Not all of the people who signed up with Telluride Academy this season are too young to have their driver's license. Emily Dresslar, adult and licensed driver, signed on this spring to steer the organization.

The Telluride Academy hired Emily Dresslar to serve as its new Executive Director, effective immediately. Dresslar will work closely with Finance Director Larry Rosen, who has served as interim director since November 2004, and founder Wendy Brooks as the Academy prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer. Since 1981, the nonprofit Telluride Academy has served thousands of local and visiting children as the region's foremost outdoor adventure program.

"With a bright, new leader, excellent programming and a summer filled with fun plans to celebrate 25 years of adventure, it's an exciting time to be a part of Telluride Academy," said Elaine Demas, president of the board of directors.

Dresslar, a resident of Telluride for the last 10 years, is the former editor of the Telluride Daily Planet. She is originally from the Midwest, with stints in Indianapolis, Grand Rapids and East Lansing.

"It's inescapable that I'm a Midwesterner. At the same time, Telluride is where I really grew up. Ever since I arrived as a new college grad, this has been the community that has supported me, challenged me and let me know when I've made mistakes," said Dresslar.

After several years of pouring coffee and teaching preschool, Dresslar put her journalism degree from Michigan State University to work in the late-1990s as a newspaper reporter covering the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village. She has also been an active volunteer in the community working with organizations like Mountainfilm, the San Miguel Resource Center, KOTO-FM, the Ah Haa School and the Telluride School District. Last winter, Dresslar left the editorship at the Daily Planet to travel and visit friends and family.

"This is definitely a change of pace from the newsroom, but when the opportunity with the Academy arose, I couldn't pass it up. The more I talked to board, staff and community members, the more convinced I was of the fit," said Dresslar. "I have long considered the Academy a great asset to this region, really unique in its ability to draw together a great mix of children - of long-time locals, part-time families and families new to the region or this country."

"The search process for Executive Director drew interest from a large pool of very qualified candidates, and Emily rose to the top," said Demas. "The Academy is very fortunate to have her on board."

As Executive Director, Dresslar is charged with overseeing the organization through management of Academy operations, asset development including donor cultivation and grant seeking, and serving as a community advocate of the organization. Along with Rosen, she joins Program Director Nancy Parkinson and Registrar Kelly Dellinger to round out the Academy's administrative staff.

"Everyone I've met so far is exceptionally dedicated and committed to the success of the next 25 years of this organization," said Dresslar. "The buzz heading into the anniversary summer is really positive and I'm truly happy to be involved."

"It's wonderful when you find a perfect fit for a job description," said founder Wendy Brooks. "Emily is enthusiastic, well known and respected in the community, has special events experience, is an avid outdoors person with interests in the arts, is a world traveler, and lives in town. I am delighted that she accepted the job and that I can pass my mantle to her with such a high degree of confidence."

Headed by Demas, the Telluride Academy board of directors includes Brooks, Wendy Fulton, Telluride Elementary/Intermediate Principal Steve Smith, Sofie Howard, Suzanne Livermore, Amy Peters and Steven B. Smith.

The Telluride Academy is committed to providing challenging outdoor and educational experiences for local and visiting children, regardless of financial backgrounds. The Academy, through its experienced staff and counselors, seeks to form a reliable inner compass within each camper that will guide compassion, critical thinking, responsible choices and environmental stewardship.

In addition to a 25th Anniversary celebration this July, the Telluride Academy has a limited number of openings for summer sessions beginning June 13. As always, tuition assistance is available based on needs. For more information, go to www.tellurideacdemy.com or call 728-5311.