Meet the OJT Team

Wade Buchanan
Director
wade.buchanan@state.co.us

Wade Buchanan is the Director of the Colorado Office of Just Transition, the first state-level office in the nation dedicated to helping coal communities and workers transition to prosperous futures after the closure of the coal facilities upon which they depend. 

Wade has had an extensive career in state public policy, serving three Colorado governors in a variety of senior positions, including policy director, speech writer, director of the state energy office, chair of the lead air quality planning agency for the Denver Metropolitan area, and acting Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. For 15 years he was president of the Bell Policy Center, a non-profit organization he led from start-up to become one of Colorado’s premier public policy think tanks. 

Wade is a fourth-generation Coloradan with a BA in History from Colorado College in Colorado Springs and an MPhil in International Relations from Oxford University in England, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

Terri Livermore
Policy and Engagement Manager
terri.livermore@state.co.us

Terri is the Policy and Engagement Manager at the CO Office of Just Transition where she works with local, state, and federal partners on public policy and regulatory issues, and office communications. Previously, Terri was the executive and policy directors of Nourish Colorado, a  food system change organization, and also spent over two decades lobbying the state legislature. Terri was born and raised in Gunnison Colorado and received her BA from Colorado College. When not working, she can be found cycling with her husband Michael, reading, or playing with their two dogs, Loki and Teller. 

Lynn Figone
Coal Transition Navigator
lynn.figone@state.co.us

Lynn Figone works directly with transition workers to connect them with the resources they need. 

Born and raised in the Wine Country of Northern California, Lynn is no stranger to the changing landscapes of small rural communities and the challenges they face when a long-time industry closes. Much of her working career was spent in different facets of Agriculture from legislative to water & land use issues with a focus on advocating for support & resources on all levels. After many years of advocacy work, holding numerous State & National organization offices, Lynn retired and moved from California to Colorado.  For the past 8 years, she has resided in Moffat County with her better half, where they raise artisan cattle and bucking bulls. 

Cassie Mason
Program and Operations Coordinator
cassie.mason@state.co.us

Cassie Mason manages OJT's Community Assistance Grant program, grant-writing assistance program, the STEP and Initiative, in addition to coordinating the general operations of the Office.

Prior to joining the OJT team, Cassie most recently served as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Gunnison and as Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at Western Colorado University. Cassie holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a BA in International Studies from Colby College in Maine.

Kirstie McPherson
Community and Economic Development Manager
kirstie.mcpherson@state.co.us

Kirstie McPherson is a Behavioral Economist whose research has focused on economic development. Her professional interests include rural economic development, industry transition, workforce mobility, community supported enterprise, human centered design, and strategies that support each. Kirstie's primary focus is transitioning economies, such as coal reliant communities and other one industry communities, in working with their redevelopment strategies and communication program.  

Kirstie also owns and operates local and expanding businesses 518 Wine Bar in Craig, CO and The Find, Co. in Craig and Loveland, CO. These businesses serve to attest to the importance of downtown revitalization and entrepreneurship in which she brings her insight to each community that she works in.

Shelley Siman
Workforce Manager
shelley.siman@state.co.us

Shelley Siman manages OJT's program to connect transitioning workers with resources and services. Shelley has worked in state and local government for the past eighteen years, serving in the following capacities: research and evaluation, direct client services, project management, leadership consulting, program implementation, advancing equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, training, and coaching. She has helped launch several public safety initiatives including rapid rehousing for people exiting prison, case management strategies in prison facilities, problem-solving courts, jail-based mental health programs and jail to community reentry models. Shelley has a BA in Art and Psychology and completed her MA in International Human Rights and a Certificate in Global Health Affairs from the University of Denver.