Staff

Rob Hinkle

ROB HINKLE
Community Services Director
Rob moved to Estes Park at the beginning of 2016 and has over 25 years of experience organizing and producing events . He served as Chief Operating Officer for the World Games 2010 Foundation and has also worked for the Kentucky Horse Park and The Walt Disney Company. He earned degrees from Miami University and the University of Louisville.

rhinkle@estes.org
970-577-3901

Karen Lynch

KAREN SHEA
Sales & Marketing Manager
A longtime resident of Estes Park, Karen has been in her current position with the town since 2013. Previously, she worked at The Stanley Hotel, the Estes Park Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Mary's Lake Lodge. She has served as the president of the Estes Park Wedding Association and is well-connected throughout the area's hospitality and events industry.

kshea@estes.org
970-577-3956

Kevin McDonald

Kevin McDonald
Special Events Coordinator

Kevin joined the Events Complex staff in November of 2021. He is an event professional with expertise producing events for a variety of industries. Kevin has extensive experience organizing live and virtual events for trade, corporate, and non-profit entities; producing concerts and entertainment for the casino industry; organizing fairs and festivals, and developing professional sports entertainment. As an event organizer, he has produced successful events in top domestic and international media markets for spectators and live television.

Kevin attended Utah State University on a football staff scholarship, then studied Sports Management at the University of Iowa. A Des Moines, Iowa native, he moved to Estes Park in 2021 with his wife, Leilani, to ply his craft and pursue his passion of cycling, mountain biking, hiking, skiing. He and Lani have two adult children, Jared and Ava.

kmcdonald@estes.org
970-577-3905

Becky Gruhl

Becky Gruhl
Special Events Coordinator

Becky joined the Events Complex staff in December of 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 and studied Elementary Special Education. Later working in encryption and telecommunications with the Department of Defense. She moved to Estes Park in 2015 with her husband, Brad, to follow their dreams of living, working and playing in the mountains. Becky and Brad have 8 nieces and nephews, and enjoy serving this great community of Estes Park.

bgruhl@estes.org
970-577-3902

Brandie Hughes

Brandie recently moved to Estes Park after an eleven-year Recreation career at the City of Maricopa, Arizona, where she was a Recreation Coordinator. Brandie brings a diverse skill set to the Estes Park Events team. Brandie created and managed the first community center in Maricopa. Before managing this facility, she was a management analyst responsible for planning and managing numerous city events. Brandie also managed several city boards and commissions, including the Age Friendly Committee for senior citizens, Cultural and Arts, and the Parks Recreation and Library Committee. Prior to Maricopa, Brandie worked in the aerospace industry as a Purchasing Manager. She earned her degree in Recreation and Tourism Management from Northern Arizona University. Brandie and her husband Jim moved to Estes Park with their two children; they have seven children and five grandchildren. Hobbies include spending time with their children, hiking, skiing, and traveling.

bhughes@estes.org
970-577-3904

Stephanie Kephart

Stephanie Kephart
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie moved to Colorado in January, 2017 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Management. Her experience includes business & HR management, teaching, marketing, online media, and website development. She loves to volunteer and has been a part of the Murrieta Police Department, Temecula Citizen Corp., Regional Building and Local Design Committees. She is also a member of the International Honor Society in Business Administration - DMD, and the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT). Hobbies include spending time with her daughters, hiking, backpacking, camping, and reading.

skephart@estes.org
970-577-3903

Chris Biniek

Chris Biniek
Special Events Maintenance Worker
Chris moved to Drake in 2016 and has over 15 years of demolitions experience working on marine base in 29 Palms California. He got his irrigation license in Dallas, Texas and worked for the City of Frisco and Town of Prosper, installing and repairing parks and sport complexs. He enjoys camping, off roading, metal detecting, and fishing.

cbiniek@estes.org