Board of Directors and Committees
Operating under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors, our Chamber carries out a number of programs, all designed to encourage business commerce, support economic development, provide valuable small business education, promote Lone Tree's Businesses, and encourage great community relations. Browse this page for information on the Board members and to learn about our Chamber committees.
Please utilize the Member Directory to locate any of these individuals you may wish to contact directly with any Chamber questions or if you wish to get more involved in the program and event committees
We like to hear from those we serve!
The Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2011
CHAIR - Sheila Willson (Massman Agency, Farmers Insurance)
Sheila Willson (formally Massman) moved to the Lone Tree community sixteen years ago. During this time she served for eleven years on the Board of Directors for Taos of Lone Tree, retiring after serving as President for the last three years. She continues to sponsor and cater the annual Block Party for the Taos community. She also served on the Board of Directors for her prior community for twelve years, again as President for three years. She’s very comfortable with committee work and has the time to commit to the Chamber. Sheila started her Farmers Insurance agency in 1983 after serving four years with the United States Air Force. With the growth of her business the office staffing has also increased, allowing her more time to be involved with the Chamber. Lone Tree is a wonderful place to call home and Sheila looks forward to taking a more active role in the continued growth of the chamber and our city.
CHAIR-ELECT - Mark Merritt (Valor Security / Park Meadows Shopping Center)
Mark Merritt has served on the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since June, 2009. He is the Director of Public Safety at Park Meadows, a position he has held since January, 2009.
Before settling in Colorado in 2001, Mark was an attorney in Illinois for 25 years. He was a partner in a four attorney firm where he specialized in civil trial work. Mark has always been very active in civic affairs, believing strongly in the obligation to give back to your community. While in Illinois Mark was on the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Board for 8 years, serving as its President for one year and advisor to the Board for 4 years. He was also one of the founding members of a community development corporation dedicated to the revitalization of a deteriorating and aging downtown area and served on its Board for 10 years and acted as its President for 6 years. Mark was also active in community education, serving on two different School Boards of Education for a total of 15 years and as Board President for 9 of those years.
Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Illinois, College of Law.
Mark and his wife Debra live in Highlands Ranch. They have five children and nine grandchildren.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Ronald Stowell (Stowell, PC)
Ron Stowell is the owner of Stowell PC Attorneys at Law, which specializes in family law matters. Ron's area of expertise is in interstate and international child custody disputes. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado, the U. S. District Court, the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Since 1995, he has been a member of the Douglas and Arapahoe County Bar Associations, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyer's Association, and the American Bar Association. More information regarding Ron's law practice is available on his web site at www.stowellpc.com. A Colorado native, Ron raised four children with his wife, Debbie. They now have six grandchildren. After high school, Ron served in the United States Army as an infantry soldier from 1967 through 1974 and received many decorations including the purple heart with first oak leaf cluster, combat infantryman's badge, and two presidential citations. Following his military service, Ron graduated magna cum laude from Colorado State University with a bachelor's degree in construction management, magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a master's degree in business administration, and with honors from the University of Denver with a doctorate of law degree. After a successful 20-year career in real estate development and construction management, Ron founded Stowell PC in 1995 and moved the firm from Highlands Ranch to Lone Tree in 1999. Having served the community in many volunteer capacities, Ron is excited about the newly formed Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity to serve on its board of directors. He will bring considerable business and legal experience to the chamber as well as a wealth of contacts and personal resources. His energy, diverse organizational and leadership skills, and high ethical standards are an asset to the chamber.
TREASURER: Michael S. Nelson, CPA (Wenner, Silvestain & Company, LLC)
Mike is from Peoria, Illinois. He received an accounting degree from Illinois State University in 1979. He served as a Naval Supply Officer aboard the USS Sacramento for several years. He moved back to Peoria (Illinois) and held several accounting positions in the construction industry. He moved to Denver in 1985 and began his public accounting career. He passed the CPA exam in 1987 (on the first try) and began working for a small CPA firm, gaining experience in accounting, auditing, and taxation. He left public accounting for a couple years where he was the controller of a growing public company. In 1997 he became a key member of the tax and accounting department of a large local CPA firm. He also retired that same year from the Naval Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has been with Wenner, Silvestain & Company for over ten years. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, cycling, and reading.
