jim served as Higher Ground Board chair from 2012-2019.

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Higher Ground

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February 6, 2025

As a writer and actor originally from Chicago, Hayes began his career performing theater and comedy and has gone on to have a long and diversified career in film and television. Over the years, Hayes has worked closely with many charitable organizations, including Feeding America, Communities in Schools, and The Art of Elysium, a powerful organization that provides creative therapy for children facing end of life issues. He moved to Sun Valley in 2020 with his wife, Ali, and their two children Theodore and Vivienne.

He was initially drawn to Higher Ground because the organization provided an incredible experience for close family friends whose children experienced health difficulties, and his personal stance on supporting returning veterans. From family members to friends, he believes it’s our responsibility to care for those who served long after their time in the military is over.

He loves how Higher Ground helps participants confront struggles and transform them into skills to bring back into their daily life. He’s experienced the insight and energy that one can get from biking, skiing, rafting, and hiking and enjoys helping others overcome any obstacles to feel the same. The recreational therapy that Higher Ground provides stays with participants long after their visit is over.

For the past two years he has greatly enjoyed his time on Dollar Mountain with the Alpine Green Team. He’s excited to continue his volunteer work and explore new ways and opportunities for Higher Ground to grow and reach even more people.

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 6, 2025