10 Under 40 10Under40 Celebratingtoday’srisingstars andtomorrow’sleadersofLogan andMorganCounties Celebratingtoday’srisingstars andtomorrow’sleadersofLogan andMorganCounties AspecialpublicationofPrairieMountainMedia
ple.”
Overtheyearsthefacility’sstaff hasgrown.Iin thebeginning,therewas justasmallteamandnow Mayhughmanagesastaff inthemid-140satseveral sitesstatewidethatprovideresidentialcommunitycorrectionsandout-
WhatATCisdoingis obviouslyworking,becauselastyeartheSterling siteenjoyedthehighest successratesinthestate forallcommunitycorrectionsprograms.
“Incommunitycorrectionsandintreatmentwe focusonevidence-based practices,sowe’renotjust throwingadartatthe dartboard,we’rereallytryingtoimplementthings thatresearchhassaid works,”Mayhughsaid. “So,asresearchbecomes
patientservices,including Sterling,Alamosa,Lamar,Montrose,FortMorgan,LaJuntaandCraig/ Steamboat.ATC’sservices includesubstanceabuse, DUIandangermanagementtreatment.
“It’sbeen12yearsprobably,thathe’sbeeninmy cornerleadingme,getting methroughhardtimes andthat’snotsomething hehastodoeither—he doesn’tworkforus,hejust sawthevalueinmaking surethattheprogramhad goodleadershipfortheentireareaandthatwassuperimportanttome,” Mayhughsaid.
emergingandwegetto implementnewideasand trynewconcepts,that’s theexcitingpartofthejob. Togettoseesomebodygo hometotheirfamilyclean andsoberandabletohave ajobandpaytaxesisreallyrewarding.
morewithclientcare,but theleadershiproleseemed tohappennaturally.He saysalotofhisjobnowis morefocusedonthebusinesssideandmakinghis employeessuccessful.
Anothermentorhas beenJohnDraxler,chief probationofficerforthe 13thJudicialDistrict.
Classof2022 JoshMayhugh.............................2 JordanJensen.............................3 AndrewStieb...............................3 CameronArmagost....................4 LukeJanes...................................4 DustyJohnson............................5 AmandaSteele............................5 TyDavies......................................6 MyKyleMares..............................6 TimStahley.................................7 INSIDE CALLIEJONES/STERLINGJOURNAL-ADVOCATE JoshMayhugh,vicepresidentofAdvantageTreatment | 10UNDER40 |2 WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,
“Wehavesomanygood staff membersandthey’re sohardtofindinrural areas.That’sthetaskat hand,istojusttrytotake careofthem,”saidMayhugh,whowasquickto pointoutthatmanyofhis staff membersaremore deservingofthishonor thanheis.“Theymake myjobreallyeasy,they’re smart,they’recompassionate,theydosowellwith theirclientsthatit’shard to…I’mflatteredbutreally theydotheheavylifting forme.”
Hecontributesthesuccesshe’shadatATCin parttosomeofthementorshe’shadthroughout hiscareer.Mayhughsaid DougCarrigan,theowner ofATC,“hasbeenexceptionaltomygrowth,reallyjustgivingmethe keystoacarandletting mefigureitoutwasjust aharddecisionI’msure forhimtomake,butitreallyithelpedmebecomea leader.”
Aleadershiprole, though,wasn’tsomething healwayssawforhimself. Hisvisionwastobein lawenforcementanddeal
“OurAdvantagemotto is‘Clientsuccessequals communitysuccess’and thatreallyjusthitshome formeeverytimeIreadit, becauseIknowI’mborn andraisedinSterlingand Iknowifourclientssucceedthenourcommunityissafer,thefamilies thattheycomefromare safer,thepeoplethatcome throughtheprogramare betteroff thanwhenwe foundthemandthat’sreallytheepitomeofeverythingAdvantageis,”Mayhughsaid.
ForoveradecadeJosh Mayhughhasbeenhelpingoffendersinrecovery learntobecomeproductivemembersofsociety.
10Under40isaspecialsupplementhonoring leadersinbusinessand ourcommunitiesinLogan andMorgancountieswho areundertheageof40, broughttoyoubyTheFort MorganTimesandthe Journal-Advocate.
“That’swhymostof ouremployeesreallycare, it’snotthemoney,it’sreallythatyougettosee firsthandhowmanyclientsgettogrowandreallydowellandit’ssocool twoyearsfromnow,we’re asmallcommunity,so intwoyearsI’llseeaclientthatwehadandhe’ll becoachinghiskid’ssoccerteamanddoingagreat jobandhe’ssoberandhe’s happyandthosethings willnevergo,they’llalwaysbeahugepartofit,” hesaidaboutwhyheloves hisjob.
