Get to know us
Each member of the Events team brings something special to enhance your experience in event management and we think our gang is pretty fun.
Join the fun and meet the team
We consider each other famiily. By the end of your journey you will be a part of the Event family.
We are passionate
Every team member has the goal of success and is committed to enhancing your experience.

Why plan with us?

The Events Department has been organizing and coordinating events for decades. Our Town Signature Events have been an exciting part of the community along with fun festivals and markets. We work alongside organizations and individuals to support success.

Meet our team

Our team is a dedicated bunch. Each individual has been carefully selected based on their knowledge, expertise, and dedication to creating memorable events.

(Hover or click to learn more about each member)

Rob Hinkle

Director of Events & Visitor Services

Rob moved to Estes Park in 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in Event Management. He was the COO for the World Games 2010 Foundation and has worked at the Kentucky Horse Park and Disney. Rob holds degrees from Miami University and the University of Louisville.

rhinkle@estes.org
970-577-3901

Karen Shea

Sales & Marketing Manager

Karen, a longtime Estes Park resident, has held her current role since 2013. She previously worked at The Stanley Hotel, the Estes Park Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Mary’s Lake Lodge. Karen has served as president of the Estes Park Wedding Association and is well-connected in the local hospitality and events industry.

kshea@estes.org
970-577-3956

Brendan McLoughlin

Operations Supervisor

Brendan has 8+ yrs of experience in forestry and event management. He has worked as a Forestry Supervisor and Crew Lead for the City of Aurora, and has experience as a Wildland Firefighter with the North Carolina Forest Service. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Biology.

bmcloughline@estes.org
970-577-3910

Stephanie Kephart

Administrative Assistant

Stephanie relocated to Colorado in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Management. She has extensive experience in business management, HR, and Marketing. A dedicated volunteer, she has supported local police, emergency response teams, and civic committees.

skephart@estes.org
970-577-3903

Becky Gruhl

Special Events Coordinator

Becky joined the Events Department in 2022. She is an experienced CEO and Director of Nonprofit Organizations with her specialty in Feeding America affiliated Food Banks, Food Pantries and Volunteer Management. Becky attended the University of Northern Iowa. Beck has also worked in encryption and telecommunications for the DoD.

bgruhl@estes.org
970-577-3902

Kayleigh Schissel

Special Events Coordinator

Kayleigh joined the events team in 2024. A Colorado native with a Criminal Justice degree, she brings experience from the restaurant, distillery, and dance industries. Passionate about creating memorable experiences, Kayleigh enjoys building connections and crafting engaging atmospheres for all.

kschissel@estes.org
970-577-3904

Maddie Hodge

Special Events Coordinator

Maddie Hodge has resided within Estes Park and Front Range Colorado since 2018 and loves calling this mountain town her home!
 
For over 6+ years, she has been in the large-scale trade show, weddings, and non-profit events industries as well. Working with companies such as Outdoor Retailer, Bonfire Entertainment, Wild Basin Lodge, Climbing Wall Association, and many more. On the weekend, she loves spending time in the mountains and the alpines in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

mhodge@estes.org
970-577-3905

Chris Biniek

Maintenance Lead

Chris moved to Drake in 2016, bringing over 15 years of demolition experience from his work on a Marine base in 29 Palms, California. Licensed in irrigation, he also managed parks and sports complexes in Frisco and Prosper, Texas.

cbiniek@estes.org
970-577-3900

Dylan Faflick

Maintenance Worker

Dylan joined the Events Department in 2024. He has a passion for music and has been playing guitar since age 10, inspired by Led Zeppelin IV. He studied diverse styles, from rock and funk to jazz and acoustic fingerstyle, and earned a degree in Guitar Performance and Recording Arts from the University of Colorado Denver. With over 11 years of experience in the Denver music scene, Dylan teaches guitar, bass, and ukulele, tailoring lessons to each student’s unique learning style.

dfaflick@estes.org
970-577-3900

Justin DiGiovanni

Maintenance Worker

​Justin joined the Event Department in 2024. He moved to Estes Park in 2019 and is a Florida native. Justin worked as a sports photographer for Disney, and his passion for photography brought him to Colorado to spend time capturing its natural beauty.

jdigiovanni@estes.org
970-577-3900