JUNTA DIRECTIVA DE LA CHA
JEFF EATON
Chair, Chaffee County
Jeff.Eaton@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I have been visiting Colorado for over 25 years and fell in love with the majesty of the mountains and the extensive outdoor activities Colorado offers. Loretta and I decided to retire in 2021 and relocate to Buena Vista from Pennsylvania to be closer to both of our sons.
I enjoyed a 45+ year career in both the public and private sectors, primarily in social services/housing program development and delivery. During the last 21 years of my career as CEO/President of a regional New York 501(c)(3) Corporation, my primary focus was on affordable housing development and management, including family/senior
multi-family Low Income Housing Tax Credit development.
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I became intrigued with the housing crisis in Chaffee County and was invited to join the CHA Development Committee in early 2023. I also contracted with CHA as Interim Executive Director for a brief period during the recent Executive Director transition and was subsequently
appointed to the Board in July 2023.
While there is so much to offer here, I believe aggressive steps must be taken to ensure housing options exist for all residents. I am hopeful my experience can be instrumental in providing some of those solutions.
My favorite spot in Chaffee County is anywhere outdoors with family and friends.
SALTY RIGGS
Vice Chair, Salida
Salty.Riggs@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I'm Salty, and my mission is to champion affordable housing within our community. As the President of BETCH, I've dedicated myself to ensuring that the workforce has a strong voice in the conversations surrounding housing decisions that directly affect their lives.
I believe that housing is a human right, and my advocacy centers around turning this belief into a reality. I've been a vocal advocate for zoning reform, shedding light on the existing system's biases that favor wealthier landowners over the working class. The growing income disparity in our community over the last few years serves as a stark reminder of the urgency for change.
My approach has always involved challenging the status quo. I am recognized for bringing a much-needed dose of reality to community conversations, and I've earned respect for the effort I put into doing research. Core principles drive my work – unity and agency. I'm deeply committed to giving the workforce the power to shape their own destinies and regain agency over their lives.
My favorite place in Chaffee County is Hecla Junction. It’s always sunny at Hecla.
ANGELA MOKATE
Secretary, Chaffee County
Angela.Mokate@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I first came to Chaffee County in 2008 to work as a raft guide on the Arkansas River. I fell in love with the mountains and whitewater of Colorado and kept returning every summer. I met my husband Chris, a fellow guide and after building a supportive community we decided to make Colorado our home.
Together we built a residential
real estate inspection company that focuses on pre-purchasing inspections that he continues to run today. My “can do” attitude, creativity and ambition while working alongside buyers and agents during the inspection process motivated me to get my real estate license and transition into a Realtor in
Chaffee County.
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Being a Realtor for Full Circle Real Estate Group has given me a magnified view of
the challenges facing our community regarding affordable housing. I have also had the opportunity to work with Colorado Association of Realtors being one of thirteen Realtors from around Colorado chosen to attend their leadership academy including
realtor day at the capital, Denver’s economic summits as well as Realtor property forums to address property rights and speak with state legislators about the housing crisis in Colorado. I am excited to help represent my community of the seasonal workforce, service workers, small business owners, independent contractors, and
everyone else who has experienced hardships due to the housing shortage.
My favorite place in Chaffee County is and will always be Browns Canyon and theNumbers sections of the Arkansas River. It was what first brought me to the valleyand continues to play a big role in my life and community here.
ERIC WARNER
At Large
Eric.Warner@chaffeehousing
authority.org
As a Native who has spent most of my life on the Front Range, I've had a front row seat to the trebling of Colorado's population in my lifetime and the host of challenges that has growth has brought to our state. My wife and I decided to establish residency in Salida in 2018, and in just that short time the housing unaffordability problem has become dire in Chaffee County. I'm excited to work with the executive director and board of the CHA to apply both tried and true as well as innovative solutions to solve the greatest problem our county currently faces. As a successful entrepreneur and executive in the beverage manufacturing and retail space (primarily craft beer) I believe my contributions to the CHA board will be unique and complementary. I have a strong track record working with teams to develop strategic plans and implement the key initiatives that support them, scale newly formed companies and maximize outcomes with limited resources. I have deep experience writing, reviewing and being a party to hundreds of leases, contracts and other legal documents, leading commercial construction projects and managing budgets under constantly changing conditions. I believe my extensive experience in the aforementioned areas will be helpful as the CHA navigates its next phase of growth.
I'm extremely lucky to live on the Arkansas River so my house is right up there among my favorite places in the county. I love F Street and Monarch Mountain too!
JANIE HAYES
Secretaria de la Junta, Condado de Chaffee
Creo que la vivienda es el tema central para muchos de nuestros desafíos sociales relacionados con la equidad aquí en Chaffee, y quiero estar en un equipo que esté ayudando a abordar el problema. Mi experiencia y mi trabajo diario se centran en apoyar a las organizaciones de cambio social en sus esfuerzos de políticas, abogacía y comunicación. También soy redactora de discursos y estratega de participación pública. Disfruto apoyar a las personas y las causas que hacen del mundo un mejor lugar.
