Max Gibson | ScSEED

Max Gibson, ScSEED Board Chair

Many people find their way to Saguache County through long-standing personal ties. For Max Gibson, those ties began early.

“My family has land in Tracy Canyon, and I grew up camping in Saguache County,” Gibson shared. In 2020, his dad was retiring in Saguache, and he was living and working overseas, supporting humanitarian efforts in Iraq and Africa. His work included interviewing tribal leaders and refugees, mapping conditions using GIS technology, and sharing information with the United Nations and other organizations to help respond to war, famine, and natural disasters. “When COVID hit, Saguache felt like the right place to wait out the pandemic,” he said. That temporary return eventually turned into something permanent.

Gibson’s path to the board of ScSEED came through community relationships. He credits longtime local leader May Enquist with encouraging him to get involved. “She had owned my house in the past, and we became friends. She encouraged me to join the ScSEED board,” he said.

At the time, public outreach for the Town of Saguache’s Highway Streetscaping project was already underway. “I joined to help move that project forward,” Gibson explained. “It was a great way to plug into the community.” He also serves with local search and rescue, further deepening his ties to the area.

Today, as Board Chair, Gibson sees ScSEED’s role as both practical and values-driven. “ScSEED has long worked toward serving as the economic development entity for Saguache County,” he said. “But it’s important that this work is done with care and thoughtfulness toward the people, the land, and the history of this place.”

For Gibson, economic development means supporting local entrepreneurs and home-grown businesses while also helping larger organizations address complex rural challenges. These include housing, energy development, and transportation. “ScSEED also plays an important role in advocating for residents and making sure local voices are heard,” he said.

Looking back on his time with ScSEED, Gibson focuses less on obstacles and more on progress. He points to behind-the-scenes work that has strengthened the organization: clarifying bylaws, creating clear guidelines for fiscally sponsored affiliate groups, and bringing financial systems up to date. “We now have excellent bookkeeping and strong operational foundations,” he said.

A major milestone came in 2023, when ScSEED hired Ameille Warner, first as Development Director and now as Executive Director. “That helped bring consistency and momentum,” Gibson said. “We are now in a position to take on larger projects and partnerships across Saguache County and the San Luis Valley.”

One of Gibson’s priorities as Chair has been financial stability. He shared that ScSEED is currently working toward an official partnership with Saguache County to support shared priorities. “A stable funding stream allows us to be more effective and more responsive to community needs,” he said.

Looking ahead, Gibson sees ScSEED focused on managing change in a thoughtful way. “Change is inevitable,” he said. “Our job is to advocate for residents, protect our fragile environment, and honor our heritage so that any growth reflects our shared values.” He also emphasized supporting a circular economy that keeps money local rather than extracted by large outside corporations.