OUR TEAM
2024 Team Profiles – Leadville Race Series
Ken Chlouber, Merilee Maupin
Race Founders
When the Climax mine closed in 1982, Leadville faced the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Ken, a local leader, helped transform the community into an exceptional outdoor recreation hub by creating the Leadville Race Series. Serving as County Commissioner, State Representative, and Senator, Ken is also a 14-time finisher of the LT100 Run. He is most proud of co-founding the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation, which he views as a lasting investment in Lake County and its people.
Though “Texas born and bred,” Merilee’s heart resides in Leadville. After her Travel Agency closed in 1982 due to the economic downturn, she became the Race Director for the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 1983. She still actively participates in the races, embracing and awarding medals to each finisher. Merilee takes immense pride in co-creating the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation and believes it allows her to continuously contribute to her cherished community.
Tamira Jenlink, Event Manager
Leadville, CO
Coming from a 25+ year career in outdoor related industry, with a distinct focus on the intersection of health and movement, my greatest loves and passions are Leadville ❤️, and any and all opportunities to support humans to not only challenge but unravel the mystery of their own limits.
For the last 10+ years, I have had the privilege of being a part of the Leadville race series, from racer and volunteer to my current role. It is the perfect blend of my passions with my heart and soul to be gifted the opportunity to be a part of this team and in this capacity.
I so look forward to sharing each event with all of you! “Dig Deep” in your training and/or… crewing prep … and we will see you soon!
Amanda Kussin, Marketing Manager
Arvada, CO
How did Leadville find you? I moved to Colorado for college in 2015, and fell in love with all the mountain towns out here. After my first visit to Leadville, it immediately became my favorite place. I just couldn’t get over how magical it was. When I graduated, I began looking for a job in the sports industry and found an opportunity with the Leadville Race Series. It was one of the best decisions of my life!
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? I’ve found so much meaning through working for this race series! The community, coworkers, and athletes- they’ve all inspired me in so many ways. I love watching people cross the finish line, and you’ll usually see me shed a tear or two!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? My dog, Remy, joins me in Leadville for the summer. We love to grab to-go coffee from City on a Hill and then hangout at Turquoise Lake!
Quinn Cooper, National Account Manager
Boulder, CO
How did Leadville find you? I’ve lived in Colorado my entire life – from Alamosa to Fort Collins to Dillion to Grand Junction to the Denver area – Leadville has always been in the center of my life! The beauty of the mountains, community and the race series is mesmerizing and magnetic.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? The dynamic relationships! I love being a part of the Leadville Family and how it drives another level, abundance and meaning for family. I’ve met so many wonderful people and I love getting to know everyone.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? I love running or biking around the courses, fly fishing on the Arkansas River, and taking my dog (Winfield Patience – aka Winnie) to Turquoise Lake to swim.
Bernadette Finck, Retail Manager
Twin Lakes, CO
How did Leadville find you? I grew up in NJ but my family had a condo in Frisco, CO. Every winter since I was born, we would come to Frisco for a week and ski at Copper Mountain. I always wanted to live in the mountains, so when a teaching job came up in Leadville, I went for it! I taught at the Intermediate School for 5 years, and worked at the Retail store in the summer!
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? I absolutely love the family and community the Leadville Race Series is! I am not a runner or a biker, but I will be out there cheering on everyone! My favorite part is watching everyone’s hard work pay off as they cross the finish line. It brings me to tears every time.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? I love to ski at Copper or Vail and explore the trails with my 8 month old son Eric and husband Paul. You can also catch me reading a book by Twin Lakes!
Taylor Alton, Marketing Specialist
Boulder, CO
How did Leadville find you? I was born and raised just two hours away from Leadville in Gunnison, CO. My family and I would often come to Leadville for weekend getaways. I loved growing up in a small town and knew that I wanted my career to bring me back to the mountains.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? I love the community that Leadville cultivates. Working at the Leadville Race Series helped me create meaningful relationships with so many people.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? I love to trail run and hike the amazing 14ers around Leadville. Whenever I have a free weekend in the summer, I always make time to camp at Halfmoon Campground.
Grisell Rodriguez, Expo Manager
Miami, FL
How did Leadville find you?
I worked in accounting for 8 years, and felt like the job was sucking the life out of me. I didn’t feel passionate about the work I was doing. So, I decided to do something about it and started my own passion project called Women RUN Wynwood (nonprofit organization)– a 5k run focused on empowering women through our bi-monthly events.
6 years later, I was found with enough experience to apply for Expo Manager in Athletic Events with Life Time. All the years of hard work paved the way to where I am now. If you asked me six years ago where I would find myself in 2024 never in my wildest dreams I would have said falling in LOVE with Leadville, the people and this Race Series.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? The passion and love the locals feel for this town is inspiring, it overpours to anyone who puts their feet in Leadville. The work they do to lift the town up is heartfelt, and it fills my heart.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? SNOWSHOE.
Rochelle Thomas, Athlete Services Manager
Leadville, CO
How did Leadville find you? Since childhood, these mountains and this place have held a special place in my heart. Leadville was always my favorite place to come when we ventured to the mountains. As a family, we had countless camping and fishing trips at Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake with many wonderful memories. I have always loved the charm of this small mountain town and all the history and tales from the early settlers who laid the foundation for the community. Today, I find myself living the dream that those early moments in Leadville planted in me and am proud to now be a full-time resident.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? I have been so profoundly touched by the transformative power that the Leadville races series holds. The inspiring stories of the athletes and their families are awe-inspiring with their determination and sacrifice. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of something that runs deep in Leadville’s history and community fabric. The Race Series, instrumental in breathing life back into this beloved town, has become a cornerstone of its identity and fills me with a sense of pride to be a part of it.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? I love to be outdoors and find joy in snowy adventures with my dogs, skiing, hiking in the summer or even reading a book by a beautiful creek. Nature truly nourishes my soul.