JOSHMAYHUGH Helpingoffendersinrecovery becomeproductivecitizens VicepresidenthelpedmakeATCtopsamongColoradocommunitycorrectionsprograms
ByCallieJones cjones@ prairiemountainmedia.com
So,what’sdrivenhimto stickwithit,evenduring hardtimeslikeCOVID? Withcontinuingdevelopmentsincommunitycorrectionsandwhatworks best,it’salwaysexciting, itkeepsitfreshandthere aremanytimesitfeelsalmostlikeanewjob.
“Joshisafabulous leaderbeingthevicepresidentofAdvantageTreatmentCenters,Inc.,”said ATCstaff whonominated himforrecognition.“He continuestoleadmany residentsbothintherecoverycommunityaswell aswithourstaff.”
Mayhughhasbeenwith thecommunitycorrectionsfacilitysinceitfirst openedin2005.Whenhe wasincollegehemajored incriminaljusticeanddecidedprettyquicklythat hewantedtobeinthe treatment/communitycorrectionsfieldbecausehe loveshelpingpeople.
“That’sarealbighonor foraruralareathat’sstill dealingwithCOVID.We’re reallyimpressedwiththat andIhavetogivemost ofthecreditthereagain tothestaff here,“Mayhughsaid,creditingBrian Lynch,whowasthedirectoroftheSterlingsitebut hassincetakenadifferent role.“Thoseguysdidsuch agreatjobgettingthrough thepandemic,stilltreatingclientswellthrougha pandemicandhelpingsupportthem.They’rejusta greatprogramhere;we havesomanygoodpeo-
JORDANJENSEN
ANDREWSTIEB
Growingopportunitiesforyoungprofessionals
JENSEN»PAGE8 STIEB»PAGE8 3| 10UNDER40 |WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,2022
reyez@prairiemountainmedia.com waspreviouslythevicepresidentofutivedirectorforoverayearandoneofthe10Under40recipients.penhere,”saidStiebaboutbeingtobeapartofmakingthingshap-forourcommunityandit’sexcitingI’mdoingsomethingworthwhilesuccessatthechamber.isjustoneofthethingsdrivinghisbusinessoperatesinhishometownwhenJimdied.for35yearsuntilclosingin2019Charlotte.ThebusinessoperatedTile,ownedbyhisparents,JimandhelpingoutatCarpetsPlusColornaissanceforthechamber,hewasmerce.theFortMorganChamberofCom-becametheexecutivedirectorofseen,AndrewStieblongbeforeheownershaveknown,oratleastResidentsandsmallbusinessLongbeforehewasheadingare-Hisinsightintohowasmall“I’mexcitedthatpeoplefeelthatThe23-year-oldhasbeenexec- whenitcomestohelpingintheircousinsaremirroringeachotherChamberwithitswebsiteandtherecipient.MareshelpedtheBrushalsoselectedasa202210Under40cousinisMaKyleMares,whowasthatrunsinthefamilyasStieb’swebsite.focusedonbuildingthechamber’singaplantotrendupwards,Stiebstoredinthebasement,andcreat-ofsortingyearsofhistoricalfileshewasworkingwith.Afterhourshad,goodorbad,toseewhatallgoingovereverythingthechamberStiebhadalottofix.Hestartedbythecommunity,shakygroundwithfinancialwoestoindisarray.FromthechamberwaslastyearinApril,tookoverasdirectoryears.ofdirectorsfortwothechamberboardHesaidwhenheWebsitebuildingissomething
RebuildingtheChamberbrand
Jordan Jensen
ByZantReyez
tiesthatSterlingofindtheemploymentopportuni-ierforotherpeoplelikehertofriend,butwantstomakeiteas-portunityinSterlingthroughasaidshehappenedontotheop-ple.AnOklahomanative,Jensenbutservesawidevarietyofpeo-cializesinagriculturalclientsfinancialplanningfirmthatspe-Agri-Service,anaccountingandotheryoungprofessionals.tunitiesintheSterlingareaforness.Shewantstogrowoppor-thanjusttogrowherownbusi-JordanJensenwantsmoreJensenisapartnerinN.E. ff communitygetthatwordout?”firm,”shesaid.“Howcanweasatoworkhere,morethanjustourpleknowthereisanopportunity“Thechallengeistoletpeo-ers.JensengrewupinElReno, sumewithme,droppedsomeocametovisit.ling,shecontactedJensen,wholegefriendfoundworkinSter-drawntoColorado.Whenacol-homa,forseveralyearsbutfelting.Aftercollegeicsandinaccount-riculturaleconom-lor’sdegreesinag-Sheearnedbache-ranchingfamily.afarmingandOklahoma,insheworkedinanaccountingfirminStillwater,Okla-“Ibroughtcopiesofmyreff oingaround(Sterling,)”shesaid.alongtheway,andstartedlook-WhenshegottoGregBrecht’s ffi senandCadeReynoldsboughtpeopleforseveralyears,Jen-knowthecommunityandthefoundahome.AftergettingtoceonNorthThirdStreet,she
