Big Sky Community Organization

After graduating from Davidson College in 1988, Whitney became the Headmaster of Ideleri Secondary School in western Kenya where he lived for nearly two years.  This experience launched a career of collaborative entrepreneurial leadership that brought him to Big Sky in March, 2021.

Soon after returning from Kenya, Whitney had a three-year stint as a grant writer before founding Just Fresh A Bakery Café, the southeast’s first quick-serve healthy food and beverage concept.  For 13 years, Whitney served as the CEO growing the company to 16 units including a franchise program.  He and his investors sold the company in 2006 to a strategic buyer.

Whitney served as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) for the next 14 years.  During his tenure, he significantly diversified and grew NCOBS to be the largest and most financially successful Outward Bound school in the US, and one of the largest in the world.  While leading NCOBS he also founded and twice served as the Executive Director of the Outward Bound Services Group, a member driven marketing and sales organization.

Apart from his career, Whitney enjoys recreating in the mountains or on the water.  He is passionate about skiing, cycling, hiking, and paddling.  He loves live music too.  He and his wife, Lindsay, have five children living and thriving in different parts of the US.

Whitney moved to Big Sky from Asheville, NC.  

  Ashley grew up in Michigan and its there that she obtained her degree in business. She made the move to Montana after making several trips to Big Sky and discovering the beautiful mountains and endless recreational opportunities surrounding us. Her passion for the Big Sky community, love for the mountains and all things outdoors were the driving force in joining BSCO. “The sense of community in Big Sky is what makes it such a special place. There is this undeniable sense of something special here and, for me, it’s the people. The people are what makes this town so great and, working with BSCO gives me the opportunity to be involved in making this place even more special.”

Outside of work, Ashley serves as the President for SWMMBA Big Sky Chapter and board member of the Gallatin River Taskforce. You can catch Ashley spending her free time with her husband, Drew and their husky, Juneau enjoying all the recreational opportunities that surround us either mountain biking, camping, skiing, hiking, or on the river.

Originally from Minnesota, Jeff moved to Montana in 2003 to attend school at the University of Montana. He moved to Big Sky in 2008 to fulfill his skiing addiction. After working as a raft guide, ski patroller, and park ranger, Jeff joined the BSCO in 2018. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, playing in the mountains, being on the river, and living life.

Born and raised in New England, Marco fell in love with Greater Yellowstone after visiting family in the area. The picturesque land surrounding Big Sky, river access, and skiing made the decision to call home here easy.  Marco brings years of experience in arboriculture and building trails as well as his talents as a photographer to the Big Sky Community Organization team.  When not at work in the park on the trails or at BASE, Marco can be found skiing, rock climbing, fishing, and out hiking and biking with his wife and dog.

Sara comes to BSCO with 17 years of non-profit experience in Membership and Development for the conservation organization, Montana Environmental Information Center. Sara and her husband, son and dog have been visiting Big Sky for many years to ski, hike and bike, and made the move official in the Winter of 2018. She is excited to be a part of the Big Sky community and helping people connect with the amazing recreational opportunities this special place has to offer.

Originally from Indiana, Eileen moved to Montana in 1998 to attend Montana State University.  After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotions, she worked for non-profits including Eagle Mount and Young at Heart in Bozeman, MT.  Eileen received her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in 2006 and worked as an OT for 16 years specializing in acute care, neuro rehabilitation, and outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation.  She is enthusiastic to return to her roots in community health promotion as the BSCO Recreation and Wellness Manager.  Eileen has called Big Sky, MT home since 2011 and enjoys exploring the surrounding rivers and mountains with her husband and 2 dogs.

Carly hails from Grand Rapids, MI but has spent the last 13 years working with youth in Florida, Colorado, California, and now Big Sky, MT. Her previous roles as a nursery manager, pre-school teacher and camp manager have all prepared her to excel in her role as Youth Development Manager at BASE. She has a commitment to fostering positive environments and understanding the various needs of youth–Carly shines when kids are around. She creates a safe space where youth feel comfortable expressing their unique selves. When she’s not chasing kids at BASE or at Camp Big Sky, Carly enjoys her time with her husband rock climbing, the mountains and rivers with her puppy Sazi, painting, and cooking the yummiest of vegan dishes while jamming to some Dean Martin. She is excited to continue making childcare accessible for our growing Big Sky community.