One of the most important positions in FOSM is that of leading a weekly work crew. These dedicated individuals plan and schedule the work, coordinate the work with the appropriate Sandia Ranger District personnel, make sure the work is done safely, then publish a descriptive report after each project.
You can learn more about the activities of a crew by clicking on the link beside the name of the crew leader.
Bob Lowder – Trail Maintenance Crew (Mondays)
Bob is a life-long resident of Albuquerque and grew up in the North Valley. He is a graduate of Valley High School, the University of New Mexico and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972. He is a Vietnam veteran. After his discharge from the service was employed by the New Mexico Human Services Department where he retired as Field Operations Manager in 1998 after a career lasting over 26 years. Bob has always enjoyed participating in various outdoor activities and retirement gave him more time for this purpose. He and his wife Sally enjoyed hiking in the Sandias and would often carry a bag to pick up litter along the trails. One day while hiking Domingo Baca Trail, a couple who had seen them doing that on numerous hikes there, suggested they become official Sandia District Volunteers. A Friends of the Sandia Mountains (FOSM) member gave a presentation about the organization at the USFS volunteer orientation and both Bob and Sally signed up. After joining FOSM in 2000, Bob served as a Board Member and as President from 2004 to 2020. He has USFS certifications to operate chainsaws and crosscut saws on the District. Bob currently serves as FOSM Trails Maintenance Crew Leader and FOSM Email Systems Administrator.
Byron Garner – Trail Maintenance Crew (Mondays), Alternate Leader
Bob and his wife Sally enjoy the great outdoors hunting and fishing several times a year. During his absence, Byron Garner very capably fills in as leader of the Monday crew.
Byron moved to New Mexico from Memphis in 1988 to continue a 40-year career in Allied Health and has been hiking, fishing, CC skiing and exploring the Southwest ever since. After retirement in 2015 from UNMH, he was introduced to FOSM and began volunteering for trail-maintenance projects. Additional volunteer work has been doing trail maintenance for the New Mexico Cross Country Ski Club In the Jemez since joining them in 1989. When not on the trail, he can be found pursuing other interests, which include reading, cooking, travel, guitar, and a life-long fascination with railroads.
Sam Beard – Paint and Graffiti Removal Crew (Tuesdays); General Projects Crew (Wednesdays)
After high school, Sam joined the USAF and trained as a Russian linguist in Texas and Monterey, CA. Stationed in England near London three years. Earned degrees in physics from Mars Hill Junior College and N. C. State University. Retired in 2003 from Sandia National Laboratories after 37 years in the Aerothermodynamics Group. Moved to Albuquerque with Edwina in 1965. Developed an interest in cross country skiing and published a trail guide in 1979 with a second edition in 1988. Began developing ski trails on the Sandia Ranger District as a volunteer in 1970. Was a founding member of the N. M. Cross Country Ski Club, N. M. Volunteers for the Outdoors, and Friends of the Sandia Mountains.
Laura Leon – Trail Construction Crew (Thursdays)
Since retiring in 2023, Laura has taken on several volunteer opportunities which include helping at Road Runner Food Bank, Compassuss Hospice, Saranam, NMVFO, City Open Spaces and of course, FOSM activities and organizing the Thursday crew each week. She loves being out every week in the mountains but does occasionally miss the beach and satisfies that with some travel.
Laura Leon grew up in Southern Wisconsin and after graduating from Drake University in Iowa with a medical technology degree, she headed to Corpus Christi, Texas to play on the beach for a couple of years. Thirty years passed which included a marriage to Landy, an elementary school teaching certification and teaching career, raising 2 sons and quite a bit of playing on the beach and sailing. Laura and Landy left Texas for Albuquerque in 2010. She received a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and became a children’s librarian at Cherry Hills Public Library where she stayed for 12 years until retiring from all things involving lesson plans and cutting out crafting materials.
We thank you for your service!