intheowantedtoretire.BrechtisstillthebusinessfromBrecht,who ffi waythrough.”financialmanagement,allthemeansproductionmanagement,ingtobethekeytosuccess.Thatshesaid.“Managementisgo-riculturalrisks)isshrinking,”overtheU.S.challengestoagproducersallranchershavenocontrol—arethingsoverwhichfarmersandweatherandmarketprices—allflation,inputcosts,loaninterestfaceareuniversal,shesaid.In-lengesagriculturalproducersnortheastColorado.Thechal-inStillwatertransferseasilytoeventuallytoretirecompletely.cepart-time,butplansJensensaidherexperience“Themarginoferror(inag-Thatwillbedi ffi necessity,andsomewillbehesi-traditionallyconservativeoutofpeoplebecauseagproducersarecultforsome
ingcanhavelong-termeincropping,irrigationorbreed-tanttochange.Asingleblunder ffects somethingisdiishappeningorwhy,theyknownotnecessarilyagreeaboutwhatingclimateand,whiletheymayonanoperation.Farmersalsofaceachangfferentandthey needtoadapt.“Everybodyhasadiff youngprofessionalstorelyonService,shedoesn’twantothertofindtheopeningatN.E.Agri-withthat.”sonswe’rehere,tohelpthemselves,andthat’soneoftherea-waytotakecareofitandthem-onitforaliving.Theywillfindalandbecausethey’redependentplearethebeststewardsoftheing,”Jensensaid.“Thesepeo-sensethatthingsarechang-takeontheweather,andtheyerentWhileJensenwasfortunate
ByJeffRice jerice@prairiemountainmedia.com
Andrew Stieb
“(Small)communitiessurround peopleinthebestoftimesandthe worstoftimes,”hesaid.
AfterhisstintinGreeley,he spentthreeweeksattheNorthern
detractfromtheruralnatureofit,” hesaid.
Janessaidhehasnograndcareerplans,butintendstogrowhis businessand“seewhathappens.”
Herecalledgratefullyforwhat thecommunitiesdidforhisfamilyduringthattime,fromrunning errandstopickinguphisandwife Jen’ssonColtfromdaycare.That supportisoneofthereasonhe’s keenongivingbacktothecommunity.
thatbeforebeing term-limited.
“Itmakesmefeelquitegrateful. Youcommitalotoftimetoservingyourcommunityanddoingas muchgoodasyoucan,”hesaidof beingselectedfora10Under40 award.“(Whether)it’dbeabusinessrelationships,personalrelationshipsandphilanthropicorganizations,youdoallthatoutofthe kindnessofyourheart.It’saphenomenalfeelingtohavepeoplerecognizethat.”
RejuvenatingdowntownSterlingremainsoneofLukeJanes’ priorities.
Thosethreedaysturnedintoa monthintheICU,stillonaventilator,fortheMorganandLogan Countynative.
JaneswasappointedtohisCouncilseatinJuly2019tofilltheunexpiredtermofMarcusFlores,who hadpassedawaythatMay.Helost hisbidforre-electioninNovember 2021toKellyBlecha,butwasappointedtoreplaceDaveAppelhans, whoranuncontestedformayorin thatelection.Hewasthenelected toafour-year-termin2021andcan serveanotherfour-yeartermafter
Frombeingadad,tohisjob,to alltheboardshe’son,hesaidsleep isn’tascommoninhishouseholdas itoncewas,butthat’sOKtohim. ItwasoverayearagowhenArmagostwasinCraigHospital’sspinal cordunitrehabbing.Hesaidbeing intheunitwasprofoundbecause hesawteenagerswithsevereneck andspineinjuries.Hesaidspeakingtothoseteenswhowerewheelchair-boundforlifebutneverlettingiterasetheirwillorhappiness fosteredmorethanthankfulness fromhim.
ThePeetznativegraduatedhigh schoolin2013,spent twoyearsstudying atNortheasternJuniorCollege,then wenttoColorado StateUniversityto earnabachelor’sdegreeinfinancialplanning.HereturnedtoSterlingtotutorstudentsatNJCwhile pursuinghismaster’sdegreeinfinance,whichheattainedin2019. Notcontentwithtwocollegedegrees,Janesisintheprocessof earningasecondMSinaccounting,whichheexpectstoearnby March2023.
AfterworkingfortheRE-1ValleySchoolDistrictaschieffinancial officer,JanesopenedhisownNew YorkLifeofficeindowntownSterling.TheofficewasrecentlyrecognizedastheLoganCountyChamberofCommerceBusinessofthe
“ThreedayslaterIwasonaventilatorbasicallyfightingformylife atthatpoint,”hesaid.
