Tom Downing- President
Tom has been a full-time Realtor since 2003 and is proud to be part of the #1 Independent Real Estate firm in Colorado Springs, The Platinum Group, REALTORS! Tom is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), and Quality Service Certified QSC. He takes the time to really understand his clients’ needs and goals and works, to educate them as part of the process of finding them a home. His confidence and capability puts his clients at ease. Customer service is his first priority. He enjoys spending time with his clients, often developing long-term friendships with them.
Tom graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Tom served as a fire fighter in the Air Force for twenty years, and moved several times so he is an expert in helping people with their relocations!
In 1997, Tom moved to Colorado Springs with his beautiful wife Lacene of twenty five years and their two children. He is community servant as he is active with the Lions Club, Softball, and was the President of the School Board for Fountain Fort Carson School District Eight for 8 years.
Tom has been a full-time Realtor since 2003 and is proud to be part of the #1 Independent Real Estate firm in Colorado Springs, The Platinum Group, REALTORS! Tom is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), and Quality Service Certified QSC. He takes the time to really understand his clients’ needs and goals and works, to educate them as part of the process of finding them a home. His confidence and capability puts his clients at ease. Customer service is his first priority. He enjoys spending time with his clients, often developing long-term friendships with them.
Tom graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Tom served as a fire fighter in the Air Force for twenty years, and moved several times so he is an expert in helping people with their relocations!
In 1997, Tom moved to Colorado Springs with his beautiful wife Lacene of twenty five years and their two children. He is community servant as he is active with the Lions Club, Softball, and was the President of the School Board for Fountain Fort Carson School District Eight for 8 years.
Carlos Lozano - Vice President
Carlos joined the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region in January 2015 as Operations Director for the Fountain Valley YMCA. He is a mission driven leader with a passion for serving youth and families. Recently he has taken over as Executive Director for the Southeast Family and Armed Services Y and The Fountain Valley Y. Carlos will focus on bringing new and enhanced programs and services to better meet the growing needs the community. He plans to get engaged with City and School committees to keep a strong awareness of the overall community.
Prior to coming to the Pikes Peak Region, Carlos worked for the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greater Houston where he served in various leadership roles overseeing programming and operations.
Carlos is married to his wife Stephanie and they have 2 wonderful children, Ashlynne 14 and Gavin 7. In his free time, Carlos enjoys spending time with his family as well as enjoying the outdoors, and all sports either as a fan or a participant.
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Carlos joined the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region in January 2015 as Operations Director for the Fountain Valley YMCA. He is a mission driven leader with a passion for serving youth and families. Recently he has taken over as Executive Director for the Southeast Family and Armed Services Y and The Fountain Valley Y. Carlos will focus on bringing new and enhanced programs and services to better meet the growing needs the community. He plans to get engaged with City and School committees to keep a strong awareness of the overall community.
Prior to coming to the Pikes Peak Region, Carlos worked for the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greater Houston where he served in various leadership roles overseeing programming and operations.
Carlos is married to his wife Stephanie and they have 2 wonderful children, Ashlynne 14 and Gavin 7. In his free time, Carlos enjoys spending time with his family as well as enjoying the outdoors, and all sports either as a fan or a participant.
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Katie Widau- Executive Director of Plans and Operations
Katie Widau is owner of Widau Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance. She has been an insurance agent since 2000 and worked as claims liaison for 5 of those years. She grew up on a small farm in Indiana and attended Indiana University. She lived in Indiana most of her life before moving to Colorado. Before coming to Fountain Valley, she was involved in mentoring students at the local middle school and worked as Distribution Manager at Elanco Animal Health. Katie is focused on community and engaged to assist where there is need. Katie currently provides school supplies on a regular basis for teachers in the local community to help ease this burden and allow them to focus their attention on their students. She also assists 21st Century Guardians with funds to help at the Community Soup Kitchen several times a year. Katie is married to Steve and they have 5 children and 7 granddaughters. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as outdoor activities.