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Mi lugar favorito en el condado de Chaffee es mi patio trasero, mirando los hermosos picos de 14k pies que nos rodean y nos recuerdan lo pequeños que somos en realidad.
JOSEPH TEIPEL
Vicepresidente de la Junta, Pueblo de Buena Vista
Aporto a CHA más de 20 años de experiencia en construcción, desarrollo comunitario, desarrollo organizacional y gestión de proyectos. Nací y crecí en el condado de Chaffee, por lo que este lugar es mi hogar en el sentido más profundo de la palabra y estoy comprometido a hacer todo lo posible para que sea un mejor lugar para vivir para todos. Actualmente, trabajo como Director de Planificación del Pueblo de Buena Vista y vivo aquí con mi esposa Ashley y mis dos hijos.
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Mi lugar favorito en Chaffee es un camino de acceso de incendios antiguo que sale del pase de Cottonwood. Me encanta caminar allí con mi familia y mis cachorros.
DAN SHORE
When I ran for city council back in 2017 my primary motivation was to focus on our housing issues.
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In my capacity as mayor for the past two years I have continued to pursue that initiative. Prior to becoming a public official I spent approximately 30 years as a business development officer for primarily mutual fund companies. That career afforded me many opportunities to work with people with opposing viewpoints. I believe that skillset is directly transferable to serving on the housing authority board.
CRAIG NIELSON
Presidente de la Junta, Condado de Chaffee
Como residente de Salida y el condado de Chaffee por más de veinte años, estoy emocionado de unirme al talentoso y diverso equipo de CHA para abordar las necesidades críticas de vivienda que enfrentan nuestras comunidades. Comenzando a principios de la década de los 1990, tuve una carrera de 20 años en planificación regional, desarrollo comunitario y vivienda asequible y he fundado dos exitosas organizaciones de vivienda sin fines de lucro. Desde 2005 soy propietario y administrador de Green Edge Design, un estudio de diseño arquitectónico de edificios ecológicos enfocados la vivienda sostenible.
Es difícil nombrar solo un lugar favorito.
Mis montañas favoritas en el condado son las "Ute Peaks" (Mount Ouray, Chipeta Mountain y Phalone Peak), llamados así en honor a los miembros de la familia de la tribu Ute, los habitantes originales de los valles. Como alpinista, mis lugares favoritos para escalar son los riscos alrededor de los túneles en CR 371. Esa área y el increíble paisaje interior del Monumento Nacional Browns Canyon, donde el desierto alto se encuentra con la montaña, también ocupan un lugar destacado en la lista.
CHRIS LEDGER
Alternate, At Large
Chris.Ledger@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I moved to Chaffee County in 2013 to be a whitewater rafting guide on the Arkansas River. I soon fell in love with the valley with all of its amazing recreation opportunities. I then spent the next several years moving from seasonal job to seasonal job but always ended up finding myself back here in Chaffee County.
Finally in 2020 my wife and I decided to get out of the seasonal circuit and started a Home Inspection business which I currently operate. While doing Home Inspections I have had a unique view of who are buying homes in Chaffee County and it was surprising to me that current residents buying homes were few and far between. This was one of the main reasons that I decided to join the CHA, as I want to be a part of the process that will make housing more attainable for the people who live and work in this amazing valley.
My Favorite place in Chaffee County is the Arkansas River, where you can find me, my wife, and our dog enjoying the best whitewater in the state.
CHRISTY DOON
Alternate, Salida
Christy.Doon@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I am currently the Interim Administrator for the City of Salida. Previous roles with Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) have included serving as the South Central Colorado Regional Manager and working on Rural Economic and Community Development.
I am also on the faculties of the University of Colorado and Adams State University.
Additionally, I serve on the Chaffee County Community Foundation Board (CCCF) and chair CCCF’s Nonprofit Capacity Committee.
I have lived in Salida for 10 years. My husband, daughter and I enjoy all activities the area has to offer, including skiing, getting out on to the river and exploring the public lands that
surround us.
BRIAN BERGER
Alternate, Buena Vista
Brian.Berger@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I was recently provided the opportunity to take the position of Town Administrator for the Town of Buena Vista after serving as the Town Administrator/Treasurer for the Town of Poncha Springs over the last 7+ years.
I have also served on numerous other boards in Chaffee County over the years; including, Monarch Community Outreach, Chaffee County Visitor’s Bureau, Chaffee County Transportation Advisory Board, Chaffee County E-911 Authority Board, San Luis Valley Transportation Planning Region, and the Chaffee Rec Council.
Having lived here for almost 10 years, my favorite place in Chaffee County is still finding a new road on the map and exploring an area I haven’t been to.
BETH HELMKE
Alternate, Chaffee County
Beth.Helmke@chaffeehousing
authority.org
I bring varied leadership experience from my professional background in the nonprofit sector, education, nature-based youth programming, and communications.
I have a Bachelors in Molecular Biology and Masters in Nonprofit Management and currently work as Chaffee County Government’s Deputy Director. I am passionate about stewardship and sustainability and building a more inclusive and diverse outdoor recreation culture and community.
My love for trail running, summit seeking, and all manner of backcountry adventuring also ties in well with her involvement with Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North.