CFGV’s Newest Team Member
In fall of 2024, we posted a job opening for a new Administrative Coordinator. Given how many talented people there are in the Gunnison Valley who care about community, we were certain we’d get some excellent applicants and find a great person to add to our team. We were right.
We could never have anticipated that we would end up hiring someone with such a unique set of skills. Meet Tanith Martinez, the first licensed pilot to ever work for CFGV. Tanith has a really interesting background in aviation and education and her skills make her a great complement to the staff. We hope you get a chance to meet her at the CFGV office or an event soon. In the meantime, she answered a few questions for us and you can find her answers below.
What do you love most about the Gunnison Valley?
I love this small community and its wonderful, friendly people. Community connection is extremely important to me. Having grown up in a small town, I wanted to raise my children in a similar setting. Gunnison has provided my family with a thriving and rewarding life full of joy, support, security, outdoor adventures, and a sense of belonging. I’m proud to call Gunnison home!
What other nonprofits have you worked or volunteered with? In what roles?
I have volunteered with the Tuskegee Airmen, a variety of Middle and High School aviation STEM programs, and I volunteer for precollegiate mentoring for aspiring new pilots. I am new to the nonprofit world and excited for this new adventure.
What's the best part of working at CFGV (so far)?
I had been looking for a career change, but I didn’t want to just do anything. I wanted something with purpose, intention, and meaning. I am happy to say I have found that with CFGV. Working with Lauren, Alicia, and Jess has been absolutely delightful. With their abundant knowledge and experience, I know I am in good hands to become a nonprofit pro. I am ready to do my part to aid, lift, and strengthen this valley for the positive energy felt by one can spread to us all.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside of work.
I enjoy the Valley’s plentiful outdoor activities with my husband, Jerry, and our two children, Tilden and Atlee. You’ll find us on the slopes, hiking, paddle boarding, swimming in Blue Mesa, and enjoying live music. I’m also a pilot and teach mountain flying courses, conduct scenic tours, and donate charity flights. If you see a Colorado colored aircraft buzzing around (Red, Yellow, and Orange), that is me!
What's your favorite Gunnison Valley event?
The Night of Lights is my favorite. I love our little Whoville! I enjoy seeing my kids run around with their rosy colored cheeks from the cold making memories with their friends. The feeling of joyfulness and camaraderie in the air is something truly special.
Simplified Summary
CFGV (Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley) has hired a new team member named Tanith Martinez as their Administrative Coordinator. What makes Tanith special is that she’s the first pilot to ever work for CFGV! Tanith loves living in Gunnison Valley because it’s a small, friendly community where she can raise her family. She enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and swimming with her husband and two children. As a pilot, she teaches mountain flying and gives scenic tours in her red, yellow, and orange airplane. Before joining CFGV, Tanith worked with groups that help young people learn about flying. She chose to work at CFGV because she wanted a job that would help make her community better. She really enjoys working with her new team members Lauren, Alicia, and Jess. Tanith’s favorite event in Gunnison Valley is the Night of Lights, which reminds her of Whoville from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She loves watching her kids play with their friends during this special winter celebration.
