BHCC Board Member Elections

Starting on Dec 18th @ 10 PM - Dec 21st @12pm

This year we will be using an online voting platform so BHCC members who are unable to be at the location for elections can still vote.

Click below to vote now!

Vote Here!

(Must be an active BHCC member to vote)

Get to Know the Candidates

Peyton was born and raised in western Nebraska, she moved home to the hills, fell in love with her husband and rock climbing back in 2019.
Peyton has been actively involved with the Black Hills Climbers Coalition for the past six years in minor roles such as publicist and secretary. Finishing nursing school and having more time to commit to a more in depth role, Peyton feels like she would be a great transition into the presidential position.
Through her long-term involvement, she has gained a strong understanding of what it take to be successful in this role. She hopes to use her experience to build upon what she has been apart of.
She hopes to involve more land management collaboration, volunteer coordination, event organization, community outreach, stewardship efforts and her favorite, scheduling/planning. Peyton is a planner and hopes that will be one of her best attributes that she can bring to the Black Hills Climbing community.
Born in Rapid City, Terran calls the Paha Sapa her home. She has been climbing since 2001 and even fell in love with her husband while playing on our granite rocks. Though she has traveled to stunning island crags, the Black Hills hold a special place in her heart. Professionally, Terran holds a PhD in chemical engineering and serves as Director of Quality at a national compressed‑gas company, work that keeps her grounded in safety, stewardship, and clear communication. A lifelong volunteer, she has led several nonprofits, including President of Graduate Women in Science, and she’s passionate about mentoring youth and helping the next generation discover climbing and confidence. At home, Terran is a proud stepmom to an adult son (soon welcoming a first grandchild) and mom to two boys (10 & 3). Ready to commit her energy to the Climbing Coalition, Terran aims to protect access, strengthen engagement & communication, and build long‑term funding to keep the Black Hills climbing community thriving.
Matt has previously served on the BHCC board and is currently an active member of the bolting community, where he continues to support route maintenance and fixed-anchor stewardship in the Black Hills. Through this work, Matt remains closely connected to on-the-ground climbing needs and long-term access considerations.
Matt is seeking to return to the board because he supports the direction BHCC is heading and wants to contribute both from a technical stewardship perspective and at the organizational leadership level.
Hailing from the eastern prairie of South Dakota, Courtney moved to Spearfish in 2011 to attend Black Hills State University and obtain a BS in English Education. After serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching, finishing graduate school, and working in research and policy in Washington D.C., she answered the call to return to South Dakota. While everyone wants a thriving recreation community, Courtney knows and values that it takes commitment, work, and a collective vision to sustain the mission of the BH climbing community for the long haul. She brings extensive knowledge and experience of navigating public systems and policies that can support the Black Hills climbing community.
Jim has been climbing in the Black Hills since 1973 mainly in the Needles and at Devil's Tower. Several years ago, he completed his goal of climbing every single one of the Cathedral Spires. When not climbing with his wife Denise, he might be found out in more remote areas of the Black Elk Wilderness searching for some of those seldom visited Conn routes.
Brian is a longtime Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin climber who relocated to the Black Hills in 2024. During college, he became the president of his climbing club, co-founded the climbing equipment company Skillzboard, and was actively involved with the Wisconsin Climbers Association. Brian is excited to engage with the growing Black Hills climbing community and help keep access and responsible development open in the Hills. When he's not questing up a runout, he can be found working as a mechanical engineer or trying out a new bread recipe at home.
A long time Black Hills climber (10+ years), John is motivated to stay involved in the climbing community during this important time of policy development. John grew up with the Hills in his backyard and always wanted to be involved in conversations that will have a lasting impact on climbing in the Black Hills.
Peter is a local physician who grew up in Salt Lake City climbing on the Wasatch front and in Moab. He has been in the Black Hills and loving climbing on the Harney granite since 2014. Peter has 6 wonderful kids ages 9-19 and is teaching them to climb wherever they can!
Kirsten first started climbing in the Black Hills in 2019 and was hooked - she became an official resident of Custer in 2021 along with her husband, Ian. Preserving the beauty and accessibility of the climbing areas is her top priority. Outside of climbing, Kirsten stays busy raising her son, Charlie, keeping up with the area locals and roaming the outdoors.
Mark has been actively involved with the Black Hills Climbers Coalition for many years, serving in multiple leadership roles and supporting the organization through periods of growth and change. His experience includes working with land managers, organizing volunteers and community events, and helping develop systems that support BHCC’s long-term mission.
Mark hopes to continue supporting the board by providing historical context, strategic insight, and community representation. In this role, he aims to assist current and incoming board members, help maintain continuity during leadership transitions, and contribute where needed.
Ron grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota & started climbing in 1972! He helped start the BHCC in 1991 and received the “Menocal Life Time Achievement Award” from the Access Fund in 2018 for his leadership in the Black Hills climbing community and for being at the forefront of one of the longest-running and most successful bolt replacement programs in the country.