Board of Directors – Lander Care & Share Food Bank

Melissa Novotny, Director

Melissa Novotny serves as the Director of the Lander Care and Share Food Bank, where she leads a dedicated team of volunteers, oversees food procurement, and coordinates our special events.

She and partner, Ed, are typical Lander residents, sharing their lives with their dog, Maci. They eagerly look forward to local events—especially Lander Presents—and rarely miss a farmers market during the summer. Melissa loves to stay on the move, whether it’s through her passion for the nonprofit field or exploring the natural beauty of Lander and Sinks Canyon. Hiking, paddleboarding, or simply enjoying the outdoors, she fully embraces the wonders of Wyoming. And if you stop by the food bank on a Thursday evening, you might even see Ed volunteering!

For any inquiries about the food bank, whether it’s about volunteering, donations, or general information, Melissa is your go-to person!

Roy Packer, Chairman

Roy joined the Food Bank Board of Directors in March of 2021. He was educated at Utah State University with degrees in Forest and Range Management. After a stint in the US Army and a 40-year career as a Range Ecologist with three diﬀerent federal agencies, he retired. He enjoys hiking in the Wind Rivers, biking, fishing, golf, and family. What better way to build a strong nation than by helping to build strong families and a strong community here in Lander through the Food Bank.

Era (Elizabeth) Aranow, Vice Chair

Era grew up outside of New York City and first came to Lander in 1997. After 15 summers in the Wind River Mountains, she finally made Lander her home in 2012. When not helping out at the food bank, she can be found teaching at Central Wyoming College, leading wilderness expeditions, volunteering for Lander Search and Rescue, or enjoying time outside.

Camille Phillips, Secretary

Camille joined the Board of Directors in March 2021. She also works remotely as a financial planning associate. Camille earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wyoming in 2007. After a number of years in public accounting she decided to return to school and earned her Financial Planning Certificate from Texas A&M University – College Station. Outside of volunteering and working as a financial planner, Camille and her husband are busy raising their 3 boys. As a family they love to travel, play games, explore Wyoming, and attend the boys’ sporting events. Camille is an avid runner and reader.

Carrie Peterson – Treasurer

Carrie was born and raised in Lander. Carrie earned her bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Wyoming in 1988. Since graduating she has lived and worked in various parts of Nevada, Idaho, and most recently Alaska. In June of 2022, Carrie and her husband Todd were excited to return to Lander. Carrie works for Summit West CPA Group. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, building puzzles, cooking, and traveling.

Molly Samietz, Board Member

Molly was born in Florida but raised in California. She recently retired from working as a commercial appraiser for more than 20 years. She and her husband enjoy the outdoors, motorcycle riding, camping, and spending time with their kids and extended family in the area.

Jessica Fuller, Board Member

Jessica was born and raised in North Carolina, and found her way to Lander via working as a field instructor for NOLS. Beginning in 2012, she would make yearly visits to lead backpacking courses in the Wind River Mountains and Utah’s canyonlands, and moved here in a more permanent capacity in 2019. Since then, she has enjoyed getting to know and becoming more involved in the greater Lander community. While volunteering at Food Bank, her favorite food to unbox are the Ramen Noodles.

Clair Smith, Board Member

Clair was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and got her undergraduate and Masters of Education degrees from the University of Virginia. In 2007, after 8 years as an elementary school teacher, she moved to Lander to work full-time for NOLS and she has been here ever since. She loves the Lander community and all the people and opportunities that make Lander so special. When she is not working at NOLS or volunteering around town, Clair can be found rock climbing, mountain biking, walking her dog, and watching ACC basketball.

Becky Larsen, Board Member

Becky was born in Missouri but has lived in Lander for over 40 years. She and her husband have 6 children and 19 grandchildren. Becky has been involved with the Story Hour Players at the library for over 30 years and is currently the director. The Players perform plays twice a year for the school children in Lander and surrounding areas. She also likes to garden and quilt.

Andy Eckart, Board Member

Andy was born in Lansing, Michigan, and moved to Lander around 2006. He works as a self-employed finish carpenter. He has served on charitable boards including Pushroot Community Garden, Wind River Farm to Plate, and Habitat for Humanity. He works so he can play in the mountains from mountain and gravel biking to backpacking.

Ethan Page, Board Member

Ethan grew up raising sheep through 4H, which got him into agriculture and food production from an early age. Through various experiences and jobs in the agriculture industry, Ethan learned that ensuring access to healthy, local food has wide ranging effects on communities. He currently runs the Beginning Farmer Training Program at CWC, where he teaches the skills necessary to establish food and farm businesses in the region in order to provide local food to as many people as possible.

Alan Garms, Board Member

Alan is a licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 45 years in the field primarily serving persons with Intellectual Disabilities. He has been retired since 2018 when he and his wife, Margaret, moved from Texas to Lander. Most of his working life was spent in administrative positions. Alan directed a Unit at a large facility that specialized in providing services to persons with challenging behaviors. He served as the CEO of a large not for profit that served 600 persons with disabilities in day and residential programs. In his most recent position he supervised a team of investigators who looked into abuse, neglect and mistreatment of persons residing in long term care homes. He has served on a number of boards in Texas including The United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, The Texas Association on Intellectual Disabilities and the Private Providers Association of Texas. In lander Alan served on the Lander art Center Board for 4 years. He has been volunteering at the Care and Share Food Bank for the past year and loves the work.