Who We Are

Photo Credit: Matt Leidecker

Who is the Sawtooth Society?

We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). We work alongside national, regional, and local organizations and governments to protect the values of the SNRA. Additionally, we partner with dozens of nonprofits that work towards preserving, protecting, and enhancing the public lands that we recreate on, hunt, and call home.

Sawtooth Society Organizational Case Statement

History & Mission

Organization & Management

All Form 990's

Funding

Staff

Mike Hoover

Acting Executive Director

Email: mike@sawtoothsociety.org

Phone: 208.481.9675

Mike joined the Sawtooth Society as the Director of Operations in the spring of 2024. He has always enjoyed the outdoors, with a passion for community, nonprofits, and the outdoors.

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mike graduated from Central Michigan University and moved to Sun Valley, having never even stepped foot in Idaho before. He began his career at Sun Valley Resort in the Catering and Convention Services Department. From there, he was brought on as the first staff member of The Argyros Performing Artc Center, an under-construction state of the art venue in the heart of Ketchum. There, as the Director of Operations, he oversaw over 2,000 events and helped raise over $15m for other nonprofits in the valley. Mike joined the Sawtooth Society as the Director of Operations in the spring of 2024. He has always enjoyed the outdoors, with a passion for community, nonprofits, and the outdoors.

In the Spring of 2026, Mike stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director and is looking forward to expanding the Sawtooth Society’s role in Preserving, Protecting, and Enhancing the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

In his spare time, you can find Mike on the hundreds of premium unpaved roads riding his gravel bike, hiking the Sawtooths, playing hockey, curling, or skate skiing with his partner Sarah and border collie Betty on the groomed SNRA trails!

Michael Coiner

Operations Coordinator

Email: michael.coiner@sawtoothsociety.org

Phone: 208.721.1495

Michael became part of the Sawtooth Society team in the spring of 2026 as Operations Coordinator. Having been born and raised in Ketchum, Michael has a strong love for her community and the gorgeous scenery that surrounds it.

Michael has dipped her toes in multiple sectors, both domestically and internationally. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications and PR, she has held various roles in the education, hospitality, and outdoor industries. Some of Michael’s former employers include Sun Valley Company, Swansea University, Arena North America, Icebreaker and Nike. Most recently, Michael spent nearly four years living and working in South Wales in the United Kingdom. While there, she discovered her love for exploring new places, traveling to 21 countries and over 100 different cities and towns across Europe.

Now back on home turf, Michael is thrilled to do her part to preserve, protect, and enhance all the beautiful things the SNRA has to offer.

In her free time, you can normally find Michael hiking, skiing, swimming, or playing with her dog Orlie. She maintains that, “life is too short to stay inside.”

Melinda Markin

SVWFC Project Coordinator

Email: ProjectCoordinator@sawtoothsociety.org

With an extensive background in conservation, Melinda brings a decade of expertise in fire ecology and project management. She is leading the growth of the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative through workshops, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.