Meeker, Stories

Kobald new Meeker Chamber executive director

Stephanie Kobald
Stephanie Kobald
MEEKER I Stephanie Kobald has been named the new executive director of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce.
Kobald will fill the vacancy left by Katelin Cook, who served as the executive director for three years, and who has accepted the position of economic development Coordinator for Rio Blanco County.
For the past year, Kobald has been the membership and tourism coordinator for the Meeker chamber.
“As the membership director, Stephanie has been learning about our local businesses and their needs and challenges,” Meeker Chamber President Leif Joy said. “When you combine her knowledge of local business with her out-of-the-box thinking, you get a dynamic leader who will bring fresh ideas to promote Meeker.”
Kobald was graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor of fine arts degree in landscape architecture. She moved to Meeker in 1999 from Chicago and worked as a landscape architect for DHM Design in Carbondale until 2011.
She was hired by the Meeker chamber in January 2013 and brought her strong creativity, marketing, graphic design, communications, public outreach and relationship building skills to the organization.
As executive director Kobald serves the community as a member of the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council board of directors and assists Meeker Elementary School as a Destination Imagination team leader.
Kobald has focused on building membership relations, promoting Meeker to visitors and strengthening the community.
“The chamber serves a lot of diverse functions for our community, and I am excited to take on this challenging position and tackle the work as executive director,” Kobald said. “I enjoy living in Meeker and am committed to supporting our citizens and businesses. I love promoting Meeker because I know it is a great place to play, live and work.”
As executive director, Kobald plans to continue the combination of services, programs and member benefits the Meeker chamber currently has in place and, with the leadership of the chamber board of directors, add to that foundation with new solutions toward some of the community issues.
“Stephanie is a great listener,” says Wendy Gutierrez, vice president of the chamber board. “I have seen her listen to a variety of ideas and incorporate them into a workable program.”
“I am excited for Stephanie’s advancement and believe 100 percent that the chamber is moving in the right direction,” Katelin Cook said. “Stephanie’s skill set is a great asset to this organization.”
“Meeker businesses must be adaptive and creative to survive and grow in our remote area and the chamber must also be adaptive and creative if it is to be responsive to the changing needs of our membership,” Joy said.
“We look forward to 2014 being a year of new opportunity for business,” Joy continued. “The chamber will focus on three areas: supporting area businesses, attracting visitors and being a partner in the Rio Blanco County Economic Development Initiative.”
There are several local events that the chamber plans to promote to draw more out-of-town visitors, such as the OHV Rendezvous, Meekerpalooza Arts and Music Festival and the U.S. Forest Service’s 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
The chamber is also exploring additional tourism programs, such as maps, signage and other recreational events.
“By bringing more visitors to Meeker, we hope to increase foot traffic through our businesses,” Gutierrez said.
The mission of the Meeker chamber is to represent, advocate and encourage the development of businesses and our community by implementing responsible economic development, business retention and tourism programs while being a positive liaison between businesses and government.
The 2014 chamber board of directors includes: president Leif Joy, vice president Wendy Gutierrez, treasurer Ann Marie Scritchfield and members Joe Fennessy, Diana Jones, Cassie McGuire, Kim O’Connell, Lee Overton and Marti Walsh.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
1 day ago
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2 days ago
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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View on Instagram |
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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