About Us
Curtis Hearst, Executive Director
Curtis joined Partners in 2013 as a case manager. In 2015 he accepted the role of Executive Director. Along with his administrative duties, Curtis assists with monthly activities and leads the Partners' Teen Advisory Board. Curtis has mentored three youth in the program including his current mentee Chris. Outside of the office Curtis is passionate about the outdoors. He spends his free time fly fishing, hunting, camping, rafting and biking. Curtis also loves spending time with his wife Leah, son, and two energetic dogs.
curtis@partners-west.org - 249-1116
Lissette Riviere, Art Partners Case Manager
Lissette is the Montrose Art Partners case manager, she also handles our fundraising events. "What I like best about my job is knowing I have a hand in making a positive change in the lives of our youth. It is rewarding to provide them with opportunities they might not otherwise get to experience and seeing their smiling faces when they succeed." Lissette is also a mentor; her partnership with her mentees is going on 5 years. Outside of work she loves spending time with her grandchildren, golfing, reading, and hanging out with friends. When she isn't busy raising funds and awareness for the program, she tries to make time for her stained glass art. lissette@partners-west.org - 249-1116
Fernanda Parra, Montrose County Case Manager
- Fernanda has spent most of her life on the Western Slope of Colorado. She attended Colorado Mesa University where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Her goal has always been to be a person who people can trust for support. Fernanda is fluent in Spanish and English and likes to learn the basics of different languages . She could probably hold a conversation with you if you spoke French or Portuguese (but slowly). Some of Fernanda's favorite things are yoga, martial arts, and Marvel movies. fernanda@partners-west.org 970-249-1116
David Padilla, Delta County Case Manager
David grew up right here in western Colorado - Olathe to be exact. David has a pro-active way of doing things and several years ago opened his own auto shop - Wicked Mobile, in Olathe. But his passion for community brought him out from under the hood to help bring in mentoring services and activities for area youth. He also serves as a coach for soccer and flag football. He enjoys time with his 5 kids and beautiful wife, getting them all outside and keeping an eye on sporting events.
david@partners-west.org 874-4661
Jan Pauly, Art Partners Case Manager
Jan Pauly believes in treating others as she’d like to be treated and helping others is her way of living that belief. Being a case manager for Partners is not only helping kids grow up to be great adults, but it’s helping adults realize the benefits of having a positive effect on kids. It’s a win-win situation for everyone! She loves to create and explore, to learn and to teach. She went to college late, taking all kinds of art classes and graduated shortly after turning 40. She uses what she learned every day and loves exploring the different creative forms and mediums of art. She and her husband recently moved to Colorado to live, explore and play in the mountains. jan@partners-west.org - 874-4661
Kayle Vernon, Ouray Case Manager
Kayle was born and raised on the Western Slope and has been a resident of Ouray for several years. He and his partner Amy are active and talented musicians and have a band Cabin Dragon. Kayle enjoys scouring the mountains for mushrooms, hitting the rivers for trout and hanging with is dogs. Kayle@partners-west.org - 901-6488
Betsy Shepherd, Retired!
Betsy has been dedicated to Partners since 1996 and retired in April 2020. She has worked in all positions, except accounting and spent 24 years serving kids in Delta County. She has mentored 11 young woman in the program. Betsy truly cares and appreciates everyone who is involved with the program. While she is now retired, we know she has many connections and relationships - so if you need to reach Betsy her email remains the same and she is still very involved with Mentoring.
Betsyshe@partners-west.org