Janeswantstopromotenew ideassuchasthepartnershipwith BirdScooterstoprovidelow-cost, battery-poweredtransportation aroundtown.Thecityalsoisinstallingtwochargingstationsfor electricvehiclesindowntownSterling,andtherecentcompletionof the“S-curve”hasallbuteliminated trucktrafficthroughthehistoric downtownarea.
“Therearesomanycoolthings aboutruralcommunities,”Janes said.“Wehavetheopportunity togrowandexpandinternally. There’salotofsignificanceinthe historicnatureofSterling.”
“Iwaslookingtogetexperience inhowthecommunityworks,sort ofaresume-builder,butIwassurprisedathowmuchI’veenjoyedit,” hesaid.“Iliketheconnectionsyou canmake,beingabletomeetpeople,haverelationshipswithcommunityandbusinessleaders.”
Janesoriginallysoughtacity councilseatasawaytobecome moreinvolvedinthecommunity, buthassincecometoenjoythejob morethanexpected.
Alongwithbeingthebranch presidentattheBankofColorado inFortMorgan,he’sadirectoron theMorganCommunityCollege FoundationBoard,adirectoron
SeekingamoremodernSterlingwithasmall-town flavor
“Wehaveaccesstoalmosteverythingweneed,andthefunctional nature(ofthecommunity)doesn’t
Still,Janesrecognizesthatthere arethosewhoareresistantto change,fearingtheywillbecome strangersintheirownhometown. Hesaidthat’snotnecessary.
Colt,whilehiswifeJenholdstheir newborn,Levi. LukeJanes | 10UNDER40 |4 WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,
OnApril18,2021CameronArmagostenteredtheUCHealth HospitalICUinGreeleyaftera fewdaysofnotfeelingwellandalreadyhavingbeenseeninanemergencyroom.
Itwasn’tCOVID-19thathad the37-yearoldsuddenlyfighting forhislife:itwasGuillain-Barre syndrome.AccordingtotheMayo Clinicwebsite,it’sararedisorder whereyourbody’simmunesystem attacksthenerves.Theseattacks canmoveswiftlyandcaneventuallyparalyzetheentirebody,which happenedtoArmagost.
“It’shardtoputintowordswhat exactlythatfeelingis,butwhen Godblessesyouwiththemiracleof near-full-recovery,yougottotake thatforwhatit’sworth.”
The2003SterlingHighSchool graduatespentfivemonthsrecoveringfromthedisorderandsaid he’snearlyrecovered100%,but willhavesomelingeringlifelong effects.Whilehewasfightinghis fight,hesaidthecommunitiesof MorganandLoganstepped-upto supporthisfamily.
Week.
Thecouncilmemberenvisions aSterlingthatremainsrelevant tothe21stcenturywithoutlosing itssmall-towncharm.Thecommunityprovidesaccesstoawide rangeofservicesandactivities,and hehopestoseeincreasedaccessto thosethingsduringhistenureon CityCouncil.
ByZantReyez reyez@prairiemountainmedia.com
ColoradoRehabilitationHospitalin JohnstownthenheadedtoDenver’s CraigHospitalwherehestayedfor threemonthsre-learninghowto performsimpletasks.HewasreleasedfromCraigonSept.10,2021.
“Therearelotsofgoodthings wehavethatdon’thavetogoaway withchange,”hesaid.“Ifwesetup Sterlingtobeattractive,wecan bringinnewideasandwedon’t havetosacrificewhatwehave.”
ByJeffRice jerice@prairiemountainmedia.com
CAMERONARMAGOST
theFTMCommunityHospitalAssociation,andisdadtotwoadolescentsons.Ifthat’snotfulfilling enough,he’salsothedirectorofthe MorganCountyJuniorGolfAssociation.Theassociationpromotesthe sporttoyouthsintheareawithfree clinicsandaccesstoclubs.
TheSterlingCityCouncilmemberseestheheartofthecityaskey tomakingSterlingavital,familyfriendlycommunity.
LUKEJANES
Fivemonth fightyieldsdrivetobettercommunities
CameronArmagostholdshisson
So,shedid.Sherecalledastoryof takingapieceof paperandacrayon andhavingpeople shecameacrossat grocerystoresor familyfriendssign itsayingthey’d voteforher.
“ButalwaysmakingsureIkeep mybootsrootedMorgan,easternplains.Keepmyhomestead heresothatIalwayshavepeopletohumbleme.(So),Icanalwaysseewhat’sactuallygoingon intherealworld,notincapitals,”
Amanda Steele
“Iremembergettingsofrustrated,”shesaid.“Like‘that doesn’tmakesense’or‘that’snot whatIhearmyfamilytalking about.”’
viouslyusedfor storage,isbeing transformedinto abakerythatwill providefreshly bakedgoodsand coffeeonadaily basis.Steelesaid thelastbigproject istheflooring.She ishopingtobeable toholdasoftopeningwithinthe nextmonth.
