J R Ford was appointed by Archuleta County, and has served on the board since 2008.  He is currently involved in real estate investments and land management.  Mr. Ford moved to Pagosa Springs in 1983 and since then has been building residential and commercial buildings.  His company specializes in ranch management.  He participates in running cattle, sheep and goats on his ranches.

In 1990, his firm developed Hidden Valley Lake and gave him experience in perfecting water rights after obtaining water storage rights in excess of 900 acre-feet.  He oversaw the design, construction, and the permitting process for the dam through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the State of Colorado.