OUR TEAM
2025 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 in 2015 for college (Go Buffs!), and fell in love with all the mountain towns out here. Leadville quickly 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 hangout at Turquoise Lake!
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.
Megan McCormick, National Account Manager – Expos
Atlanta, GA
How did Leadville find you? My journey with Life Time began in 2022 when I joined as a National Account Manager for Expo Events. That summer, I had the privilege of visiting Leadville for the first time as part of the Leadville Race Series, which features vibrant expos at three of its marquee events. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the stunning mountain landscapes and the inspiring energy of the incredible team. It was love at first sight—a connection to both the place and the people that continues to grow stronger every day.
How has working for the Leadville Race Series positively impacted your life? Being part of the Leadville Race Series has been an incredibly inspiring experience. Witnessing the passion and unwavering determination of athletes at each event is truly unparalleled. Their grit and commitment to training fuel my own dedication to creating exceptional expos for these events. My goal is to ensure that our expos reflect the unwavering support of our team by offering athletes the very best products and solutions as they journey from all over the country and the world and prepare for race day. It’s a privilege to contribute to their incredible stories.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? Let’s be real—after long hours of putting together the best expos in Leadville, my downtime is all about two things: food and soaking in the big wins. Mornings mean a chorizo breakfast burrito from City on a Hill (seriously, it’s life-changing), and evenings call for beers to celebrate a job well done with my powerhouse team by the bonfire at Treeline.
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.
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!
Jack Shields, Marketing Specialist
Arvada, CO
How did Leadville find you? I moved from Minneapolis to Boulder in 2020 to attend the University of Colorado and quickly fell in love with the mountain lifestyle. I have been an avid snowboarder my whole life and could not imagine myself living anywhere else! After graduation, I followed my passion for sports and event marketing, which led me to the Life Time Off-Road Events staff and the beautiful community of Leadville. I am not an endurance athlete, so I was nervous coming into this crazy family of mountain bikers and ultra runners, but they welcomed me with open arms! It didn’t take long before I was hooked on the magic of the Cloud City.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? I have been so inspired by all the hard work and dedication these athletes display every day! The best part of my job is to tell the story of these events. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to watch the stories of all these inspiring individuals unfold and share them with the world!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? When I am not working, I am outdoors! I enjoy hiking around Leadville and all over Colorado. I am also an avid boater and wake surfer. In the winter you can find me snowboarding at Winter Park and Copper, or on my couch yelling at my Minnesota sports teams.
Jake Williamson, Logistics and Warehouse Manager
Leadville, CO
How did Leadville find you? Leadville found me in 2008 when I came up to crew my grandfather in the 100 MTB race. Ever since then I have come to Leadville every summer until I eventually moved here in January of 2022.
How has working for the Leadville Races Series positively impacted your life? Working for the race series has been the most impactful job I have ever had. It has allowed me to grow a lot closer to the ultra-running and biking community which I am very grateful for. But for me the best part of the job has been getting involved with the town of Leadville’s community and learning so much more about the town that I live in.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? My favorite past times are cycling, rock climbing, and trail running which I partake in as much as possible over the summer when I’m not helping put on any of our races or camps.
Elysha Dyer, Volunteer Coordinator
Leadville, CO
How did Leadville find you? I moved from Maine to Leadville in 2023 looking for more time in the mountains. I grew up nordic skiing, running, and hiking and Leadville provides all those fun things right outside your door. I couldn’t think of a better playground to live in!
How has working for the Leadville race series positively impacted your life? The race series is a unique experience linking long-standing traditions of Leadville with endurance sports. Being a part of the unity and watching these two communities interact is a truly unique and inspiring thing to be part of.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Leadville when you’re not working? When I’m not working, I’m either out exploring the mountains around town or baking.