“Honestly,I’mprettyhumbled andsurprised,”shesaidofthe honor.
STEELE»PAGE8 Thankyouforalltheleadersin LoganCounty.Weappreciateeverything youandyourbusinessdo. Weappreciatetheopportunitywehavetoworkwiththevariousservice agenciesforthebettermentofLoganCountyadultsnow andintheyearstocome. AdvantageTreatmentCenter 12220Highway61,Sterling,CO•970-522-7383 www.atreatmentcenters.com•email:josh.mayhugh@atreatmentcenters.com 5| 10UNDER40 |WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,2022
tocontinuethosecontributions thelasttwoyears.Ittookmonths ofplanning,butSteelesaiditwas funtoseethatworkcometogetherfortheevent.
Johnson,27,saidhermother toldherifshewantedtocomplain orhaveasayinpoliticalmatters, sheneededto“putherfoot”in.
Dusty Johnson
DUSTYJOHNSON
Thebakerywillprovidea venueforsmall,intimateevents likebridalorbabyshowers,which Steeleislookingforwardtohost-
AMANDASTEELE
It’sbeennearlytwoyearssince AmandaSteeletookoverCattleya FloralfromlongtimeownersSue andRickWeingardt,renaming thebusinessCattleyabySteele Terrain.
Thebackofthebuilding,pre-
Expandingbusinessyieldsnewopportunities
BySaraWaite swaite@prairiemountainmedia.com
ByZantReyez reyez@prairiemountainmedia.com
She’llcontinueherpoliticalcareerwithagoaltoensureMorgan Countyvoicesareheardjustlike theonesinDenver.Shesaidshe wantstokeepthesmalltownfeel inFortMorgan,butalsoaddress housingissues,keepbusinesses likeLeprinoandCargillintown andhavemorementalhealthservicescomein.Shewantstomodel herpoliticalcareerafterformer ColoradoSen.CoryGardner,but nomatterwheresheendsup,Fort MorganandMorganCountywill alwaysbewithher.
inginthespace.And,shesaid, theteamenjoysdoingbigger eventslikeweddings;thebakery willprovideanewwaytoserve thoseclients.
Movingupthepoliticalladder
“I’mexcitedtomeshwhatthe flowershopandbakerycandotogetherforevents,”shesaid.“Peoplearereallyreadythatunique servicehereinSterling.”
Eventhoughshemovedto towninthesixthgradefromArvada,shesaidherrootsarein MorganCounty.Allherhard workfightingtohavethepeople wholiveintownandthecounty tohavetheirvoicesheardisthe reasonsheisoneofthe10Under 40recipients.
Sincethen,thestorefronton ChestnutStreethasundergone somebigchanges,includingrenovationoftheflowershopand anexpansionunderwaynowthat willallowSteeletotakethebusinessinnewdirections.
Theteamrecentlygotthe chancetoflextheircreativemuscles,asCattleyaprovidedthefloralarrangementsfortheSterling CommunityFundGala.Steele saidSueWeingardtparticipated intheprojectandshewashappy
committee,andlegislativeaidfor SenatorJerrySonnenberg.Also, she’llbestartingworkatDouble REmbroideryinFortMorgan.
Thisyear’sGalawasthelast fundraiserofitskindfortheendowmentfundthataimstoimprovethequalityoflifeinSterlingandLoganCounty,and knowingthat,Steelesaidshedecidedshewantedto“gobig”and showcasewhathercreativeteam cando.
DustyJohnsonwasaround fouryearsoldwhenshediscoveredherloveforpolitics.Shewas listeningtopoliticalcampaigns andwaspuzzledaboutwhatshe washearing.
“Idon’tbelieveinsleep,”she joked.
Theadditionofthebakerywill alsomeanbringingonanaddi-
Fast-forward someyearslaterwherenocrayons areneededforJohnson.Herpoliticalasperationshaveledherto bethechairmanfortheMorgan CountyRepublicans,Colorado StateGOPexecutivecommittee chair,ColoradoStateGOPby-laws
TyDavies MaKyle Mares | 10UNDER40 |6 WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,
He’scurrentlythechamber’sexecutiveboardsecretary,whichautomaticallygiveshimaseatonthe chamberboardofdirectors.Mares saidhe’senjoyingeverythingthat’s comewithbeingontheboards,especiallywhenitcomestoworking withlocalbusinesses.
“(They’re)justbeingawesomeinfluencesandindividualsandhelpingouryoungkidsinFortMorgan begoodandproductiveandjustbe goodhumans,”hesaid.
