Leadership in Motion

Andrew J Brookhart (Drew) is the Executive Director of Gunnison County Library District with libraries in Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado. He has previously served as the Director of Columbus Public Library in Columbus, Nebraska and as a Reference Librarian at Pitkin County Library in Aspen, Colorado. In addition to all things public libraries: Drew has deep experience with capital projects from beginning to end, library design, change management, strategic planning, public finance, policy development, elections, and capital campaigns. Drew earned an M.L.I.S degree from the University of Denver's Moridge College of Education in 2011. 

Dustin Fife is the College Librarian at Colorado College. He has also served as the Library Director at Western Colorado University and for San Juan County Public Libraries in Southeastern Utah. Dustin served as the president of the Utah Library Association, was a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and is currently the special editor of a column in College & Research Libraries News called Academic Library Workers in Conversation. He also currently serves on the CLiC board and Alliance member council and board.

Kieran Hixon is a rural library expert with broad and varied experience working in small & rural public libraries. Kieran currently serves as the Colorado State Library's Rural and Small Library Senior Consultant. Based in Wetmore, Colorado, Kieran is the former President of the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and is a member of the Collaborative Institute for Rural Communities & Librarianship think tank. He is also the co-creator of the Outstanding in Their Field Leadership Institute. Kieran is an engaging public speaker with a passion for helping individuals strengthen what they do to meet the needs of their communities. Besides a long career in public libraries, Kieran built his own house, walked across the country, worked with the elderly and dying, and learned blacksmithing. 

Adam Murray completed his MLIS at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and his doctoral degree at Western Kentucky University.  Adam served as an academic library dean for a decade before joining Marmot as the Executive Director in 2018.  As an academic librarian, his research focus was on methods of calculating and demonstrating the value of academic libraries to university administrators.  His research and publications can be viewed via his ORCid.  

Erin Owen is a dedicated library professional serving as the Community Engagement & Support Specialist at Louisville Public Library since 2018. A Colorado native, Erin began her career at Anythink Libraries before finding her home at the Louisville Public Library. Her passion for library advocacy led to involvement in the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL), where she served as the 2023 CALCON Co-Chair, and was the Chair of the CALCON planning committee in 2024. Through these roles, Erin has demonstrated strong leadership skills while fostering meaningful connections with colleagues across Colorado.