Although an estimated $53,000 already has been spent since mid-September 2024 on expenses associated with hiring a new CEO for Visit Estes Park, efforts to hire a new permanent leader for the 10-member staff appear to have hit a roadblock.
Two finalists interviewed for the position Thursday, Jan. 30. That was to be followed by a special executive meeting originally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3 so the search committee could discuss its findings after which VEP board members were expected to choose a CEO.
VEP chair Sean Jurgens had said the board hoped a new CEO would be selected by the end of January.
Instead, the Feb. 3 meeting became an executive meeting with VEP attorney John Chmil.
Following the executive session, Chmil was clear in saying no discussion about the candidates took place, and that the session was one where he provided legal advice on an unforeseen issue that arose over the weekend. No further executive sessions have been scheduled and there has been no public announcement about next steps in the hiring process.
The VEP board is not due to meet again until Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. The regularly scheduled monthly meeting are online and can be viewed by the public.
In mid-September, VEP’s board of directors approved paying SearchWide Global $50,000 to lead the employment search for a new CEO. As part of that contract, that firm would seek candidates, vet qualifications and work with a local search committee to identify finalists for the Estes Park position. Other expenses incurred in the candidate search include estimated transportation costs, lodging, meals, room rental and other miscellaneous charges.
Interviewing for the top job at VEP were current Community Engagement Director Cindy Mackin and Candace Carr Strauss, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Montana Chamber of Commerce in Bozeman, Mont.
Both women stressed the need to promote destination stewardship during their presentations to the search committee.
Mackin focused on efforts the organization began during the past year, including balancing the community’s financial success, positive and memorable experiences for guests and a meaningful quality of life for the entire community.
Carr Strauss discussed her experiences while helping lead efforts to address recreating responsibly strategies while in Sedona, Ariz., including videos, programs for hiking trails and the launch of trailhead shuttles.
According to Mackin, a key component of developing future visitation growth will rely heavily on data collection, analyzation, and use of the results.
Mackin’s entire tourism experience is rooted in Northern Colorado. Since graduating from Colorado State University, she has been involved in destination development, public speaking, grant writing, and event design and production.
Prior to her employment at Visit Estes Park that began in April 2024, Mackin was director of Visit Loveland for a dozen years. While there she received the 2016 Colorado Tourism Office Governors Award as individual contributor to Colorado Tourism, was named 2018 Public Relations Society of America Business Person of the Year and in 2020 was the BizWest Woman of Distinction. She received CDME certification in 2016.
Carr Strauss told the selection committee that while her past job titles have prominently stated “Chamber of Commerce,” she has been actively involved in destination marketing in all her positions. “This is the first organization that has been separate from the Chamber,” she explained.
Currently she serves as vice present of marketing and communications for the Montana Chamber of Commerce in Bozeman, a position she has held as a full-time employee for two years. She’s also worked as president and CEO of the Sedona, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. Prior to that, Carr Strauss was CEO of the Big Sky Montana Chamber of Commerce. She has served on several national tourism boards.
The Visit Estes Park CEO position became vacant upon the July resignation of Kara Franker who accepted a similar job in Key West, Fla.