The Executive Director of Chehaw thinks the beloved park needs a transformation and will do what it takes to make sure the organization runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

“This particular moment in time is the perfect time to accomplish it,” says Don Meeks, who has been either a contracter or manager at Chehaw in Albany since 2009. Raised in Montana and “whatever mining town my father was assigned to,” he grew up with a mix of mining town rough and farm and ranch stubborn independence, he says.

“I have a tendency to be the guy that says the thing nobody wants to hear… out loud.”

A poker player, renewed golfer, motorcycle rider, and lover of comedy, Don above all takes pride in his family. He has two sons, two stepdaughters, and three stepsons – all good, upstanding, contributing citizens, he says.

With degrees in land management from the University of Nevada, he has “owned and gone broke” on two ranch efforts, owned a successful construction business, and was a travelling contractor for quite some time  aka his “gentleman vagabond” years.

He wants to be known, and remembered, as a problem solver with an ability to get at the heart of a problem and start the process to resolution.

“Straight forward, honest, and reliable,” he says . “I am the guy you call.”