Katie Widau is owner of Widau Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance. She has been an insurance agent since 2000 and worked as claims liaison for 5 of those years. She grew up on a small farm in Indiana and attended Indiana University. She lived in Indiana most of her life before moving to Colorado. Before coming to Fountain Valley, she was involved in mentoring students at the local middle school and worked as Distribution Manager at Elanco Animal Health. Katie is focused on community and engaged to assist where there is need. Katie currently provides school supplies on a regular basis for teachers in the local community to help ease this burden and allow them to focus their attention on their students. She also assists 21st Century Guardians with funds to help at the Community Soup Kitchen several times a year. Katie is married to Steve and they have 5 children and 7 granddaughters. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as outdoor activities.
Carola Rafferty - Treasurer
Carola Rafferty has been a Tax Preparer for about 10 years and is the owner of Carola’s Tax Assistance LLC. She has successfully completed her Registered Tax Preparer Exam in 2012 and has founded her business here in Fountain in March of 2015. Carola’s Tax Assistance LLC offers professional tax preparation for individuals and small businesses as well as monthly bookkeeping and payroll services.
Carola is originally from Germany, has been married to her husband over 13 years and have 3 wonderful children, Charlize 12, Shannon 8 and Michaela 5.
Carola enjoys spending time with friends and family also has a special interest in helping small business owners grow their business in our community through networking as well as providing valuable information.
Carola Rafferty has been a Tax Preparer for about 10 years and is the owner of Carola’s Tax Assistance LLC. She has successfully completed her Registered Tax Preparer Exam in 2012 and has founded her business here in Fountain in March of 2015. Carola’s Tax Assistance LLC offers professional tax preparation for individuals and small businesses as well as monthly bookkeeping and payroll services.
Carola is originally from Germany, has been married to her husband over 13 years and have 3 wonderful children, Charlize 12, Shannon 8 and Michaela 5.
Carola enjoys spending time with friends and family also has a special interest in helping small business owners grow their business in our community through networking as well as providing valuable information.
Patricia St. Louis- Board Member
Geof Clark - - Executive Director of Logistics and Communications
Geof has been a Chamber Board Member since 2015. He has been the Advertising Manager at the El Paso County and Fountain Valley News for the past 29 years. Geof is originally from upstate New York attending SUNY Morrisville, NY and the University of Kansas. In 1988 Geof moved to the Fountain Valley area and has been an active member of the community ever since.
Geof has been a Chamber Board Member since 2015. He has been the Advertising Manager at the El Paso County and Fountain Valley News for the past 29 years. Geof is originally from upstate New York attending SUNY Morrisville, NY and the University of Kansas. In 1988 Geof moved to the Fountain Valley area and has been an active member of the community ever since.
John Trylch - Board Member
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) John J. Trylch enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 years old, first serving as a Medical Specialist (91B), until receiving an ROTC Scholarship at Colorado State University and then a commission as an Armor Officer in 1997. After almost 10 years in the combat arms and tours in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq, John was selected to become an Army Foreign Area Officer, specializing in the Western Hemisphere. He finished his military career working on security and defense cooperation matters all across Latin America. Upon retirement, John joined the City of Fountain as the City’s first Community Engagement Manager.
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) John J. Trylch enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 years old, first serving as a Medical Specialist (91B), until receiving an ROTC Scholarship at Colorado State University and then a commission as an Armor Officer in 1997. After almost 10 years in the combat arms and tours in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq, John was selected to become an Army Foreign Area Officer, specializing in the Western Hemisphere. He finished his military career working on security and defense cooperation matters all across Latin America. Upon retirement, John joined the City of Fountain as the City’s first Community Engagement Manager.
Ashley Sabye - Board Member
Ashley Sabye is the Marketing & PR Specialist for DaVita Medical Group. She attended Colorado State University Pueblo earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Ashley brings experience in business development, marketing, social media, event planning, and graphic design. She was raised in the Fountain Valley area, making it easy to mix her knowledge of business/marketing with her passion for her community. Ashley became a FVCC Board Member to personally and professionally contribute to the community.
Ashley Sabye is the Marketing & PR Specialist for DaVita Medical Group. She attended Colorado State University Pueblo earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Ashley brings experience in business development, marketing, social media, event planning, and graphic design. She was raised in the Fountain Valley area, making it easy to mix her knowledge of business/marketing with her passion for her community. Ashley became a FVCC Board Member to personally and professionally contribute to the community.