Executive Director Stephanie Thomas Announces Upcoming Retirement from TCSAR Foundation

Jackson, Wyo. — After spending 13 years at the helm of Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation, Stephanie Thomas, the organization’s founding Executive Director, has announced that she will be leaving her position upon the successful conclusion of Mission Critical, the capital campaign intended to bring a year-round rescue helicopter to Teton County. 

As TCSAR Foundation’s leader since its inception in 2010, Thomas has directed the Foundation forward through numerous projects and campaigns while forging partnerships and redefining success in the nonprofit sector. Mission Critical is the latest accomplishment in which Thomas successfully directed a fundraising campaign of $7.25 million in less than a year. With Mission Critical scheduled to be complete by May 31, 2023, Thomas will make her exit at that time. 

“Stephanie believed that community support could elevate an already distinguished TCSAR team up to the next level of accomplishment,” said Missy Whelan, emeritus board member for TCSAR Foundation. “Her driving energy and out-of-the-box thinking were just a couple of her unique qualities that helped to make TCSAR Foundation’s successes possible. She leaves behind a huge legacy of lasting impact and she will really be missed.”

A TCSAR volunteer since 2007, Thomas will continue to serve in that capacity.

““I’m excited to continue my role as a TCSAR volunteer, and I look forward to my next chapter in this wonderful community. Leading the Foundation has been an incredible journey and I’m so appreciative of the Foundation board, staff, donors, and all the amazing community members I’ve had the joy of working with over the years in support of TCSAR and backcountry safety.””

— Stephanie Thomas

“Supporting our community through supporting my team, truly like a family, has been something I will always be grateful for as it’s an opportunity most people can only dream about,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to continue my role as a TCSAR volunteer, and I look forward to my next chapter in this wonderful community. Leading the Foundation has been an incredible journey and I’m so appreciative of the Foundation board, staff, donors, and all the amazing community members I’ve had the joy of working with over the years in support of TCSAR and backcountry safety.”

Tim Ciocarlan, a TCSAR volunteer for 30 years and Thomas's original supervisor at TCSAR, stated, “Stephanie has always excelled at building new relationships while supporting old ones. Whether putting her team together, initiating public-awareness programs, or fostering relationships for fundraising goals, Stephanie continues to wildly exceed any of my expectations.”

Under Thomas’s leadership, TCSAR Foundation has accomplished the following: 

• Orchestrated the Mission Critical campaign to raise funds to purchase a year-round rescue helicopter for Teton County.

• Raised the profile of TCSARF to garner a new level of grassroots support through Old Bill’s and other fundraising platforms. 

• Supported the work of TIPS—Teton Interagency Peer Support—to provide anonymous free mental health support to all first-responders and their families in Teton County. 

• Worked with Search & Rescue teams regionally, nationally and internationally to redesign funding models for increased support for SAR teams throughout the world. 

• Advocated for the increase in helicopter operation funds from the county from 4 months to 8 months, and raised donations through the Heli-Yes campaign to fund additional training and partnerships. 

• Redesigned the community education program into Backcountry Zero, currently in its eighth year, which included launching The Fine Line podcast, the Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop, and What’s in Your Pack programming for people of all ages and abilities. 

• Created the TCSAR Foundation in 2012, separating the nonprofit from the TCSAR operations to allow volunteers to focus energies on rescues while a non-rescue volunteer board took over the fundraising and community education goals.  

• Raised funds to outfit the entire SAR volunteer team with personal safety gear, removing the financial burden from volunteers to provide their own equipment. 

• Raised the funds necessary to build the TCSAR hangar in 2010 and its remodel in 2015 to add additional meeting and office space. 

TCSAR Foundation is currently working on a succession plan to coincide with Thomas’s departure. Liz King, who has been with the Foundation since 2019, will take over as interim Executive Director until a permanent ED is hired. A celebration for Thomas will take place in early June.

Down the Home Stretch, All Donations to Mission Critical will be Tripled

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is excited to announce that it is on the precipice of reaching its goal of purchasing a year-round rescue helicopter for Teton County Search & Rescue. With six weeks left in the fundraising campaign—called Mission Critical—TCSAR Foundation is presenting the community with the unique opportunity to have every donation tripled. This is due to the generosity of two anonymous local donors who are pledging to match the next $50,000 donated to Mission Critical. 

