Vice President Estes Park EDC

Adam Shake

Adam Shake is the Vice President of the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation. Prior to arriving in Estes Park, Shake served as the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Agency Program Manager. Since his arrival in Estes Park, Shake has served on the boards of Visit Estes Park, Estes Valley Partners for Commerce, Rocky Mountain Performing Arts Center and Flinch Forward as well as volunteering for many other community initiatives.

Business Consultant

Jason Owens

Jason has been working as an entrepreneur and with entrepreneurs for over 15 years. First, he was a business coach in the early 2000’s, and later became an internal coach at a Fortune 500 financial services company. It was this assignment where Jason became quite passionate about new entrepreneurs.

Owens received a BS degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University, and he holds an MBA from Thomas More College. Jason has worked on a doctoral degree where researched ways to improve the success rate of new business start-ups.

Jason is a published author and has delivered 40+ workshops throughout the Southeast.

Jason and his wife of 23 years, Karen, recently relocated to Estes Park, Colorado.

General Consultant

Kent Smith

Kent is a Colorado native who grew up in Englewood, attended Colorado State College and the University of Northern Colorado. His degrees are in history, historical research, economics and geography. After teaching for a few years in the 60’s he returned to the family sign business and has operated Smith Sign Studio full time since 1972. As a specialist in gold leaf signs, he wrote the textbook, Gold Leaf Techniques for sign painters which is now in its 4th edition. After 40 plus years in Greeley he moved his family and business to Estes Park. With an interest in civic involvement, he has been the Vice President of Estes Valley Partners for Commerce and their representative to the Estes Park Economic Development Corp. board. He chairs the Entrepreneur Center committee and serves on the Strategic Planning committee for the EDC. Smith Sign Studio is a Give Back Business Partner with Estes Park Non-Profit Resource Center.

Marketing Consultant

Rich Chiappe

Rich began his career in sales for large corporations transitioning to business development for multiple high tech startups before eventually building his own businesses. Most recently, he helped his business partners grow their aviation manufacturing business from $1M to over $5M in annual sales becoming the industry leader in their space.

After raising their three children, Rich and his wife moved to Estes Park where they now own and operate a very successful lodging business.

Rich holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas and loves helping fellow business owners create, stimulate and grow opportunities for their businesses.