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 - 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. 

Director - Bonnie Kopp
bonnie@trueworldgallery.com
Bonnie Kopp is a city planner with experience in land acquisition, zoning, community and government relations, grant-writing, and park management. She began her career in New York City after receiving a Masters in Urban Planning from New York University, and soon relocated to Los Angeles. She was the Deputy Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which acquires and preserves land, and develops parks and interpretive centers. She also worked in the private sector as a land use consultant, and in the public sector as a Planning Deputy for two Los Angeles City councilmembers, including the late Marvin Braude, who is credited with preserving 50,000 acres of parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains. Full-time desert residents since 2007, Bonnie and her husband own the True World Gallery in Joshua Tree.