Palmer Welcomes New Trustees

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Community Leaders Appointed to Board of Trustees

This week, Palmer welcomes four new trustees to our board— prominent in the fields of ranching, business, nonprofit leadership, and international business strategy. 

Joining us from Colorado Springs is consultant Dawnellen Dotson, Jim Johnson of Johnson Moving and Storage and Elk Glade Outfitters, and Mike Jorgensen of Red Noland Auto Group. Andrea Aragon, head of the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation, joins us from Pueblo. 

Each brings a wealth of expertise and community leadership to the organization as it continues to promote the conservation and enjoyment of our region’s most important natural assets.


Andrea Aragon

pueblo county

Andrea is the Executive Director of the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation. Born in Rocky Ford, she has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector through various leadership roles in Pueblo. Prior to joining the Foundation, Andrea was the President and CEO at United Way of Pueblo County for 17 years. She also served as the Executive Director of Latino Chamber of Commerce, and as Assistant Director of Development and Director of Alumni Relations at Colorado State University-Pueblo. She has received numerous awards for her community service and has served on several state-wide and local boards and is currently a charter trustee of the El Pomar Foundation. Andrea and her husband Darrin Smith live in Pueblo and have two sons.

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Dawnellen Dotson

El Paso county

As a Colorado native, Dawnellen has over two decades of international strategy consulting experience. She has worked with various organizations, including multiple Fortune 50 companies, the United Nations, governments, and NGOs. She also has a strong academic background, having taught strategy dynamics at The Wharton School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Babson College. 

Dawnellen has a deep appreciation for Colorado's water, land, and history and grew up in a family that believed in conservation. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the mountains and prairies of southern Colorado, gardening, and raising her daughter.

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Jim Johnson

El Paso County

The Johnson family has a long history with the land with homesteading roots dating back to 1929 in Teller County. They continue to own and operate a historic ranch on the south side of Pikes Peak, where they graze cattle, hunt, and provide cattle drive experiences to guests through Jim’s outfitting company, Elk Glade Outfitters.  

A Colorado College graduate, Jim worked for his family’s company Johnson Moving and Storage until he retired and then shifted his focus on making the family ranch more self-sustaining. He lives in southwest Colorado Springs and has served on many boards, including Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, Mile High Council of Girl Scouts, and Porter Hospital. Jim is currently a member of the Pikes Peak Range Riders and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. His brother serves as the chair of the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust.

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Mike Jorgensen

El Paso County

A Colorado Springs native, Mike Jorgensen is President and Partner of the Red Noland Auto Group. A graduate of Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University. Prior to joining the Red Noland Auto Group in 1992, he worked in public accounting as a CPA in Colorado Springs.

Mike is very engaged in the community and currently serves as president of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation board. He has also served as board chair for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and EDC, Military Affairs Council of the Chamber EDC, and the Colorado Springs Conservatory. He has also served on the boards of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Pikes Peak United Way, and Goodwill Industries.

In 2014, the Pikes Peak Range Riders awarded Mike the Silver Spur award for service and contributions to the community. He was also recognized as a Good Neighbor by Ft. Carson in 2018. Mike and his wife Maureen have two sons and four grandchildren.

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