President - Mindy Kaufman
mindy@mojavedesertlandtrust.org
Mindy Kaufman is the owner of Spin and Margies’ Desert Hideaway in Joshua Tree, CA.  A small boutique Inn that she and her husband opened in 2000. Prior to that Mindy lived in San Francisco, CA where she owned a successful home accessories design firm. Mindy has served as past presidents of both the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce and the Municipal Advisory Council to the County of San Bernardino before joining the board of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Mindy holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design in NYC.

Secretary - John Simpson
john@mojavedesertlandtrust.org
John Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and began his career in commercial real estate. His experience includes market research and reporting, valuation, consulting and sales. He has worked for Cushman & Wakefield, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) and First Interstate Bank. John is presently the owner of All American Real Estate in Joshua Tree and is developing the eco-friendly Joshua Tree Recreational Campground. John's love of nature has inspired him to work in every way he can to preserve the natural environment.

Treasurer - Jane Grunt Smith
jane@mojavedesertlandtrust.org
Jane Grunt Smith is the owner of the 29 Palms Inn in Twentynine Palms, CA. She grew up there and the Inn has been in her family since 1928. In addition to running a most successful Inn in the California Desert, Jane serves as President of the Copper Mountain College Foundation and is on the board of the Action Council of Twentynine Palms, a nonprofit public art charity.

Director - Buford Crites
Mr. Crites is a Board Vice President of Friends of the Desert Mountains, a dedicated citizen, volunteer, professor, and a member of the Palm Desert city council since 1986. Born in Owensville, Mo., he moved to the desert in 1976. He attended Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo., earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. The following year Mr. Crites earned a Master of Science degree in information sciences, from Illinois State University, Normal, Ill. Mr. Crites recently retired from the College of the Desert, where he was a communication professor. He has served on a number of commissions and councils, and has received many prestigious awards for his work and service. He is a former Mayor and Council member of the City of Palm Desert and Emeriti Professor of Communication at College of the Desert.

Director - Robert Maling
Mr. Maling is a former Vice President of Toyota who still provides executive consulting services for the company in China and for Volkswagen in Mexico. Mr. Maling maintains a consulting business in Joshua Tree and spends a considerable amount of time in the Morongo Basin. He was previously on the board of the Joshua Tree National Park Association where he increased membership by 60%, and has served on the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Advisory Board.

Director - Kimberly Bowers
Kimberly Bowers is Director of Community Relations at The Living Desert in Palm Desert.  Her experience includes Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, and Community Outreach.  Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Missouri.  Throughout her college and professional career, Kimberly has been actively involved in nature and conservation.  She traveled extensively before finding her way to Joshua Tree, California, where she is happy to call home.