Kim’s interest in astronomy and astrophotography began in 2009 when he started with a DSLR and a 6in RC telescope and he was hooked. A student of Terry Hancock he used what he learned to expand his knowledge and passion for astronomy taking over the helm as Director following in Terry’s footsteps. He has been working with the observatory since it’s inception focusing on automating and setting up the telescope systems. His images have been published on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD), Sky And Telescope and Astronomy Magazine to name a few. Originally from Michigan, Kim relocated to Florida and spent most of his life there. He has run his own Information Technology company for the past 25 years. When he is not troubleshooting something at work or at the observatory he spends his time woodworking creating custom built furniture and is a musician and producer.

Tom's fondness for astronomy started at a young age while watching Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" with his family. After receiving his first telescope as a gift from his loving family in 2013, he caught the astrophotography and amateur astronomy bug in full force. A former student of Terry Hancock, Tom has used the skills and tools he learned from Terry's courses and has developed his own unique style of astrophotography. Tom's images have been published around the internet, most notably on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD), BBC Sky at Night, Universe Today and others. He is also a Photographer, Technical Volunteer and Telescope Operator at Mount Wilson Observatory just outside of Los Angeles, CA.

When not under the stars or staring at a computer screen processing astrophotos, Tom works in the Information Technology field mainly focusing on low-voltage systems, computer systems, networking, security and automation. He enjoys spending time with his Jack Russell Terrier, Frida at the park or on a hike and his tuxedo cat, Melissa, while she lies across his desk as he is trying to work. He also likes listening to music, surfing, snowboarding and reading/watching science fiction.

Catherine's passion for astronomy started from stargazing at a very young age, developing into a fascination of black holes and cosmology in middle school.  She then pursued astronomy and physics for a career.  As a student at the University of Iowa she studied magnetic fields in the universe using radio waves until receiving an M.S. in astronomy.  Along the way, she did Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Very Large Array and the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.  After taking a General Relativity course in graduate school, she fell under the spell of theoretical physics and received a Ph.D. in string theory.  Continuing this adventure as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, she realized that teaching and education is incredibly important in this world and an area in which she could have a true impact and returned to the U.S. with that goal in mind.  One of the reasons she came to Colorado Mesa University as a professor was to return to her initial passion for astronomy.  The unique connection between the Grand Mesa Observatory, the Air Force Academy's Falcon Telescope Network, and Colorado Mesa University was what drew her to the area, and of course the amazingly gorgeous scenery of Western Colorado.  She now uses the Grand Mesa Observatory's telescopes with her students to help discover exoplanets and measure their properties.  Her other addictions include, but are not limited to CrossFit, cooking, trail running, crafting cocktails, and dog petting.

Heidi Ragsdale is a STEM educator’s educator! After nearly 20 years in eighth-grade science, Heidi is the Founder and CEO of STEM is My Future, LLC, where she provides professional development for teachers with aerospace, geographic information systems (GIS) technologies, problem-based learning, National Geographic Education resources, and Maker Ed. Currently, Heidi provides virtual training via Grand Junction MakerSpace, a community makerspace in western Colorado. She serves as a Space Exploration Educator Crew Orion member with Space Center Houston; a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison and Mentor Educator; a Solar System Ambassador; a recipient of funding from the National Geographic Society and Delta Kappa Gamma International Educator’s Foundation; a 2022 Girl Scouts of Colorado, Women of Distinction honoree, an Esri teacher trainer for GIS; a teacher forum member of Beyond 100K; a Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) ambassador; an art jurist for DKG International Art Gallery, the webmaster for Colorado Delta Kappa Gamma; and on the board of the Latin Anglo Alliance Foundation. She is the founder of the the STEM is My Future, Geo Maker Institute and #GJSpaceLadies, a group of like-minded space-loving educators who get it done! Heidi’s favorite things to make are beautiful digital maps, geography and space jewelry with her group, Colorado Space Crafts, and a difference on Earth.

Terry's interests in Astronomy began when he was thirteen and found himself inspired by the writings of the astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, and under the dark skies of the Australian outback he found what would ultimately be his life's calling. Terry's astrophotos have been published by NASA and featured in Astronomy, Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy Now, National Geographic, The Daily Mail, Yahoo, Space.com, and many other well-known online publications. In 2016, he retired from his career in the commercial sign business and moved to Colorado where he supervised the construction of the Grand Mesa Observatory, brought it to an operational status, and has now retired.

John grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1958. He received his Bachelor of Science degree
in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1963 and his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Air Force Institute of Technology in 1975. He served twenty-four years on active duty in the United States Air Force. His USAF awards include three Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, and 16 Air Medals. He retired in 1987 as a commander of the Eastern Space and Missile Center. In 1989, he became one of the founders, the CEO, and later Chairman of the Board of AirScan, Inc., an
airborne security and surveillance company that has operated domestically and internationally, including 8 years in Iraq under contract to the United States Army. Under his leadership, AirScan, Inc. grew to 300+ employees, 30+ aircraft, and a $100 Million annual revenue. He sold his interest in the company and retired in 2011.

Victoria Rae Brouse-Mansur (Vicki) is a 4th generation Coloradoan. Two sets of great grandparents settled in Mesa County in the late 1800’s, and she was raised on the ranch where the Grand Mesa Observatory is located. She attended the Purdy Mesa community one-room country school , about 5 miles away on Divide Road. She graduated from Grand Junction High School and attended the University of Colorado, where she majored in elementary education. She and John Mansur were married in 1959 and she spent 24 years as an Air Force wife, caring for two daughters, and maintaining the sanity of a family that moved 15 times in that 24 years. After the Air Force, Vicki served first as comptroller, then member the Board of Directors of AirScan, Inc. a company that she and John, along with Walter and Chris Holloway, founded in 1989. Vicki has taught special education in public schools, taught music privately, as well as Sunday school, and served as a leader in both 4-H and Girl Scouts. She is an artist and one of her oil paintings is in the Air Force Art Collection and hangs in the Old Executive Office Building in Washington DC. She is a musician, being an accomplished harpist, piano and keyboard player, and she has recently taken up making serious music on the ukulele. She is proud to be a founder of the Grand Mesa Observatory and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Observatory.

Quinton has lived in Mesa County since 1979 and has family ties to the area that go back over 100 years.  He currently serves as President Elect on the Mesa State Alumni Board, and is a member of the Redlands Rotary Club. He also serves on the Mesa County Search and Rescue Team.  He has previously served on the boards of Grand Valley Transit, Redlands Rotary, Western Colorado Boy Scouts, Western Colorado Credit Union Association as well as several committees for The Credit Union Association of Colorado. Quinton is also the President of Shear Inc., a 27-year-old family owned company in the energy industry involved in exploration, land services, and oil and gas investments. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and management from Colorado Mesa University in 1987 and is a 1999 graduate of Western CUNA Management School.