Staff & Board
Michele James
Executive Director
Michele has spent two decades living in Flagstaff and advocating for N. Arizona ecosystems. Most recently, she was on the NAU faculty, teaching interdisciplinary courses related to climate change, art as an advocacy tool, and civic engagement.
Susie Garretson
President
Susie has been active in the community serving on various boards and committees in Flagstaff. She rejoined the F-cubed board in 2019.
Marcus Ford
Vice President
Marcus has lived and worked in Flagstaff for nearly thirty years and is committed to making Flagstaff a great place to live and raise a family. He came to Flagstaff in 1990 to teach at NAU and has never really left.
Mary Poore
Treasurer
Mary is a longtime resident and supporter of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, and as a board member, she brings her organizational and detail-oriented skills to the financial and membership sides of the organization.
Marilyn Weissman
Secretary
Marilyn moved to Flagstaff in 1992 with the desire to live full time where she would normally, as a big city dweller, take a vacation. She recently retired from her small land surveying business in Flagstaff.
Sandra Lubarsky
Sandra founded one of the first graduate programs in sustainability, the M.A. in Sustainable Communities, at Northern Arizona University and chaired the Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University.
Kim Curtis
Kim moved to Flagstaff in 2008 and brings with her a vast experience in sustainable grassroots organizing. Kim taught in the Masters in Sustainable Communities and other programs at NAU until recently, and continues her involvement with engaged learning and community organizations.
Anthony Garcia
Anthony has lived in Flagstaff his entire life and is a third generation resident. Anthony has been the chairman of the Beautification and Public Art Commission for many years and ran for City Council in 2020. Anthony has a deep understanding of the intricacies of the community & recognizes the importance of our cultural and ecological heritage.
Marie Jones
Marie and her family moved to Flagstaff in 2011 and settled in the Southside, attracted to its soul and spirit. Marie’s professional work is as an artist and designer with a focus on public work. Marie has served on the Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission since 2017.
Dara Marks Marino
Dara has lived in Flagstaff since the summer of 2000. In 2016 she earned a Master’s degree from NAU in Climate Science and Solutions and since then has worked and volunteered in many areas related to climate, environmental justice, air quality, energy, waste, and water conservation. Dara was a driving force behind the 2019 Climate Strike and the Climate Emergency Declaration. She currently works for the nonprofit WattTime.
Our Advisory Board
The Board of Directors of F3 meet monthly to discuss a range of topics, including governance of the organization, financial matters, staffing, issues facing the organization and the community, and strategic direction, among others. The Board strives for consensus in our decision-making. The Advisory Board is composed of people in the community who can advise the Board on these matters. We believe that better decisions can be made with a broader range of input, particularly from experts. Like the Board of Directors, potential members of the Advisory Board are nominated and voted on by the then current Board. There is no term for Advisory Board members, and they serve as long as both they and the Board of Directors would like. The Board will consult with Advisory Board members, either as a group or individually, depending on the nature of the issue to be discussed. Generally, the Board will seek to have a formal meeting with the Advisory Board at least annually.
Bill Towler
Bill retired from Coconino County’s planning department after 26 years. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge about development and community planning to his role as an advisor.
Ron Borkan
Ron first lived in Flagstaff in 1990 when working for SWCA, Inc. Environmental Consultants. After 11 years in Flagstaff, Ron moved to several other locations and then returned to Flagstaff in 2016 after retiring from SWCA. Ron now serves on the board of many different Flagstaff organizations.
Nat White
Nat has been a fixture of Flagstaff for over 50 years. Nat’s civic contributions have included serving on the Flagstaff City Council, the Technical Research Innovation Fund, the Flagstaff/Coconino County Library Foundation Board, and the Sustainable Economic Development initiative and the Coconino Community College District Governing Board.
Ethan Aumack
Ethan has been the Executive Director of the Grand Canyon Trust since 2018. Ethan grew up in Flagstaff, exploring the canyon country of northern Arizona since childhood. The Grand Canyon Trust was influential in the formation of F3 over 25 years ago and has been a long-time supporter.
Becky Daggett
Becky has lived in Flagstaff for over 20 years and was one of F3’s first Executive Directors. Becky now serves on the Flagstaff City Council as Vice Mayor. Becky has held many leadership positions at the state and local levels.
Rachel Ellis
Rachel works for the national nonprofit American Rivers within the Colorado River/Southwest Basin Program. Rachel served on the F3 Board for many years during and after she completed her Masters degree in Sustainable Communities at NAU. Rachel lives in Flagstaff.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers and vendors, and providing of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, Board, members, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.