The community can help bring a rescue ship home to Teton County by having every donation tripled for the next six weeks. Photo: Dirk Collins

Since August 2022, TCSAR Foundation has raised 99 percent of the funding needed to purchase a year-round backcountry-dedicated helicopter for Teton County. This amount stems from roughly 1,000 individual donations since Mission Critical was launched last summer. If the community can come together to raise another $50,000, TCSAR Foundation can successfully close out the campaign.

TCSAR does not own—and never has owned—a helicopter. TCSAR currently leases a rescue helicopter for eight months out of the year, leaving a critical gap in their ability to respond to life-threatening injuries. The lease model also puts TCSAR in jeopardy of not receiving a contracted helicopter in the future. 

With this excellent opportunity to triple every donation, TCSAR Foundation is asking everyone to pitch in for what will be a true community asset. A successful campaign means that Teton County will have an on-call rescue helicopter available 365 days a year. The helicopter will also be available to fight fires that threaten local homes and businesses, be able to respond to natural disasters, and be a resource for other backcountry emergencies in Teton County. 

Each year, TCSAR volunteers collectively donate 10,000 hours of their time to perform rescues, complete training exercises, provide education, and participate in community events. As backcountry use has exploded in our area, the volunteers are repeatedly called upon to respond to people in need of their help. Last year, nearly half of all rescues performed by TCSAR were for local and regional residents. Investing in the SAR ship is an investment for the health and safety of all backcountry users in our community.

For the next several weeks, TCSAR Foundation will continue its Mission Critical spring tour to get the word out and collect donations. To see the full schedule and to donate to the campaign, visit www.TetonCountySAR.org/mission-critical.

We're Hiring! TCSAR Foundation Seeks Operations Coordinator

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is seeking to hire an Operations Coordinator to join our dynamic, hard-working team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for TCSAR Foundation’s mission of supporting TCSAR volunteers and backcountry safety, and be able to successfully manage office records and financials for our busy 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

The Operations Coordinator works in collaboration with the entire staff at TCSAR Foundation to develop plans and implement policies in the financial and general operations realms. Qualified applicants should be able to maintain efficient and effective systems to increase productivity of the TCSAR Foundation.

This is a full-time position based at the TCSAR hangar in Jackson, Wyo. The job comes with a competitive salary and a generous benefits package that includes a health care stipend, PTO, ski pass benefits, and retirement. The office is friendly and fun and staffers work hard to support each other and the TCSAR volunteers.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter by April 30, 2023. 

Full office job description is below. To apply, please click the following link.

The Operations Coordinator for TCSAR Foundation will oversee the smooth operation of office administration, including:

Office Management 

• Manage office records and paperwork directly in line with requirements for state and federal policies for 501c3 management. 

• Manage the info@ email and office phone number, responding on behalf of TCSARF.

• Handle all QuickBooks & banking reconciling. Oversee staff credit cards, assure bookkeeping is accurate and expenses are correctly categorized.

• Banking oversight including transferring appropriate amounts into various accounts, managing account balances as needed.

• Manage all on site administrative financial duties including invoicing, reconciliation, and check requests. This requires close coordination with TCSAR Foundation external finance services.

• Work closely with the ED to coordinate HR-related activities, including benefits. 

• Assist in preparing for committee and board meetings, board retreats, and onboarding of new board members.  

• Manage Basecamp Board Documents folder. 

• Assist with communications with board and various committee members. (Take notes at meetings, manage subscriptions, etc) 

Fundraising and Communications  

• Assist with prospect research, donor cultivation, and grant preparation. 

• Aid in event planning, set up, and managing required services as necessary.

• Manage donor packet information in coordination with the Donor Relations Coordinator and Communications Director. 

• Work with the Communications Director to maintain the BC Zero and TCSAR website and email platforms.  

• Document all grant requests, applications, timelines and grant reports. 

What we are looking for:

Passion for TCSAR’s vision. 

Familiar with Teton County backcountry recreational opportunities.

Willingness to work hard, learn as you go and be part of a small nonprofit team.

Organized, detail oriented, strong communication and collaboration skills. 

Experience with Quickbooks, Google Drive and other online software programs.

About TCSAR Foundation: TCSAR Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers through direct support, community education and advocacy. The Foundation works with various community groups on education and outreach opportunities and works with local and state agencies on issues that affect SAR funding, opportunities and advancement.