DIRECTOR- Christie Edwards, Citizen Member
Christie Edwards was the owner of The Packaging Store, Lone Tree for 6 years. Christie and her husband, Steve, are both Colorado natives and have lived in Lone Tree for 16 years. They have two daughters, Alex (21) and Erika (19). Christie graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor degree in Zoology. The roles of Zookeeper, mother, substitute teacher, day care provider, bookkeeper for their IT consulting business, Treasurer of PTA, school volunteer, lead to her success in the packaging and shipping business, nearly doubling the business in her six years of ownership. Christie is a charter member of the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member of the Lone Tree Ladies Golf group and continually looks for opportunities to serve her community. Christie was very excited about the formation of the chamber and looks forward to being a more integral part of the organization and contributing to the success of the Chamber as a community member of the Board. She believes her commitment to Lone Tree, knowledge of the community, her business acumen, her high energy level and her extensive people network will contribute to the Chambers' ongoing success.
DIRECTOR-Donna Russell, Citizen Member, Founder of the Chamber in 2006
Donna Russell, who recently retired from the banking business, has been a resident of Lone Tree since 1998 and is the founder of the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce board since its inception. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Denver County Partners, an at-risk youth mentoring organization, and is an alternate to the Board of the Douglas County Housing Partnership. Donna has a B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University, and is a Graduate of the Pacific Coast School of Banking at the University of Washington. Donna is excited by the growth and the potential in Lone Tree, and committed to the future of the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce.
DIRECTOR-David Burcham (FirstBank - Lone Tree)
David Burcham is Vice President of FirstBank of Littleton and specializes in Commercial and Consumer real estate lending. He currently manages two FirstBank branches in the Lone Tree/Highlands Ranch area. David is a Colorado native who graduated from Cherry Creek High School before attending Pepperdine University where he earned his B.S. in Business Administration. David now lives in Highlands Ranch with his wife Shannon, and their daughter, Aubryn.
DIRECTOR - DJ Hallowell, (FRAME IT - Littleton)
(picture and bio being prepared)
Lone Tree Chamber Staff
President / Executive Director - Michelle Holbrook
Michelle joined the Chamber in November 2009 as the first full-time staff person. Her position as President / Executive Director is designed to promote continued growth of the Chamber through programs and events. She comes to the Chamber with 15 years of lobbying and non-profit organizational development experience, and a BS in Business Management. Michelle and her husband, Ed, enjoy snowboarding, biking and hiking with their two daughters, Madison & Abby.
You can reach Michelle at the Chamber office, located inside the Park Meadows shopping center M-F, or by calling 303-792-3282 or via email: Michelle.Holbrook@LoneTreeChamber.com
Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce
Standing Committees
Committee involvement is another wonderful networking opportunity available to you as a Chamber member. The Chamber has several standing committees serving its members and the community. Contact the Committee Chair listed below by clicking on their name, to learn more about how you can get involved. If you have questions, or need additional information, contact the Chair or call the Chamber Office: 303-792-3282.
Ambassador Committee
Co-Chair; David Burcham, First Bank, Lone Tree
Co-Chair; Sheila Massman, Massman Insurance
The Ambassador Committee is dedicated to presenting the most professional business image of the Chamber by recruiting and welcoming new Chamber Members, retaining existing Members through “high-touch” Member contact, and strengthening and supporting the mission of The Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce. We accomplish this by representing the Chamber as official hosts at Chamber and Community Events, and building relationships with members by welcoming them to the Chamber personally! This is a great way to increase your visibility in the community.
Join us today by contacting David or Sheila to learn more, or by contacting the Chamber office: 303-792-3282.
Committee Members 2011
Donna Russell
John Mihlbachler, Prudential Insurance
Brad Killgore, 21st Century Technologies
Sue Tierney, Arbonne
Marcy Thompson, First Commercial Bank
Wade Bennett, Lone Tree Postal Services / Byrd's Nest
Jacob Haddan, Freedom Financial Services
Events & Educational Programs
Board Liaison: Christie Edwards
Volunteer Chair: Matthew Guccini, Edward Jones Investments
Michelle Holbrook, Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce
The Events & Educational Programs Committee is responsible for supporting the signature events and networking opportunities hosted by the Chamber. These events provide networking and visibility opportunities to our members. Each specific event committee relies heavily on volunteers within the Chamber and in the Community, so please consider getting involved this year! Thanks for your support.
A Taste of Lone Tree
Food & Art Festival
Board Liaison: Donna Russell
Volunteer Co-Chair: Donna Russell
Volunteer Co-Chair: Vivian Kovacs, Landscape Forms
The Taste committee under the leadership of the co-chairs is responsible for implementing this annual Chamber signature event. For 2011, the event will take place at Lincoln Commons @ RidgeGate in Lone Tree the weekend of August 13-14, 2011. There is plenty to get done before August, and I know Donna and Vivian would welcome your participation on this committee, so click on their names above and let them know you are willing to help! The event will be August 13 & 14, 2011, from 11-6 each day.
2011 Taste Committee Members
Michelle Blott, Vectra Bank
Ann Rafferty
Jayson Garcia, Hyatt Place |
