Paula Burton, President
Paula Burton is an avid mountain biker, hiker, skier and trail builder. She has served in many advocacy roles and jobs including Appalachian Trail Ridge Runner, Trail Maintainer, AMC Board of Directors, President of Housatonic Valley Chapter of New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), NEMBA Board of Directors, and member of the Governor’s Connecticut Greenways Council.
R. Bruce Donald, TREASURER
Bruce is the Southern New England Manager for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, leading greenway advocacy efforts in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and central Massachusetts. He previously served as president of the Farmington Valley Trails Council, was appointed Chairman of the Governor’s Connecticut Greenways Council, and serves on many other boards. He received an Official Citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in 2016 and the Peoples’ Choice Award from Bike/Walk Connecticut in 2018 in recognition of his efforts.
Bruce is a lifelong bicyclist and alpine skier. That brought him to Middlebury College in Vermont, where he earned a B.A. in political science, followed by an M.A. in history at Trinity College. He worked for 17 years in investment brokerage, management, and banking with international companies. He also authored many financial, investment, and historical articles and a book, Manhood and Patriotic Awakening in the American Civil War.
Mick Ferraro, SECRETARY
Mick is an avid cyclist and up-and-coming, aspiring snowboarder. A long time member of the New England Mountain Bike Association and Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Mick has been racing mountain bikes since the Granny Gear 24 hour races of the mid 90’s. As a former coach in the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program and parent of twin 15 year old boys, his passion for bikes and the outdoors is being handed down to the to the next generation of outdoor advocates in Connecticut.
A graduate of Greensboro College (NC), Mick is the Director of Outreach and Membership for the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA). He and his wife, Mia, reside in Simsbury with those twin boys, Hudson and Hendrix.
WALKER HOLMES
Walker is an advocate for the outdoors in her work and play. She is Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut State Director for Trust for Public Land. She serves as a board member of Gather New Haven, past president of New Haven Land Trust, and current member of the Open Space Review Board for the State of Connecticut. Walker is a lecturer on land conservation at Yale School of the Environment and teaches yoga at Ascent Climbing Gym in New Haven.
Walker and her family are all-around, all-season outdoor adventurers, most often found hiking, cycling, running, and skiing on trails in Connecticut and all over New England.
Neil Johnson, Vice President
An active skier, cyclist and hiker who enjoys exploring the outdoor gems Connecticut has to offer. Neil is an outdoor enthusiast whose passion is helping others safely and responsibly find their place in the outdoors. Throughout his career in the outdoor industry and as the former Store Manager of REI CO-OP in Milford, CT his passion for the outdoors and the outdoor industry has given him the opportunity to inspire and educate more people than he ever could have hoped. Neil sets the standard for CORA’s work-life balance!
Mike Smith
Mike Smith is a former collegiate swimmer and rower who now spends his warm weather months racing outrigger canoes, riding bikes for cancer charity events, and sailing on Long Island Sound; in the winters he enjoys the snow on a snowboard when he can. Growing up in the shoreline community of Milford, water and the outdoors were always part of his life. Now he works hard to instill the same love of nature in his ten-year-old daughter. She had her first surf lessons this past summer and watching her smile ear to ear was the highlight of the summer. He’s excited to be part of CORA and help grow the outdoor recreation ecosystem in Connecticut.
TANYA BOURGOIN
Tanya is a born and bred CT native, lifelong public servant and conservation advocate. Her advocacy calling began in elementary school where she orchestrated fundraisers supporting wildlife conservation and in high school she founded a club to promote tolerance. As a young adult, she obtained certification as a wildlife rehabilitator. Currently, she serves on the board of CT chapter of the Sierra Club, Friends of CT State Parks and is founder and president of Friends of Machimoodus and Sunrise State Parks. Committed to an active life of service, Tanya was recently elected to the Board of Selectmen for the Town of East Haddam. When not in a meeting (and even sometimes when she is), Tanya likes to be outdoors with her husband, dogs, ducks and goats. The cats stay inside!
Joseph Dickerson, Ex OFFICIO
Joseph is a passionate advocate of adventure as motivation and revelation. As the owner of Inspired Adventurist, he supports individuals and teams in building the fitness, technique, and mindset to accomplish their outdoor bucket-list.
In his own personal adventures, Joseph is a mountain bike racer, bikepacking guide, mountaineer, fly-fisher and even spent some time avoiding arm-bars in MMA battles. He believes that our mind is what holds us back; with focused training and coaching almost anything is possible.
With an expertise in social enterprise and consulting, Joseph formerly ran BiCi Co Community Bike Shop. He balanced the community impact mission of educating youth and adults on bicycle maintenance and safe riding, with the profit-driven imperative to reinvest profits for social impact.
Advisory Board
We gratefully appreciate the many contributions of those who offer invaluable advice, expertise and time:
Rae Ettenger, Appalachian Mountain Club
Derek Raymond, Group Vice President, ShelterLogic and Arrow
Peter Sachs, Lowa Boots
Past Directors
We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of those who volunteered previously on the Board of Directors.
Jeff Shaw
Kimberly Bradley
Christine D’Andrea
Eric Hammerling
Peter Marteka
Christopher Shepard
Mason Trumble