Tom Spezze

Tom joined NWTF in the fall of 2015 and has served in several leadership roles during that time. In his current position, Tom is responsible for leading a team of Directors of Conservation Operations, District Biologists, Foresters and Western Water Specialist in delivering NWTF’s mission with a focus on Shared Stewardship, healthy forests and watersheds. In addition, Tom and his team are the lead for state-level Government Affairs issues and partner closely with Federal and State agencies, other NGOs and private landowners. Tom is currently serving his second term as a Governor appointee on the CO Forest Health Advisory Council representing Wildlife interests and is the co-chair on the national Making Tracks Steering Committee with the USDA Forest Service.

Prior to coming to the NWTF, Tom served as the Executive Director of RWEACT (Rio Grande Watershed Emergency Action Coordination Team) for post-wildfire mitigation, Coordinator of the Coalition of 10 Boards of County Commissioners on Endangered Species issues and as Senior Consultant for DiNatale Water Consultants on high profile water projects. Prior to this and for most of his professional career, Tom enjoyed a 31-year career with Colorado Parks and Wildlife serving at many levels in wildlife management and enforcement, retiring in 2012 as the SW Regional Manager.

Tom has a Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Biology degree from Colorado State University.