Our Team
Current Board of Directors
President - Dean Faust
Dean is an attorney, and has practiced law in Rapid City, SD for the past 20 years. Dean received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Philosophy, Master of Arts degree in Government, and JD degree from University of South Dakota. In his spare time Dean enjoys cave exploration and mapping, photography, and hiking.
Vice President -Adam Weaver
Adam is a project caver, focusing on many of the large projects in the western United States. He is an expedition leader in both Jewel and Wind Caves, with substantial work in Lechuguilla and Ft. Stanton caves, among others. He is currently the Administrative Vice President of the National Speleological Society (NSS), and is the Vice-Chairman of the Paha Sapa Grotto. Professionally, Adam works as a hydrologist and cartographer, and he holds an M.S. in Natural Resource Stewardship from Colorado State University.
Secretary/Treasurer - Rene Ohms
Rene is a fellow of the National Speleological Society, and has been an active expedition caver for more than 20 years. In 2020, she received the NSS Lew Bicking Award, the top award for cave exploration in the United States. She is a National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) instructor, and has served on the American Caving Accidents review committee. Rene graduated from the University of Arizona in 1997 with a degree in Biology. She has organized several cave restoration and research projects, and works professionally in public land management.
Dr. Hazel Barton
Dr. Barton is Professor and Director of the Integrated Bioscience PhD program at the
University of Akron. Her research is geared toward understanding microbial interactions
and adaptations to starvation in cave environments, which has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and National Park Service. An international cave explorer, Dr. Barton began caving in 1986, and is currently active in Wind and Lechuguilla Caves. She is a well-known cave cartographer, having mapped in over 100 caves, and has led large-scale projects in more than 20 cave systems. In 2020, Dr. Barton received the NSS Science Award for her outstanding dedication to the scientific study of caves.
Dave Springhetti
Dave has been a cave explorer since the 1970s, is a life member of the NSS, and was a long-time officer of the Paha Sapa Grotto. His relationships with cavers and landowners alike have been the lifeblood of the BHCNC. Among his many caving feats, he was instrumental in the exploration of Great Expectations Cave in Wyoming, as well as its eventual inclusion as an NSS Nature Preserve.
Ken Steinken
Ken is a retired teacher and long-term director of the Trinity Eco-Prayer Park in downtown Rapid City. He has been caving for over 20 years, and led cave tours professionally at Jewel Cave for many seasons. Ken serves as BHCNC’s Preserve Vision Coordinator, and is responsible for guiding us forward toward new projects and planning our fundraising efforts.
Sammi Langendorf
Sammi has been a Black Hills caver and explorer for many years, and a long term member of the Paha Sapa Grotto. Professionally, she is the comptroller at Black Hills Electric Cooperative. Sammi is known for her ability to fit through tight spaces underground, and her dedication to sharing the mystery and beauty of caves with others.