I am a single mom of a 20 and 22 year old. A boy named Jacob and a daughter named Hailey. I also have a Griffon named Whidbey and a Labradoodle named Max. I am a widow of five years and have started a new chapter dedicated to living life to the fullest and squeezing every last drop out of life. This includes falling in love with my soul mate, John Sage and moving to Carter Lake in 2020. My circle of friends say I’m tireless, but that is because I have been given the gift of caregiving for a soul mate who never gave up and taught me an immense amount about how to live in spite of dying. Here are some strange facts about me that you would never know. I am a jigsaw puzzle guru and often can be seen at my dining room table late at night to get that last piece. I love Disneyland and have been over 20 times. I also went to CSU on a scholarship for classical violin. I was raised by a dad who was a music savant and has 2 of his bands in the Iowa rock and roll hall of fame playing with the Hollies and Crosby Stills and Nash. Finally, my former husband was the personal chef for Don Johnson in Aspen so I have plenty of funny stories to share during this part of my life.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I live with my boyfriend John and between us we share 6 children ages 18-23. As if that wasn’t enough fun, we added two puppies to our household in this last year. We bought our dream house up above Carter Lake and are avid boaters and hikers.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been the Economic Development Director for the City of Loveland for 5 years. In this role I oversee the business development and tourism components of the City. My primary functions include corporate relations and retention, expansion and attraction assistance to industry. Previous to this, I was the Executive Director of the Warehouse Business Accelerator, Vice President of Northern Colorado Economic Development, Director of Corporate Solutions at Front Range CC, Chief Operating Officer for the Innosphere, Policy and Project Manager for the City of Fort Collins, Greeley’s first Economic Development Manager as well as 7 years in the capacity of Executive Director of the Loveland Center for Business Development. I have had an active civic background with former and current board and committee roles in over 20 different organizations. I was recognized by Bizwest in the first class of the Top 40 business people under the age of 40 making a difference in Northern CO in 2004 and a nominee for Larimer County Women of Distinction in 2011. I was awarded the Colorado Women of Vision and last year was nominated by my peers as the Executive Team leader of the year at the City. I love bringing jobs to citizens to improve their lives for their family and the community.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Chop House, Door 222
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 1986.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Doug Rutledge – an owner of KL&A, Inc.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Tahiti – peaceful rest, sound of water.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movie: About Time. TV Shows: Project Runway, 60 Minutes
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t listen to the negative conspiracy theorists on social media.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Retire with a large boat and travel from marina to marina meeting new people along the way.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Vampire Weekend or Beatles.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Hewlett Packard.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Paul McCartney – my deck at home overlooking the lake.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The love of LOVE. Stamping Valentines, love locks, hearts around town.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Retired on a boat traveling from marina to marina.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
See bio above – I have met over 50 movie/TV stars and partied with Hunter S Thompson, Don Johnson and Dakota Johnson one 4th of July at Don’s house.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Santorini, Greece
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Month: March
Holiday: Halloween
Day: March 18 (bday)
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My new puppy Max.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My boyfriend John. He’s an angel on earth.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lavender and Lilacs
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Quiet, Heaven and water