Visit Estes Park staff climbing at Performance Park
Kara Franker
CEO
kara@visitestespark.com
Kara has a wealth of experience in leadership, marketing, communications, entrepreneurship and the tourism industry. She is a seasoned journalist and editor-in-chief of a print magazine. What you didn't know about Kara: She is a lawyer, a former NFL cheerleader and really loves nachos.
Mike Zumbaugh
CFO
mike@visitestespark.com
Mike is an industry veteran. He has held executive and senior leadership positions throughout his 30-year career and is actively involved with Destinations International where he works to provide members with professional development opportunities. When not working, you can find Mike camping, hiking, biking, skiing or traveling with his family.
Rebecca Domenico-Gelsinger
COO
rebecca@visitestespark.com
In her 20+ years working in hospitality within Estes Park and around the Front Range, Rebecca found her calling in hospitality sales. She is thrilled to bring this experience to Visit Estes Park, particularly because it allows her to live in the town she loves. When Rebecca isn’t working you’ll find her at a lake (Lake Estes is a favorite) or snowboarding with her family, enjoying the outdoors and all Estes Park has to offer.
Heidi Barfels
CMO
heidi@visitestespark.com
Heidi is a third-generation tourism and hospitality executive, bringing 15 years of marketing experience and a lifelong passion for travel to her role at Visit Estes Park. She's worked with international hotel brands, award-winning restaurants, arts and culture organizations and a wide range of DMOs. While not working, you can find Heidi biking, cooking or enjoying the outdoors with her family.
Rachel Ward Oppermann
Senior Manager, Community Relations & Sustainability
rachel@visitestespark.com
With 13 years experience in marketing (4+ in tourism), a genuine love for mountains, small mountain towns and any adventure to be had in and around them, Rachel is thrilled to have the opportunity to combine her professional skills and personal passions in her work for Visit Estes Park. What you didn’t know about Rachel: Rachel is a volunteer firefighter and first responder with the Allenspark Fire Protection District.
Kendall Akin
Creative Manager
kendall@visitestespark.com
After graduating from Colorado State University with a BFA in 2018, Kendall chased her dream of living in the mountains and brought her artistic eye and talent to Visit Estes Park, helping to bring the organization’s branding and design to the next level. When Kendall is not working, keep an eye out for her reading a book near a body of water, coffee in hand, or learning to hang with the best outdoor adventurers in Estes Park.
Dana Paiement
Senior Destination Development Manager
dana@visitestespark.com
With 13 years of experience in sales and events, love for the community of Estes Park and passion for the environment, Dana is excited to apply her personal passions and professional skills in her work to promote sustainable tourism at Visit Estes Park. When Dana is not working, you'll find her spending time with her family and friends, hiking, traveling, cooking, practicing yoga and gardening.
John Berry
Photographer
john@visitestespark.com
An experienced photographer, John’s ability to make his work come alive and his passion for outdoor photography produces images irresistible to Estes Park guests. When not working, you can find John riding his bike around the lake, playing guitar, or hiking in the mountains with his girlfriend, Anne.
Claire Molle
Communications Manager
claire@visitestespark.com
Native to Estes Park, Claire Molle has 5 years of experience in journalism, public relations, and sales with a BA in Journalism and Multi-Media Communications. After spending some time in North Carolina as a TV News Reporter, Claire realized her heart still lived in the mountains. As Communications Manager, Claire is passionate about sharing Estes Park, a place so dear to her heart, with the rest of the world. You can often find Claire out on the hiking trails, or enjoying all the cool hang-out spots Estes Park has to offer-- and if she's not there, she is probably at home cooking for family and friends.
Colleen Sovey
Community Relations Manager
colleen@visitestespark.com
New to Colorado, but no stranger to the hospitality industry, Colleen brings years of experience from frontline jobs and previous destination marketing work. She's all about making connections and spreading the word about what there is to do, see, eat and drink in Estes Park. When she's not working, you can find Colleen outside on an early-morning run, hitting the trails for a hike or toasting a craft brew at one of the local breweries.
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