What is ACRA Biz Lab?
Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) offers members an exclusive opportunity to join the ACRA Biz Lab. The ACRA Biz Lab connects trusted, cross-industry leaders who value innovation, share best practices, and foster business development opportunities.
Vision Statement: Elevate and connect local industry business leaders.
Mission Statement: The ACRA Biz Lab connects trusted, cross-industry leaders who value innovation, share best practices, and foster business development opportunities. Our mission is to create trusted business connections and authentic partnerships as a catalyst for our community to thrive.
2024 Goals:
- Establish interconnectedness
- Foster innovation
- Increase visibility
- Enhance the depth and breadth of discussion
- Provide structured discussions based on member-requested topics
- Attract and retain 15 engaged ACRA Biz Lab members
ACRA Biz Lab meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. for a round table discussion facilitated by Aspen Chamber Resort Association Membership staff.
- The ACRA Biz Lab offers new ways to connect with peers in a safe, comfortable setting to promote local business growth.
- The ACRA Biz Lab is limited to 15 members. Participants must be an owner, manager, or employee of an active ACRA member business.
- The ACRA Biz Lab is an annual investment of $250.
- All prospective members must submit their applications by May 28, 2024.
- Accepted members must pay invoice by June 3, 2024.
Meet the Founding Members of the ACRA Biz Lab
John Cibulsky at Vectra Bank
Vectra Bank practices “proactive relationship banking,” which means we get to know our clients well with the goal of providing them with the knowledge, expertise, and solutions to help them succeed. Vectra has been proudly serving the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly 30 years.
John Cibulsky is VP of Commercial Banking at Vectra’s Aspen and El Jebel branches, bringing over 20 years of experience. He is a passionate advocate for his clients, and enjoys finding creative solutions to new challenges. John serves on the board for Roaring Fork Cycling and Aspen Cycling Club. He has lived in the Valley since 2015, and enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, and camping.
Lisa Baker at Kelly Klee Private Insurance
Lisa Baker is an insurance professional with Kelly Klee Private Client Insurance. Kelly Klee specializes in insuring successful families by offering protection for assets that mass market insurers don't fully cover. We work with the industry's most prestigious insurance carriers including AIG, Chubb, Cincinnati Financial, and Pure. Kelly Klee is licensed to insure homes, autos, and valuables in all 50 States.
Jami McMannes at Community Office for Resource Efficiency (C.O.R.E.)
Jami is a communications and public engagement professional primarily serving in the public sector. She supports the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) by sharing its mission of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enlisting Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield County communities to take action on climate change, specifically in the built environment.
CORE is a 501(c)(3) donor-funded nonprofit that helps people make their buildings more energy-efficient. CORE bridges the gap between aspiration and action by offering funding and advice to business owners and homeowners so they can make improvements to their properties that reduce energy and emissions.
Candace Cross at CC Management Services
CCMSI provides business operations consulting and project management. Services include developing financial reports and business plans, supporting human resources initiatives, improving management systems, writing key business communications, and managing critical business projects. Owner Candace Cross is an IBM-trained consultant with 30 years experience in operations, sales, marketing, communications, people management, planning and administration, with for-profit and non-profit businesses in a variety of industries.
Simon Dogbe at Northwestern Mutual
I’m a Financial Advisor specializing in Financial Planning. I meet you where you are, then give you multiple strategies designed to take you where you want to go. First we look at your Risk Management to stop you from going backwards (debt management, insurance) then focus on wealth building/ management for pre-retirement, retirement, education or estate planning. We use only the highest rated products with a focus on tax efficiencies and work on the scale of Individuals, Families and Businesses.
Kim Allen at iTrip Aspen Snowmass
iTrip Aspen Snowmass is a locally owned and managed vacation rental property management company with marketing done by a national franchise. This combination creates a perfect balance of on the ground attention to the vacation rental and the guest and the ability to market the rentals to a broad audience, how they want to book. With over 90 rental units and a solid reputation for 5 star guest service, iTrip Aspen Snowmass is a great choice for owners and guests looking to work with a local company focused on providing the best vacation rental experience.
Justin Nyberg at Holland & Hart
My legal practice centers on real estate transactions and development, with a particular focus on matters unique to Pitkin County and Aspen. What sets H&H apart from other local firms is while we have six local attorneys, we are part of a firm of more than 400 lawyers in 15 offices around the Mountain West. That means that in addition to the local real estate expertise we provide, we can provide highly-specialized advice for any complex matter a client needs assistance with, including financing, trusts/estates, water, corporate, tax, IP, and others.
Christine Ziminski at Audemars Piguet
My name is Christine Ziminski and I moved to the Valley from Long Island New York in September 2021 to open our Aspen Audemars Piguet Boutique. I have been worked for this very special brand for 6 years and have quickly come to fall in love with Aspen and the surrounding Valley both personally and professionally.
Brian Zager at Phomo Media
Phomo Media, a photography and videography company based in Aspen Colorado, is owned and operated by Brian Zager. Phomo Media's motto is "Be There." And Brian's work does just that - he memorializes a special time in a special place. The beautiful scenery doesn't hurt. And clients treasure his work both professionally and personally.
Brian's work has been featured in national ad campaigns as well as publications including the New York Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and US Magazine.
Brian is a certified drone pilot with the FAA, volunteers with Challenge Aspen, and is a graduate of Emory University and USC's School of Cinematic Arts.
Beth Olsen at Elizabeth Jane Olsen LLC
Under the creative direction of Beth Olsen, Elizabeth Jane Olsen is an interdisciplinary interior and exterior design firm that thrives on innovative, sustainable and collaborative solutions to improve individual health and wellness in the built environment. Through architecture, interior and exterior design, lighting and art combined with health and wellness programming, we find sophisticated and client driven solutions to build a complex design narrative filled with art, play, nutrition, clarity, movement, and work to enable healthier, more efficient and joyous live and work spaces.
Bobby Kunkle at Kemo Sabe
Bobby Kunkle is Owner and Treasurer at Kemo Sabe, a high-end Western wear retailer, with locations in Aspen CO, Vail CO, Jackson WY, Park City UT, Round Top TX and Whitefish MT.
Bobby first joined Kemo Sabe as a consultant, to advise on financial and operational issues. Not content with just improving finances and operations, he took the reins, and purchased the company in February 2020. Bobby evaluated the company's worth, revolutionized internet sales, built a state-of-the-art production facility, expanded to new locations, and supercharged cash flow.
Prior to his cowboy adventures at Kemo Sabe, Bobby worked in banking for 18 years. As an expert in interest rate risk management at KeyBank, he navigated the complex world of derivatives for various institutions and organizations, ranging from healthcare to Native American groups. He also made his mark at KeyBank Capital Markets, originating bonds for private schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations.
Scott Garcia at Legacy Private Wealth Partners
Legacy Private Wealth Partners Mission: Our mission is the efficient utilization of best practices through best-in-class resources and strategic partners in order to deliver the highest quality of advice and value to all of our clients. We specialize in advanced financial and estate management planning as a foundation for risk management and investment advice for High Net Worth clients.
Jillian Livingston at Aspen Business Connect
We are a reputable digital media company that has established a trusted professional referral network and directory known as Aspen Business Connect. Our members are actively engaged in leading discussions, hosting mixers, and regularly meeting to build business relationships and address each other's needs.