In2018hegraduatedfromBrush HighSchool,but whiledoingclasses there,hewasalso takingclassesat MorganCommunityCollege.Ayear aftergraduating fromBHS,Maresgraduatedfrom MCCwithhisassociate’sdegreein multi-media.
Thatpandemicconnectionhas grownintoagreateropportunitytoshowcasehisskills.Mares hasworkedonanddesigningthe chamber’sFacebookandcreatedeverylogothechamberhasusedsince hewasbroughtin,allvoluntarily. HenamedVolunteeroftheYearlast yearforhiscontributions.
AutumnFridaynightsbelongto TyDaviesandhisMustangs.The ambianceofbleachersbeingbombardedwithstompingsfromthe studentsectiontopadscolliding atmid-field,Davieshasbeentakingitallinforthelastfiveyears asheadfootballcoachoftheFort MorganMustangs.
However,there’sonequestion —outofhumbleness—hedoes have.Whywasheselectedasone oftherecipientsoftheFortMorgan Times10under40?
himisn’taboutthewinandlose column,ratherensuringhisplayersbecomebettermenoff thefield longafterthey’vehunguptheMustangsjersey.
“MaKyle,Iwouldconsiderhim tobe,quitepossibly,myright-hand guy,”saidMattGordon,executive directoroftheBrushChamberof CommerceMattGordon.
Itwasin2020whentheworld wasstandingstillthatMaresand Gordonconnected.Atthetime, MareswasoperatinghismarketingbusinessBossMarketing.Gordonwaslookingforsomeoneto revampthechamberwebsite.He cameacrossawebsiteoperatedby Maresthatlistedallcontactinformation,menusandhowrestaurants inthecountywereoperatingduring COVID-19.Gordon,aninternforthe townandworkingatthechamber
“Anytimesomeoneinthecommunityneedssomething,the(Fort Morgan)footballboysarealways uptobetheretohelp,”hesaid.
Afterabriefreflectionastowhat
“I’mgratefultobenominated andrecognized.It’ssuchagreat community,”Maressaid.“There’sa lotgoingon—goodpeople,good organizations.Ijustwannaseeit
thrive.”
“Honestly,I’mnotsurewhyIgot selected,”hesaid,addingachuckle.
possiblyearnedthis selectionforhim, hesaidthishonor isareflectionofthe hiscoachesandthe FortMorganHigh Schoolstaffthat haveservedasan influence,butmoreover,haveshown himwhatittakestoinfluencestudentstobegreatinthecommunity orwherevertheywindup.
business,toyourorganizations,or evenjusttoanindividual,isonanotherlevel,”Gordonsaid.“It’sabsolutelyonanotherlevel.”
FromplanningtheBrushFourth ofJulyParade,tohistechnological abilitiesandnew-ageideas,he’san integralpartofthetown’sfuture.
“Isatoutsidehisclassroomand Ijustsatthereforlike25minutes andlistenedtohimteach.Hewas funny,he’sdancing,he’sjumping ondesks,like,justthewholewayhe wasteaching,Iwasjustlike‘wow,’” sherecalled.
Thatfreespirtalsocomes inhandyforpeprallies,which Schmidtcoordinates,asshealways volunteershimtobeinthem.She saidhe’lldowhateverthestudents askhimtodoattherallieswithout thinkingtwiceaboutifit’llbeembarrassing.
ByZantReyez reyez@prairiemountainmedia.com
duringthetime,saidwhenhesaw thewebsite,heknewMareswasthe rightpersontoredesignthechamber’ssite.
“Again,I’mnotreallysurewhy I’mselected,”hesaidmodestly. “Butitisagreathonor.It’sjusta reflectionofthepeoplewhoare aroundmethathelpsupportme.”
Hisaccoladesduringhistime ascoachshowthathe’sthrivingonthegridiron.Froma2021 3Astatetitletobeingnamedthe 2022DenverBroncoshighschool coachoftheyear,there’snoquestionthe39-year-oldhasgainedfavorinFortMorgan.
The“right-handguy”inBrush addsanotheraccoladetohisalreadyimpressiveresumeasthe22yearoldwasselectedasoneofthe 10Under40recipients.
MaKyleMares,aBrushnative, mightbeoneofthemostinfluential peopleintownashe’smadeaname forhimselfinonlyafewyears.
Mareshasnoplanstotakehis talentsawayfromhishometown anytimesoon.Hesaidhe’llkeep bringinginnewideas,newtechnology,toBrushsoitcanflourish. Allhisworkhe’sdonesofarhasgarneredtalksofhimbeingontown councilorevenrunningformayor oneday.Hesaidhe’dconsiderall thoseavenues.
