STAFF
With whom you will be working with
Western Colorado Conservation Corps staff members are an eclectic group. We hire and train a diverse set of leaders to provide the best quality of services.
The WCCC partners with individuals and groups that have a variety of interests. Our job is to make sure that we're providing young people with the tools they need to succeed, while delivering quality services to land managers.
While helping young people develop, our professional staff is here to work with you on every stop along the way!
Meet The Team
Jeff Roberts
Director
Jeff has been with the WCCC since 2011, and has served as Director since August 2013. Prior to his non-profit work, Jeff managed a retail store for 12 years. He ran a $24 million store and supervised 170 employees. Jeff has also served as a firefighter and an EMT since 2005. Jeff, his wife Alyssa and their son David live in Grand Junction, CO.
Marcus Kissner
Associate Director
Marcus is passionate about providing real world training and hands-on experience to members of the Corps. As a two-time decorated combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is a natural leader for Corps members to look up to. In his free time, you can find Marcus at the baseball diamond with his son or hunting on the Grand Mesa.
Morgan Smith
Human Resource Manager & AmeriCorps Compliance Officer
Morgan was born and raised in central Texas. Texas is where her love for everything outdoors started. From living on a ranch and raising livestock to participating in nature clean ups with the girl scouts. Morgan’s work experience in management has given her a well-rounded experience that she is able to share with the Corps. Morgan enjoys fishing and camping every chance she gets.
Jocelyn was born and raised in California. She has enjoyed the outdoors from a young age, ranging from riding dirt bikes at the age of 5, to participating in Adventure Crew in high school. She has always loved being outside. Her interests also include painting, road trips, traveling, and animals.
Derek grew up in central Pennsylvania on a farm. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental geoscience with a minor in geographic information technology. He loves interacting with animals and being outside. Some of his hobbies include hunting, hiking, and gaming.
Dean Litz
Logistics Manager
Dean is a 27-yr retired military army mechanic. When he isn't getting into trouble with his grandson, Dean spends his time hunting and enjoying the outdoors. He recently participated in a Gunnison River cleanup where over 100,000 pounds of trash was removed from a 3 mile stretch along the river!
Matt Costigan
Field Manager
Matt grew up in Grand Junction, and worked his way up through the corps as an assistant crew leader and crew leader in 2018 – 2020. In 2020 he started attending Colorado State University and graduated with a double bachelor's in Natural Resources Management and Restoration Ecology in May 2023. He returned to the corps as Field Manager in June 2023. In his free time he enjoys camping, backpacking, and gaming.
Anja Riedel
Intern Manager & Event Coordinator
Anja has two bachelor's degrees in physical & environmental geology and a minor in geographic information systems. She's passionate about being a good steward of the natural world and learning everything she can about science.
Anja spends her free time at concerts & hockey games, camping, and gaming.
Denis Ngochi
Saw Technician
Denis aka Divine hails from across the big pond, born in Kenya and raised in Colorado. In 2020 he left for San Diego, California and in 2025 returned, joining WCCC. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering and Business Development/Administration. Divine has traveled to 37 states and hopes to get to all 50. He enjoys almost all/any outdoors activities, going to the gym, living a healthy lifestyle, learning and vibing to good music.
Jocelyn Gottschalk
Administrative Assistant
Bailey Goldberg
Field Manager
Bailey grew up in Northern Idaho where she fell in love with the outdoors. She got a bachelor's degree in biology and environmental science at the University of Iowa, and spent her time in college researching parasitic wasps and volunteering for bird banding research. She worked at the Conservation Corps in Iowa before moving to Grand Junction to become an AFM with WCCC in 2023, and then a Field Manager in 2025. In her free time, Bailey loves to cook, do puzzles, and be out in nature (usually catching bugs or watching birds).
Derek Yingling
Assistant Field Manager
Mikayla Eccher
Assistant Field Manager
Mikayla was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. She has a bachelor's degree in environmental science and an associate’s degree in Spanish from Colorado Mesa University, where she also played soccer. She enjoys camping, collaging, gardening, and traveling. She is passionate about sustainability and giving everyday items more than one life.
Dalton Schroeder
Assistant Field Manager
Dalton grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, and later attended the University of Wyoming. He graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in Earth Systems Science and Environment & Natural Resources. Dalton has worked for many natural resource agencies across Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. As a passionate steward of the land, Dalton enjoys reflecting the beauty of conserved areas through photography.
Our land managers are our partners, that's why we ensure quality project management.
Corpsmember development is our priority, so we collaborate with national service experts.
