The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) is excited to announce new leadership within its Executive Committee.

The planned, coordinated transition allows CCCF to move forward responsibly, continuing its mission of serving Chaffee County, fostering philanthropy and supporting local nonprofits.

The current, elected CCCF Executive Committee includes: Megan Leesley, Board Chair; Paul Alexander, Vice Chair; Rick Hum, Treasurer; and Katie Davis, Secretary. This dynamic team offers over 95 cumulative years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and business sectors. Former Secretary and Founder’s Circle member, Wendy Hall, is focusing her continued board service on inspiring philanthropy by playing a leadership role on the Development Committee.

Megan Leesley recently replaced Dr. Edward Cooper as elected Board Chair. As a local CPA and CVA, Leesley specializes in tax planning, preparation, and valuations for small businesses and individuals. Leesley has served on several nonprofit boards and has been an active member of CCCF since 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys much of what the county has to offer whether it be paddling/fishing on the Arkansas River, hiking and snowshoeing, mountain biking, snowboarding or soaking in local hot springs.

“I love living and working in this community, and I’m thrilled to lead an organization whose mission it is to see it thrive. I’m so thankful for Ed’s leadership, vision and dedication to CCCF over the past four years, and I’m excited to have this opportunity to lead the Foundation into a new chapter and continue to ignite CCCF’s response to community needs,” said Leesley.

In handing the reins to Leesley, Cooper said, “It has been an inspiring and humbling experience to lead CCCF from an idea to a true community service organization. I am grateful for the thousands of volunteer hours which enabled CCCF to grow services to nonprofit organizations and distribute millions of dollars to the Chaffee community. The newly elected leaders are ready

and capable to take the Foundation to the next phase of inspiring and fostering collaboration and philanthropy for Chaffee County.”

Merrell Bergin, Founder’s Circle member and former CCCF Treasurer, chose not to continue as Treasurer, as his 3-year term concludes. “It’s been personally and professionally rewarding to move CCCF’s financial systems from paper and spreadsheets to leading-edge community foundation software. With two other roles in the community, I’m striving for more balance in this, my fourth year of retirement from the corporate world,” Bergin said.

He continued, “With Rick Hum taking on the role of Treasurer and adding Kristen Hussey, CPA, to the Finance Committee, we have increased our financial team’s strength. I’m confident they will rise to the challenge, as CCCF moves from a startup to a rapidly growing and mature asset.”

CCCF sincerely thanks Cooper and Bergin’s dedication and vision, and with the foundation they helped to build, CCCF is in a strong position to continue its philanthropic and collaborative mission.

CCCF’s Board also includes the following members: Wendy Hall, Rachele Vierthaler, Bonnie Davis, John Vandewalle and Aaron Oglesby.

To read more about CCCF’s Board, please visit https://www.chaffeecommunity.org/board-staff.