2026 Board of Directors
Kim Bright – President
Kim Bright was born and raised on a farm in Indiana, where he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for rural life. When the midwest started feeling crowded, he headed west in search of open spaces.
He served his country in the United States Air Force, including four years stationed in Cheyenne, where he developed a lasting connection to Wyoming.
Following his military service, Kim put down roots in Sublette County, purchasing and operating a guest ranch in Boulder, Wyoming, which he successfully ran for 24 years. He went on to continue his work in the ranching industry as a ranch manager for an additional 14 years, building a lifetime of experience in land stewardship, and western living.
Outside of his professional life, Kim enjoys woodworking and spending time with his family. He and his wife have two daughters and nine grandchildren. A cowboy at heart, Kim values hard work, family, and the simple rewards of a life spent close to the land.
Brenda Baker – Vice President
Brenda Baker, Ph.D., is a scientist, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner with a distinguished career in biochemistry and higher education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Gannon University, followed by a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Colorado State University.
Brenda has held academic appointments across the country, including serving as a lecturer at Larimer Community College, Assistant Professor at Colorado State University–Pueblo, and Associate Professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she contributed to both teaching and research in the field of biochemistry.
She is the founder of Baker Wine & Grape Analysis, a respected laboratory established in California’s Central Coast wine region. Founded in 2002, the lab provides advanced chemical and microbial analysis services for winemakers, brewers, distillers, and olive oil producers nationwide, with a reputation for accuracy, efficiency, and exceptional client service.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is an avid lifelong learner with a wide range of interests. She is especially passionate about hiking, horses, dogs, and cultivating the natural world around her. She is supported in all her endeavors by her husband, Tony, whom she considers her greatest champion.
Dan Tau – Treasurer
Daniel Tau brings a lifelong passion for the arts and a diverse professional background to his community involvement. Raised in Pennsylvania, he was actively engaged in band, chorus, and theater throughout his youth, later continuing his involvement in both community and professional theater in Pennsylvania and Florida. His experience spans both on-stage performance and behind-the-scenes roles, including stage management and costume work.
Over the past four decades, Dan has also been an active musician, playing drums and mandolin with worship teams in communities from Florida to Wyoming. Dan is also an ordained minister of the gospel.
Since relocating to Wyoming in 2002, Dan has remained committed to community service, including his role on the board of the Mountain Man Museum. His professional career reflects a strong focus on service and relationship-building, with experience ranging from owning and operating a campground and RV park, to managing a restaurant, to serving as a bank branch manager. He now works with businesses nationwide through his company, Heart First Sales Retention, helping organizations strengthen client relationships and improve retention.
Dan is currently authoring a book reflecting on a life-altering head-on collision nearly three decades ago, a journey that included significant personal loss and recovery, and ultimately led to a renewed commitment to serving others.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy traveling and exploring new destinations, with a particular appreciation for visiting national parks.
Lana Koppenhafer – Secretary
Dave Bell
Kimberly Ervin
Jay Fear
Jay Fear was born in Jackson, Wyoming, and raised on his family’s ranch south of Daniel. After graduating from Big Piney High School, he attended Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs and later the University of Wyoming.
Following college, Jay returned home to partner with his parents in running the family ranch. In 2001, he stepped away to pursue a full-time career in real estate and to spend more time watching his daughters grow into young ladies. In 2007, he opened his own brokerage, which he continues to operate today.
Jay has always valued being involved in his community and has served on a number of boards over the years. He currently serves on the Sublette County Historical Society Board and the Wyoming Real Estate Commission.
He enjoys spending time outdoors and taking advantage of all Wyoming has to offer. Jay looks forward to slowing down a bit, spending time with grandchildren, and doing some traveling.
Ken Marincic
Ken Marincic is a fourth-generation Pinedale native with deep roots in the community and a longstanding appreciation for its heritage. His interest in Mountain Man culture began at a young age through his participation in the annual Rendezvous, an experience that sparked a lasting connection to the traditions the Museum seeks to preserve. The horse in this picture, Ol’ Killer, carried him in over 20 Rendezvous pageants.
Ken previously served on the Museum Board from 2015 to 2024, contributing nearly a decade of leadership and service. Following a required term break, he rejoined the Board in 2026, motivated by a strong commitment to the Museum’s planned expansion and future growth.
His dedication to the Museum reflects a proud family legacy. Ken’s father, Phil Marincic Jr., served on the Board in the 1970s and was part of the original team involved in the Museum’s construction. There is a picture from 1974 of his Dad standing by a trackhoe before construction starts. Today, Ken is honored to continue that legacy and contribute to the next chapter of the institution’s development.
Professionally and personally, Ken values community, family, and service. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. He enjoys spending time outdoors and is guided by a strong personal faith that shapes his values and commitment to others.
Kaidi Raney
Kaidi Raney is a lifelong resident of Pinedale who has witnessed and contributed to the community’s growth and evolution over the years. As the youngest of seven siblings raised in Pinedale, she brings a deep-rooted connection and commitment to the area.
Kaidi has served as the Community Education Coordinator at Sublette BOCES for the past 13 years, where she leads the development and implementation of diverse youth and adult enrichment programs. Through this role, she maintains strong community partnerships and supports initiatives that enhance quality of life across Sublette County.
She is the proud mother of two sons, Conor and Caleb, and values the opportunity to explore and experience the region’s abundant outdoor recreational offerings with them.
In her service on the Museum Board, Kaidi is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Sublette County. She is committed to advancing the organization’s vision by supporting efforts to expand storytelling, strengthen community engagement, and ensure the region’s heritage is preserved for future generations.
2025 Board of Directors
Jerry Boyer – President
Kim Bright – Vice President
Dan Tau – Treasurer
Kaidi Raney – Secretary
Dave Bell
Kimberly Ervin
Brenda Baker
Lana Koppenhafer
Jay Fear