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Age: 33

Occupation: Recently began as the marketing and development director for the Strings Music Festival

Place of birth: Strasburg, N.D. (birthplace of Lawrence Welk)

Q. When did you move to Routt County, and what brought you here?

A. My husband and I moved to Steamboat Springs two years ago when he was presented with a great career opportunity. I was a frequent visitor of the area and he a previous resident. We couldn't imagine a better place to raise our family.

Q. What's the biggest risk you've taken recently?

A. I recently returned to a full-time career after being a full-time mom to our two daughters, Margaux (age 3) and Claire (age 13 months).

Q. Describe your morning routine.

A. Coffee, coffee and a bit more coffee

Q. Has a book ever changed your life? What was it and why?

A. "A Movable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway. It is a beautiful tale of the author's life in Paris surrounded by other tremendously talented writers and artists. I became consumed with all things Paris and made a solo visit to the City of Lights at 17 years old, thinking I might still find some of that amazing cafe culture!

Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

A. The frequently abridged version of Winston Churchill's speech to schoolchildren: "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense."

Q. What three things would you want people to know about you?

A. 1) I love my family and friends fiercely, 2) I have an odd recollection of song lyrics and movie lines, and 3) I cherish the wonderful freedoms our country offers.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. I wanted to be a gas attendant or have my own hardware store. A wonderful man in the small town of my childhood delivered fuel to local farmers and had an endless supply of Bazooka bubblegum. I couldn't imagine a greater existence when I was 4 years old. My dad had a small hardware store, and I still love the smell of machinery.

Favorites

Book: Most recently, "Unaccustomed Earth" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Song: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles

Color: Green