Meet the Board & Staff
The ScSEED Board consists of Saguache County residents with a varied and distinguished background in their fields. ScSEED seeks to achieve a diversity in its board to include residents of all walks of life from across the county who have demonstrated a keen interest in sharing their talents and time to promote healthy economic growth and environmental stewardship for Saguache County.
Max Gibson
Board Chair
Max grew up camping in Saguache County, and has lived in the Town of Saguache since 2020. He is the Director of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition, a certified EMT, and has previously worked on healthy community design and food system planning in the Front Range, and humanitarian response in East Africa and the Middle East. Max is an avid outdoorsman who has lead wilderness trips across the Rockies, and can be found hiking, skiing, climbing and mountain biking in the San Juans.
Whitney Smalley-Freed, PhD
Treasurer
Whitney, ScSEED’s Treasurer, brings extensive experience in financial management, science, data analysis, and organizational leadership. She ensures responsible stewardship of ScSEED's resources and is dedicated to transparency and integrity in all financial operations. Whitney’s commitment to sustainable community development makes her an invaluable asset as ScSEED advances its mission in the San Luis Valley.
Ameille Warner
Development Director
Ameille is a long-time Saguache County resident with a strong background in operations, marketing, and business development. As the Development Director for ScSEED, Ameille oversees the day-to-day execution and management of the organization's strategic plan, projects, and partnerships. With a deep commitment to fostering sustainable community development in the San Luis Valley, Ame leads efforts to build strong collaborations and secure resources that ensure ScSEED's continued growth and success. For more information or to connect with ScSEED, feel free to reach out to Ame at 719-207-2597.
Barry VanSant
Board Member at Large
Barry has championed community and economic development in Saguache County since 2006. He helped re-establish the Saguache Chamber of Commerce and led the West SLV Transit Committee. Barry is currently focused on the Highway 285 Streetscaping Project, aiming to improve safety, economy, and aesthetics for Saguache. His dedication to transit and infrastructure enriches the community.
Laura Abeyta
Vice Chair
Laura brings strong community ties and leadership passion to ScSEED. A Saguache native, she is deeply involved in local initiatives including the Mountain Valley District Accountability Committee, HEART of Saguache/KV, Saguache County Cares, and the Historic Preservation Commission. She also volunteers with 9-Health Fair and coaches Peewee basketball.
Laura holds a double Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, with an MBA and a Master of Healthcare Administration, along with a minor in Sustainability Management. Her work is driven by a desire to mentor future leaders and positively impact lives, with a focus on fostering a new generation of changemakers dedicated to creating a better world.
Ann Cunningham
Board Member at Large
A Saguache resident since 2020, Ann has a rich agricultural background and degrees in Agricultural Business. She’s passionate about rural support and visibility, contributing skills in business administration, bookkeeping, and project management to ScSEED’s mission of enhancing rural communities across Saguache County.