The Valley Housing Fund recently elected new board officers to help guide the next phase of our work in the Gunnison Valley. Each brings strong ties to this community along with experience across nonprofits, business leadership, education, and housing advocacy.
We’re excited to introduce the people stepping into these new roles and share a bit more about the perspective they bring to our mission.
John O’Neal, Board President
John moved to Crested Butte in 1975 and grew up at the Old Steakhouse on Peanut Lake Road. After graduating from Gunnison High School, he attended the University of Oklahoma, following in his parents’ footsteps.
He spent more than 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, including several years living in Spain supporting efforts connected to the Camino de Santiago. After working in Austin for several years, John returned to Crested Butte with his family with a clear focus on advancing attainable housing opportunities for local people.
Over the past five years, he has worked on housing projects across the Gunnison Valley and with Fading West Development in Buena Vista, and has also gotten involved with local government. John believes that homes that locals can afford are the foundation for a healthy, resilient community.
Dewey Overholser, Vice President
Dewey has been connected to Crested Butte since 1988, when he first began visiting the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. He became a full-time resident in 2017 and now owns The Bar Above and Coffee Lab in the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
As a small business owner, Dewey sees firsthand how housing availability impacts employees, employers, and the broader local economy. He previously served on the board of the Community Resiliency Alliance, an organization focused on increasing awareness and engagement around housing challenges in the valley.
In his role at the Valley Housing Fund, Dewey focuses on strengthening the organization’s financial sustainability and supporting long-term housing solutions.
Amy Ellwein, Treasurer / Secretary
Amy first came to the Gunnison Valley as a field assistant on a geology project and has continued studying the region ever since. She has worked as a Research Professor at Western Colorado University since 2010, where she focuses on how geologic landscapes evolve over time in response to climate and ecology.
Amy brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience, including 10 years with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory as Director of Science Communications and eight years as Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Science Education Institute of the Southwest in Albuquerque.
During her time in the Gunnison Valley, Amy has seen many friends leave the community because of housing and financial pressures. Supporting solutions that help people remain in the valley is a deeply personal priority for her.
A Special Thank You to Scott Desmarais
We also want to recognize outgoing Board President Scott Desmarais for his leadership and involvement over the past four years! As President, Scott played a critical role in elevating the cause of affordable housing in the valley, and he will remain on the board and continue supporting our mission to create a stronger, more resilient Gunnison Valley.
Housing solutions take collaboration, long-term thinking, and leadership from dedicated community members like John, Dewey, Amy, and Scott – along with our seven other board members. We are grateful for the experience, commitment, and local perspective these board officers bring to the Valley Housing Fund as we continue this important work together.