Eventhoughmostinthecommunityseehimasanacclaimedcoach, Daviessaidthebiggerpicturefor
Gordonsharedastoryofwhen heandMaresgotdinneronetime thatendedupwithMarescoming upwithanideathatwouldheatuptalkaboutlocalrestaurantWing Spot.GordonsaidMarescameup withtheideatohavepeopleeatextremelyhotwingsinordertowin prizes.Maresorganizedthewhole eventanditwasputonFacebook andYouTube,whichGordonsaid wasnext-levelthinkingbyMares.
DesignsonthefutureofBrush
ByZantReyez reyez@prairiemountainmedia.com
Davies,anFMHSsocialstudies teacher,movedtoFortMorgana decadeagoanditquicklybecame homeforhimandhiswifeAudra. HecalledtheMorgancommunity bluecollarthat’ssupportiveofnot onlyhim,buteveryresident.
Helpinginthecommunityisone ofmanylessonstaughttohimby hisfather,Gary,aformercoachand teacher.DaviesrecallshischildhoodhomeinBroomfieldhaving anunofficialopendoorpolicy,a safespaceintoday’ssociety,where playersforhisdadwouldoftenstay forweeksormonths.
Daviesplanstoadvocatefor keepingteachersandcoachesin thedistrictthatareachievinggreat things.Hissistersaidinthelast fewyearhehasbeenvocalatschool boardmeetingsaboutmakingsure hispeers,andfirstyearteachers, aretakencareof.
“Ijustwanttoseethiscommunitygrow.I’mexcitedtoseewhat thefuturebringsforeverybodyin thecommunity,”Maressaid.
Daviesprideshimselfonalways
MAKYLEMARES
TYDAVIES
“Thethingshecanbringtoyour
beingavailabletohelphiscommunity.He,alongwithhissister, saidthefootballteamhelpsoutthe communityfromassistingsomeone movetopickingsweetcornatthe FoodBankoftheRockiesevent.
MorethanX’sandO’s
“Ijusthadmyhandinsomemany differentthingsanditseemedlike alotthingshappenedreallyfast,” Maressaid.
HissisterLizSchmidtsaidit’s hisfreespirt,hiswillingnesstodo anythingforthem,that’swhyhe’s abletoconnectwithhisplayersand students.Schmidt,theFMHSphysicaleducationdepartmenthead, sharedastoryfromherfirstyear atFMHSwhenshewalkedtohis classroom.Whenshearrivedathis door,shesawherolderbrotherin anewlight.
STAHLEY»PAGE8 STERLING 970.522.2330 HOLYOKE 970.854.3585 YUMA 970.848.5839 FORTMORGAN 970.867.4966 PREMIERACA.COM Congratulations CAMERON Yourdedicationtothe FortMorgancommunityand BankofColoradodoesnot gounnoticed.Weappreciate yourhardworkoverthelast 11years! Fromyourteamat FORTMORGAN 529MainSt.,Ste.101,970.867.9497 7| 10UNDER40 |WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER21,2022
thatencouragedMelnikowasaconversationwithStahleygreatschooltoattend;infact,ithe’llbringupNJCandwhyit’sayoungerstudentsyoucanbesureandwentontocompeteatstate.preparedpublicspeakingcontestsaway,whowonthedistrictFFAareaFFAmember,ConnieGas-Duringhistimementoring ff toencool,”hesaid.towheretheygoafterthatisreallyandthenthemtakingthoseskillsabletoinstillinthemhereatNJCfreshmenandthenwhatwewerefromwhentheystartedouthereasucationorgoingintotheworkforce.anotherschooltocontinuetheired-NJC,whetherit’stransferringontotheydoaftertheygraduatefromofhisjobandgettingtoseewhatshipswithstudentsisthebestpartrollatNortheastern.ForStahley,buildingrelation-“JustseeingtheirprogressionThat’snottosaytherehaven’t
ByCallieJones cjones@prairiemountainmedia.com apositivedipassioninallsituations.Hemakesdemonstratingfairnessandcom-heisarolemodelforourstudentsriencepossible.Moreimportantly,thebesthousingandstudentexpe-eryelementofhisjobtoprovidebringsenergyandinnovationtoev-AsourResidentLifeDirector,hesettoNortheasternJuniorCollege.JuniorCollege.studentleadersatNortheasternskillstohelpguidestudentsandleadership.Nowhe’susingthoseleyknowsalittlesomethingaboutPresident,youcouldsayTimStah-AsaformerColoradoFFAState“TimStahleyisanincredibleasff hisdutiesatthecollege,youcanhejoinedNJCin2019.AlongwithMikeWhitesaid.TimontheNJCteam!”Presidenteveryday.WeareproudtohaveerenceinstudentlivesASterlingHighSchoolgraduate, yearboththeASGOatedStudentGovernmentandlastingastheadvisorfortheAssoci-tion,andIloveit.”ticthing,verystudent-facingposi-studentsandthat’sbeenafantas-muchIwouldbeworkingwiththepositionIdidn’trealizehowatNortheastern.“WhenIgotintohimtothepositioniswhatattractedshipskills,”hesaidhancetheirleader-sharpenanden-andhelpthemworkwithstudentsilyproducefarm.ingoutonthefam-alsofindhimhelp-“TheabilitytoPartofhisdutiesincludeactffi oncampusandinthecommunityceivedlotsofpraisefortheirworkpresident,andStahleyhimselfre-dent;andJayceMaker,secondviceleen(Kat)Marty,firstvicepresi-donMelnikoff,president;Kath-cers,Bran-
TIMSTAHLEY HelpingNJCstudentsbecomeleaders
