Mike Forney  -   was selected as 2009 Rotarian of the Year for D5440 by DG Stu Palmer, the year Mike was President of RC of Steamboat Springs. He is retired and currently serves as PR Chairman for D5440, is a District Visioning Facilitator and Rotary Leadership Institute Instructor.  Mike served the District as Group Study Exchange team leader to Australia in 2010.  Mike was born and raised in Livingston, MT, working in the local radio station after high school. He went on to form a nationwide mortgage company that he sold to a large holding company before moving to Steamboat Springs in early 2000s.  Mike is a pilot and volunteers with the Angel Flight Organization.  He serves on several boards in the Steamboat Springs community.  Mike's wife Janet is a librarian and raises horses in her spare time.  

 

Julie Phares  is D5440 Trainer and serves on the District Executive Committee.  Julie is a past president of the RC of Estes Park and organized the newly chartered (2010) RC of Long's Peak where she serves as interim president.   Julie's district training has her coordinating all aspects of Rotary education within D5440.  She is a facilitator with Club Visioning and an instructor with Rotary Leadership Institute.  Julie and her Rotarian husband, Charles, organized the successful community fundraiser, Estes Park Sings.  Julie was named Rotarian of the Year in 2006 by then DG John Patton of Sheridan, WY.   Julie is a property and liability insurance agent in the Estes Park community and grew up in rural Nebraska.