Meet The Members of the 2013-2014 Greater Park Hill Community Board
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
District 1 – Vacant
District 2 – Ryan T. Hunter
Occupation: Chief Operating Officer – Mocavo, Inc.
Board activities: I’m a member of the Finance committee and I also help out on special projects when the need arises.
What drew you to the GPHC? I started the Park Hill Neighborhood Facebook group a few years ago that I still manage and I helped start the 4th of July Parade. Joining GPHC was a way for me to get more involved in our community at a deeper level and on a regular basis.
Highlight of your board experience? Definitely the backyard chicken and goat “controversy.”
What you love about Park Hill? I love that you can experience many of the wonderful aspects of small-town life while still living in a progressive urban environment.
District 3 – Heather Shockey
Occupation: Help employers sleep at night (Director at MSEC, an Employers Council, focused on Employment law and HR)
Board activities: Executive Committee member
What drew you to the GPHC? Initially zoning issues and then the opportunity to volunteer with a larger group of people for a great neighborhood.
Highlight of your board experience? Watching the organization change and grow.
What you love about Park Hill? I couldn’t think of one thing, so I listed many. P = People – Park Hill people are great, A = Air – Fresh Colorado air, R = Roads and Alleys – Unique history and access regarding the design, K = Kids – Hearing them laugh and play, H = Houses – Wonderful architecture, I = Ideal location – Close to downtown and the mountains, L = Longevity – Park Hill residents remain in the area for generations, L = Laughter – Amongst our friends and neighbors. I am extremely proud to say I live in Park Hill – it is the best neighborhood!
District 4 – Philip Carlson
Occupation: Cook at Fuel Café.
Board activities: Presenting the needs and concerns of our neighbors on a local level.
What drew you to the GPHC? I wanted to become a more active member of our community and be in tune with current issues and help represent the viewpoints of our district.
Highlight of your experience? Getting to know and work with great people in the neighborhood.
What you love about Park Hill? I love the history and diversity of Park Hill. It is an excellent established Denver neighborhood, in terms of culture, architecture and nature (trees). The residents are family first which is one of my core values. And I love the city of Denver and city life – the accessibility to museums, restaurants, nightlife, etc. are crucial and so large in Park Hill.
District 5 – Bernadette Kelly
Occupation: Owner of Salon Varié, providing professional architectural services.
Board activities: As Secretary, recording and distributing minutes for Board and Executive Committee meetings. As Property Use Committee Co-Chair, serving as a resource for zoning code issues (property use, construction, liquor licenses, etc.).
What drew you to the GPHC? I needed their support for a zoning variance on my own home and they needed my help, so I volunteered to be on the Board.
Highlight of your board experience? Working hard on neighborhood issues and being rewarded with rich relationships with other Board members and feeling like an integral part of the community.
What you love about Park Hill? The sense of community, like a small town in a big city, with beautiful big trees, cool old houses of every shape and size, dog-friendly, and diverse neighbors!
District 6 – Jim King
Occupation: Retired from the City and County of Denver (H&V inspector).
What drew you to the GPHC? I wanted to be involved with the many changes that the residents of Park Hill were being confronted with.
What do you hope to accomplish on the board? My goal is as a board member will be to help the GPHC continue its positive outlook with the changes we see in the community.
What you love about Park Hill? I have been a resident of Park Hill since 1968. The diversity, transportation, change and growth has kept me in Park Hill because I have not found a better place in Denver to live.
District 7 – Roberta Locke
Incoming chair, featured in the November issue.
District 8 – Vacant
District 9 – Vacant
District 10 – Shannon O’Connell
Occupation: Project Manager, tw telecom.
Board activities: I serve on the Membership Committee, volunteer for the Home Tour and started the GPHC Food Pantry garden this summer.
What drew you to the GPHC? Ann Long’s first Garden Tour. I had recently moved into the neighborhood and saw an article in the Greater Park Hill News that volunteers were needed. I volunteered and have been involved with the neighborhood organization in one way or the other ever since.
Highlight of your board experience? The most recent highlight was seeing the GPHC patio transform into a flourishing garden.
What you love about Park Hill? Neighbors who know me by name and are always willing to lend a helping hand when needed, whether it be snow removal or a new landscaping project.
At-Large – Keith Brown
Occupation: I am an executive chef currently working at Jazz @ Jack’s in the Denver Pavilions and Centerplate Catering.
What drew you to the GPHC? I grew up in the Park Hill neighborhood and have been a resident since the early 70’s. There have been a lot of changes since then, some good and some bad. That said, I feel you don’t have the right to complain about issues you aren’t personally willing to help with. I am becoming more involved in the issues that impact the Greater Park Hill neighborhood. Our organization does not just influence our neighborhood, but can influence the lives and mentality of the people in Denver as a whole.
What do you hope to accomplish on the board? While on the board I would like to see programs like the Food Pantry and the issues of sustainable living and elder care addressed, expanded and improved. I feel that we as a community need to assist and protect our neighbors. The reason a council or board exists is to provide assistance or direction for those who need a voice, not to accommodate the desires of a privileged few. I want to see a future where community members don’t just give money, advice or criticism, but get involved and become aware of the people that their decisions affect.
