Our dedicated board, alongside a team of supporters, strives to preserve the Sonoran Desert for the future Carefree Park. For details on our goals and strategy, please refer to our Strategic Plan
Wendy Mattes, President
Wendy Mattes brings a lifelong commitment to land stewardship, community service, and leadership to her role as President of Carefree Park. She holds a B.S. degree in Animal Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and began her career working with horses in the Thoroughbred racing industry. She later managed a large young-horse training program in Virginia before returning to California, where she founded and led an executive search consulting firm in the high-technology sector for more than 21 years.
Following a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, Wendy shifted her focus to service and community impact, founding Jasper Ridge Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing therapeutic animal-assisted programs to vulnerable children and military Veterans. Under her leadership, the organization grew to serve over 3,000 individuals annually, and she successfully led a capital campaign to expand its facilities. Wendy previously served on its board and continues to support grant-writing efforts.
Now based in Carefree, Arizona, Wendy is deeply committed to preserving the Upper Sonoran Desert and protecting open space for future generations. She lives with her Marine Corps veteran husband and enjoys hiking and horseback riding throughout the Sonoran Desert.
“Protecting open space is a shared responsibility—and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
Ariane Buser, Vice President
Ariane Buser has a 25-year career in Information Technology. She has been involved with Carefree Park’s mission for four years. She is a true believer of preserving and protecting the beautiful Sonoran Desert from over-development. Ariane is an avid outdoor enthusiast and passionate advocate for environmental stewardship. Always eager to explore a new trail or outdoor adventure, Ariane believes that access to nature is essential to individual well-being and community connection. Her dedication to preserving the 48 acres designated for Carefree Park is rooted in the belief that everyone in Carefree should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the area’s natural landscape.
As Vice President, Ariane is committed to protecting this land for recreation, education, and future generations. She lives in Carefree with her husband.
“Everyone in Carefree deserves the chance to experience and enjoy our natural landscape.”
Janice Castro, Secretary
Janice Castro brings a strong background in wildlife science, conservation, and education to her role as Secretary of Carefree Park. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management from Kansas State University, where her graduate research focused on native Kansas songbird species.
Janice began her career as a bird keeper at the Tulsa Zoo, an experience that deepened her commitment to wildlife stewardship. She later spent more than 20 years as a science content editor, creating and managing science assessment programs for Harcourt Educational Measurement, Pearson, and Data Recognition Corporation. Since retiring in 2018, Janice has remained actively engaged in conservation as a volunteer at the Phoenix Zoo.
Her scientific training and lifelong passion for birds and habitat preservation inform her dedication to protecting the 48 acres designated for Carefree Park. Janice believes safeguarding this land is essential to preserving wildlife habitat, open space, and opportunities for education and connection with nature for future generations.
“Safeguarding this land protects wildlife habitat and opportunities to connect with nature.”
Jo Gemmill,
Board Member at Large
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jo Gemmill brought her passion for hospitality and community-building to Carefree when she founded the English Rose Tea Room in the heart of town, now celebrating more than 24 years in business.
During her time in Carefree, Jo has owned and operated additional local businesses, including English Rose Accents and Jo London, and founded an etiquette school. She has also been deeply involved in community leadership, serving as Chair of the Carefree Christmas Festival for 10 years and as a board member of several nonprofit organizations, including Desert Foothills Theater, the Carefree Chamber of Commerce—where she also served as Chair—and the Desert Foothills Library.
Jo is honored to serve on the Board of Carefree Park and is deeply committed to preserving open space in the community. Having witnessed significant development in Carefree over the past two decades, she believes the time is now to protect a meaningful piece of land for future generations. Jo is passionate about ensuring that Carefree Park remains a place where residents and visitors can connect with the desert landscape that makes Carefree unique.
“Now is the time to preserve a piece of Carefree to pass on to future generations.”
Gene Ullrich, Director of Communication
Gene Ullrich brings more than 40 years of communications expertise to Carefree Park, with a proven track record in marketing, public relations, reputation management, and strategic storytelling. He has spent over 15 years as Senior Vice President at TagTeam Global™, providing marketing communications and public relations counsel to clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies.
Gene’s background includes eight years as Vice President of Communications for GE Money –Americas, where he led all internal and external communications for a global credit services organization serving more than 50 million customers and 18,000 employees across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Earlier in his career, he spent 18 years in television news as a producer and reporter, working at top-rated stations including Disney-owned ABC7 (WLS-TV) in Chicago, as well as ABC and CBS affiliates in Phoenix, Wichita, and Champaign.
He has received numerous honors for excellence, including more than a dozen GE awards, three Telly Awards for Creative Excellence, and recognition as an award-winning documentary producer and Emmy-nominated newscast producer. Gene holds a B.S. in Mass Communication with a minor in Public Relations from Illinois State University.
As Director of Communication, Gene plays a key role in advancing Carefree Park’s mission to protect the 48-acre parcel of land through clear messaging, community engagement, and public awareness—helping ensure this open space is preserved for future generations. Gene lives with his wife in Carefree and splits his time between Carefree, Arizona, and Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
“Clear messaging and community engagement are key to protecting this open land for generations to come.”
Moira Fahey, Treasurer (Non-Board Member)
Moira Fahey brings a long and accomplished career in financial services to her role as Treasurer for Carefree Park, with extensive experience in relationship management, finance, and process and project management. She spent 28 years at a Midwest regional bank, followed by 10 years as a partner in a wealth management firm, where she managed the firm’s financials and reporting in her final years. Moira also has significant experience in human resources, training, recruiting, and coaching, and continues to stay engaged through freelance bookkeeping work. She serves as Treasurer for both Carefree Park and a homeowners association in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and is President of a condominium association in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
Moira holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana.
A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Moira enjoys trail rides and hiking with her two golden retrievers. She is deeply committed to preserving open land and ensuring that Carefree Park remains a place where residents and visitors can connect with nature. Moira lives in Carefree, Arizona, and splits her time between Carefree and Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
“Trail rides, hikes, and open land are essential to the Carefree lifestyle we want to preserve.”