Blackpackers was started in 2019 to address the gap in representation in the outdoors. Patricia, a single mother, struggled with the means and knowledge to take her young son on outdoor adventures. Patricia saved up money working weeks of overtime as an EMT to buy her initial set of backpacking/gear and took herself on her first overnight backpacking trip–alone, and in a snowstorm. Mostly self-taught, she hopes to make it easier for families to access the outdoors by making the initial investment for them.
Executive Team
Patricia Ann Cameron
Executive Director and Founder
Having been born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Patricia moved to Colorado Springs in 1994. Colorado ( and specifically southeastern Colorado Springs) has a special place in her heart and she has devoted all of her energy into making the nationwide hub for the outdoor industry an equal and equitable place for all.
Ms. Cameron spent the 11 years prior to founding Blackpackers in healthcare as an EMT and then as the Practice Manager of multiple clinics in the Colorado Springs and Denver metro area. Further, Ms. Cameron has worked as a volunteer firefighter and in the ICU at Memorial Central–all in positions serving her community. A student of philosophy from UCCS she also has a degree from PPCC for Emergency Medical Services.
She is a freelance writer and photographer, her work appearing in Backpacker Magazine, The Denver Post, Elevation Outdoors, The Colorado Sun, Sensi Magazine, The Voice, and others. A single homeschooling mother of an amazing teenage boy, Patricia balances home life with leading the Blackpackers Board of Directors.
Patricia is a 2020 fellow and on the board of the New Leaders Council, a nationwide nonprofit that trains and supports progressive leadership and millennial entrepreneurs (newleaderscouncil.org). In the summer of 2020, Patricia successfully hiked the entire 486 mile Colorado Trail while writing a trail diary for Backpacker Magazine.
Catch Patricia leading any one of Blackpackers events or reach out to her at [email protected].
Rickey Frierson
Board President
Dr. Rickey Frierson has spent the last thirteen years presenting internationally and domestically on issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion, and underrepresented student success within higher education. Dr. Frierson is an inspirational speaker for high schools, colleges, and community organizations. Dr. Frierson is the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Student Success for Colorado State University. His research interest centers on institutional accountability and effectiveness in student success and completion at predominantly white public institutions. More succinctly, Dr. Frierson takes pride in assisting administrators, superintendents, principals, professors, teachers, counselors, and institutions in examining proactive strategies to create efficient and fruitful educational experiences for their diverse students, staff, and faculty. Dr. Frierson has published articles, submitted book reviews, and has written book contributions that all stem around efficiencies of education.
Rickey says “I subscribe to the belief that every individual and organization can be successful when an inclusive vision, a common goal and a united purpose is established. Because of this, I have dedicated my professional and academic studies to assist and train education leaders and institutions in examining proactive strategies to create efficient and fruitful educational experiences for their diverse students, staff, and faculty.”
Rickey has a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Houston. A Masters in Organization Development from Friends University; BS in Business Management and a Minor in Leadership Studies and Programs from Kansas State University. He also holds a Civic Leadership Development certificate from the Kansas Leadership Center and a diversity certification from Sedgwick County Social Services.
Michael Kruger
Board Secretary
Mike Kruger has served as the President and CEO of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association since October 2018. Previously, he was the Director of Communications for the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) in Washington, DC. Prior to joining SEPA, Kruger was the Deputy Director of Communications for the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Obama Administration. When he’s not explaining the wonders of the electric grid, you can find him watching baseball or exploring Colorado’s amazing and diverse landscape.
Becky Doyle
Board Treasurer
Becky Doyle, resident math nerd, spends her personal and professional lives doing spreadsheets for the people. She is a finance and analytics professional in local government, working to improve government services through better use of data and technology. She enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her spouse and two children, reading science fiction, and making music.
Board of Directors
Kyle Fulmer
Director
Kyle Fulmer is the Director of Operations at RovR Products, based in Niwot, Colorado. Kyle has been in distribution and logistics management for over a decade, and is a graduate of Colorado State University.
An avid outdoorsperson, Kyle can most often be found running trails, or backpacking around the American West.