What you love about Park Hill? I love Park Hill for the combination of affordable housing, sensible minds and access to the greatness of Colorado’s beauty. Open spaces, biking, walking paths, schools, and help for all in need, regardless of the simple politics.
At-Large – Melissa Davis
Occupation: Independent Contractor. I provide services for non-profit organizations including event planning, volunteer management, and writing newsletters. I also volunteer for the Park Hill Elementary School PTSA.
Board activities: I have served on the fundraising committee for the Evening of the Arts event hosted by GPHC. I have also represented GPHC at our information booth at various community events.
What drew you to the GPHC? Park Hill is a large and diverse community. I enjoy attending the community meetings to learn about issues and hot topics that affect the neighborhood as well as developing new relationships with members of the community.
Board goals? I hope to foster new relationships in the community which further the goals of the GPHC and improve the neighborhood experience. I would like to enable others to find ways to give back in their community. I want to amplify the collective voice of Park Hill residents in a manner which creates a greater sense of community and, where possible, be involved in the decisions which affect the community as a whole.
What you love about Park Hill? Park Hill is a wonderful place to raise a family! I love the diversity, location, mature trees and overall sense of community in Park Hill.
At-Large – Dave Felice
Occupation: Computer Technician, CenturyLink.
Board activities: Gather and share information, actively participate in deliberations and decision-making process.
What drew you to the GPHC? Everyone has an obligation and responsibility to participate in democratic process, at whatever level the individual is comfortable. GPHC provides many opportunities for involvement. I encourage everyone to participate in the affairs of the neighborhood, as a way of voting by action. This can be as simple as attending monthly board meetings or something more engaging such as a GPHC committee.
Highlight of your board experience?I enjoy making contact with people, sharing information, and helping people solve problems. Despite new information distribution methods, the city does a poor job of keeping residents informed in many instances. We need better communication in the neighborhood, and the neighborhood needs to be more closely connected to the larger community.
What you love about Park Hill? I appreciate and value cultural, ethnic, and architectural diversity. Park Hill maintains its original character as a close, neighborly urban community within the larger city. Still, it would be better with a diner.
At-Large – Thomas “Tommy” Gilhooly
Occupation: Owner, Oblio’s Pizzeria; V.P., EZ Pay Corporate.
Board activities: As Business Liaison, I work to connect local businesses, the GPHC, and Park Hill residents.
What drew you to GPHC? I have been a resident, business owner, teacher, fundraiser, event planner, and parent in Park Hill for 16 years. I wanted the opportunity to lend my experience to others in Park Hill who have questions on the what it means to operate or develop a business in our community.
Highlight of your board experience? New to the board, I am enjoying getting to know other board members on personal level.
What you love about Park Hill? First and foremost, I love the fact that we are truly a community. I love the fact that we have so many social opportunities: block parties, the Home Tour, Park Hill Family Bike Rides, the Fourth of July Parade, the Hebbards Chocolate Party, the Denver Daddy-Daughter Ball, the Eastmans’s Left-Right-Center fundraiser, Viva Streets, and so on! Park Hill is a place that fosters such a wonderful environment to raise a family. My children have had and will continue to have such great experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
At-Large – Getabecha “Gete” Mekonnen
Occupation: Executive Director, Northeast Denver Housing Center.
What drew you to the GPHC? I have lived in Park Hill and known about GPHC for the past 30 years. I have had opportunities to attend meetings in the 80’s and 90’s, have had some working relationship and have appreciated the rich history of diversity and positive stand residents took to make the community a better place to live in for all. This knowledge, first-hand experience and personal knowledge of those individuals that contributed to this effort (Marjorie Gilbert and Karen Salomon, to name two) drew me at this time to contribute by participating in GPHC, Inc.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? To the extent I can bring personal and professional experience addressing community need, I hope to contribute and help make our community a choice neighborhood for all.
What you love about Park Hill? Park Hill has stood apart from other neighborhoods in Denver because of its people, mature neighborhood, beautiful architecture and housing stock, and its proximity to many amenities within the urban core.
At-Large – Louis Plachowski
Occupation: Managing Broker Owner of Denver Welcome Home, LLC, a real estate brokerage.
What drew you to the GPHC? Want to give back to the community that has given me so much joy.
What do you hope to accomplish on the board? My many years of working with people and their homes have given me insight into how people relate to their community. I hope to share this information with the board.
What you love about Park Hill? Park Hill is a lovely, historic community with a wonderful diversified population and a strong neighborhood association. Also, the convenient, city close location, restaurants & shops, and proximity to City Park are all big pluses.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair, Roberta Locke, and Past Chair, LeAnn Anderson, were featured in the November Issue
Heather Shockey, see District 3
Secretary – Bernadette Kelly,
see District 5
Treasurer – Tracey MacDermott
Occupation: Clinical Trials Manager, University of Colorado.
Board activities: As the Treasurer, I manage the budget and finances for the organization.
What drew you to the GPHC? A zoning issue.
Highlight of your board experience? Moving our newspaper from a bleak budget issue to a self-sustaining, profitable entity.
What you love about Park Hill? Our diversity and willingness to make our community stronger and sustainable.
Safety Chair – Geneva Goldsby
Occupation: Retired from the University of Colorado
What drew you to the GPHC? Involvment in the community.
Highlight of your board experience? Support from members
What you love about Park Hill? Diversity.