andtheireffortstoimprovemorale andstaitseemslikewhenwehavefacultyworld-classfacultyhereatNJCandfacultybecausewehave,Ithink,goalswastoreallyworkwithoursomereallycoolthings.Oneofourgreatkidsandthey’llgoontodoJayce,theywerefantastic,theyareASGlastyear,Kat,Brandonandoncampus.“Thestudentsthatwehadin ff votedtimetohelpingatleastoneSterlingFFAFoundationBoard,de-self,whoservesasamemberofthemunityhelpingtoo.Stahleyhim-NJC,plustheywereoutinthecom-helpedselectanewpresidentforgreatstudentparticipationandnewcampusactivitiesthathadulty,buttheyalsoinitiatedseveralwasagoodyearlastyear.”theydidafantasticjobwithit;itsaid.“Thosekidstookthatonandjustreallyworksoutwell,”Stahleyhavestudentbuy-inandeverythingbuy-inatNJCthenweNotonlydidtheyworkwithfac-
Stahley
She added that she’s inspired by the example set by her parents, who were business owners in the community.
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luck in finding opportunity in Sterling. Her firm’s website al ways includes an opening for an accountant under “Employ ment
Stahley 100% attributes his lead ership skills to his time in FFA, which led him to go on to earn a degree in agricultural leadership.
“(We wanted to) really give them something that was tangi ble, not just a feeling of sense or belonging to an organization, but something they could walk away from the table and say ‘look, this is what I have to show from my membership’ and be proud of that,” he said.
traffic in the flower shop, which means she may be looking to ex pand her staffing there as well.
“I’m excited to have a business that’s able to support local people in the community,” she said.
Proudto educate NortheastColorado’s futureleaders since1941 CongratulationstoMr.TimStahley, NJCDirectorofResidenceLife andStudentActivities, forallhisamazingworkwith ourAssociatedStudent GovernmentOfficers! 100CollegeAvenue | Sterling,CO (970)521-7000 | www.NJC.eduTimStahleyandthe2021-22ASGOfficerTeam | 10 UNDER 40 |8 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,
Steele
rural communities, but anyone who wants to live in a small town with little traffic, plenty of amenities and a family atmo sphere. And, she said, the op portunities are here. Many of Sterling’s long-established ac countants are looking forward to retirement. They have long client lists and lucrative prac tices that could provide excel lent career opportunities to the right people. And it’s not just in the accounting field; the same applies to Sterling’s cadre of le gal, medical, veterinary and real estate professionals.
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Stieb
“Just being able to use that and then kind of instill it in ASG and the RAs that we have on campus, that’s been a fun thing and leadership is something that all of these students can benefit from because it’s always in the context of some thing else, so you can just say you’re going to be a leader, you have to go into a field and then be a leader that way,” Stahley said.
fits the chamber offers to its mem bers. A new membership structure reflects what business want and need, but also how the chamber can provide additional boosting.
Stahley
That doesn’t necessarily mean people who come from
“YouOpportunities.”neverknowwhen you’re going to find that person who’s perfect for us,” Jensen said. “We want to hire people who have a reason to be here.”
been challenges; the COVID-19 pandemic in particular was a very “rough“Whentime.”COVID first hit, moving 500 kids out in two weeks and also keeping them away from each other during that time and when stu dents got COVID we had to move them from where they were and coordinate that, make sure that they got to where they needed to be and then delivering them three hot meals per day, it was rough. I don’t ever want to do that again,” Stahley said.
attitude, words of encouragement, and a good laugh. That’s part of the reason his fellow staff mem bers nominated him for the Ad ministrative Professional Techni cal Employee of the Year in 2021.
Jensen
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Yet, he did it all with a positive
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tional five to six employees, Steele said, including Candace Acton, formerly of Old Town Bistro, as head baker. She expects the bak ery will also increase walk-in
towns.“We did what we could (with the website) and I think what we’ve created is pretty good,” he said.According to Stieb chamber membership has increased 24% since March of last year. The focus this year has been the bene-