Board Members
Jasen Brown
Jasen Brown joined the BWL Board in March of 2022. He grew up in Breckenridge CO where he was an avid skier and ski racer. In 2016 Jasen and his family relocated to the Valley to return to the mountain life style. This has afforded his family to spend valuable hours on the hill bonding over snow and hot coco. Jasen’s daughter joined BWL in 2021 and he regained the passion for ski racing that he had in his younger years.
Graham Danzoll
Graham Danzoll began his Buddy Werner journey in 2016 alongside his daughter when she signed up for her first year in the program. Since then, he has been involved as a parent and occasionally a substitute coach, but likes to think of himself as “one of the kids” out there on the hill. Graham joined the board in the spring of 2023 to help give back to the program so other kids can continue to benefit from the Buddy Werner way. Graham grew up skiing in the foothills of the Berkshires in New England but fell in love with Colorado and has been a resident of the Vail valley for over 30 years. He lives with his family, Teressa, Ben & Lily in Eagle.
Doug Jimenez
Doug has lived in the Vail Valley for over 25 years. He’s been involved in BWL as a parent and as
a volunteer since 2021 when his family joined the BWL program.
His entire family likes the outdoors and to help the community, they all believe in the BWL
mission and purpose. Doug saw the great value in the program and the great fun that kids and
families have through the winter season while participating. This is the main reason why Doug
joined the BWL Board (Fall of 2024). Doug has also served on several other local community
Boards.
Doug is an active cyclist and skier, and an avid outdoor enthusiastic. He lives in Avon with his
family, Perla, Ian and Sara.
Meggen Kirkham
Meggen Kirkham has been involved with BWL since 2015 as a coach. With her oldest daughter, Kylie, now moving on to become a Junior Coach and her youngest daughter, Ashlyn, skiing with a fantastic team, Meggen is excited to join the board this year!
As a native of Vail, growing up skiing in BWL, she is thrilled to become more involved as a board member and make an impact to this incredible program. She is an avid skier/telemarker, and enjoys skiing as much as possible! Meggen owns her own marketing agency and when not working, you’ll find her skiing, biking, SUPing, trail running, hiking, camping, traveling and volunteering at her children’s schools and dance studio. The Kirkham’s live in Eagle Vail.
Jim Harper
Jim Harper’s love for skiing started the moment he moved from Boston Massachusetts to Boulder Colorado in 1991. Jim started coaching Buddy Werner several years ago when his daughter Ava wanted to be a ski racer. He knows many of the facets of being a part of the BWL family. Since then, Jim has had many different roles, from helping coach and managing many different aspects of a team. When he’s not running his plumbing company, he’s on the mountain with a smile on his face. He was always happy to be coaching the kids on his team. His passion for the sport is undeniable and he is even more excited to share it with you and be a part of the BWL board!
Bill Davis
Bill grew up skiing in upstate New York and started instructing at a small area outside of Saratoga Springs named Alpine Meadows. He also taught at Gore Mountain in New York. In 1987 he moved to Colorado and started teaching at Vail where he is still teaching.
Bill has coached both of his kids in Buddy Werner from 2grade and through 8grade – 10 years! His youngest just aged out so it is going to be weird not coaching next year. But being on the board is the next logical step which I am really looking forward to helping everyone in the program. His other loves are golf, cycling, camping, hiking and he is a history wonk.
Laura Merlihan
Laura’s oldest son joined BWL in 2014. After skiing as a parent with Liams team, she quickly became passionate about the organization and has coached her son Cutler’s team for the past 7years. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, her family went on ski vacations to Colorado every year since 1977. This sparked her love for skiing and the mountains and she moved to the vail Valley in 2002. Laura has been a dental hygienist for 30 years. Laura joined the BWL board in March of 2022 and when she heard Dana was passing the torch, it was at a perfect time in her life to take the challenge of being the new administrator for the Buddy Werner League!
Recent Past Board Members
Thank you for all of your dedication to BWL over ALL the years!
Chris Kehoe
Retired in June of 2023 after 5 years on the board and 3 years coaching.
Chris Kehoe has been with the Buddy Werner League since 2012 as a parent and he began volunteering as a coach in 2015 when he heard about a need for coaches and to be involved with his kids and their peers developing as skiers and racers. Chris’s family is also quite involved in BWL. His wife Heather has been a BWL coach since 2013 and raced in this same BWL club in Vail in the ’70s.(It is all her fault) His son Jeremiah and daughter Wynter also participate in BWL teams. During the warmer months you can find Chris and his family on the mountain bike trails or the rivers in western Colorado.
Chris Kehoe has been with the Buddy Werner League since 2012 as a parent and he began volunteering as a coach in 2015 when he heard about a need for coaches and to be involved with his kids and their peers developing as skiers and racers. Chris’s family is also quite involved in BWL. His wife Heather has been a BWL coach since 2013 and raced in this same BWL club in Vail in the ’70s.(It is all her fault) His son Jeremiah and daughter Wynter also participate in BWL teams. During the warmer months you can find Chris and his family on the mountain bike trails or the rivers in western Colorado.
Loren Burnett
Retired in March of 2022 after 4 years on the board.
Loren Burnett and his family live in Niwot and Avon. They have been coming to Beaver Creek since 2005 and he has coached a BWL team since 2015. Loren has three kids in BWL; Cielle, Devi and Zander. His kids love the combination and balance of all-mountain skiing and racing. Loren believes that BWL is a terrific program. He says, “Having a program that is substantially all volunteer, makes a huge difference in the quality of BWL. Volunteer coaches, parents and friends of BWL are a great indication of their commitment to BWL. Ultimately, this results in a great experience for the kids. I love this program and look forward to serving on the BWL Board.”
Loren Burnett and his family live in Niwot and Avon. They have been coming to Beaver Creek since 2005 and he has coached a BWL team since 2015. Loren has three kids in BWL; Cielle, Devi and Zander. His kids love the combination and balance of all-mountain skiing and racing. Loren believes that BWL is a terrific program. He says, “Having a program that is substantially all volunteer, makes a huge difference in the quality of BWL. Volunteer coaches, parents and friends of BWL are a great indication of their commitment to BWL. Ultimately, this results in a great experience for the kids. I love this program and look forward to serving on the BWL Board.”
Rianne Davis
Retired in March of 2022 after 14 years on the board.
RiAnne Davis has lived in Eagle County since 1997. She works for the Beaver Creek Race Department and coaches the Eagle Valley High School Alpine Team. Her son Jackson has been with BWL since 2007 and her son Lincoln since 2013. She has served on the Board since 2007 and she enjoys being a part of BWL because of what the program stands for, and all the smiles that she sees on contact days. When she is not at BWL she is up on the hill timing ski races for the BC race department. She has a love for all the outdoor activities winter and summer.
RiAnne Davis has lived in Eagle County since 1997. She works for the Beaver Creek Race Department and coaches the Eagle Valley High School Alpine Team. Her son Jackson has been with BWL since 2007 and her son Lincoln since 2013. She has served on the Board since 2007 and she enjoys being a part of BWL because of what the program stands for, and all the smiles that she sees on contact days. When she is not at BWL she is up on the hill timing ski races for the BC race department. She has a love for all the outdoor activities winter and summer.
Beth Chabot
Retired in March of 2018 after 8 years
Beth Chabot has lived in Eagle County for since 1997 years and is actively involved in the local community. Both her children are avid skiers; her daughter a participant in the Buddy Werner league and her son a participant in the Park & Pipe program with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. She joined the board of directors for Buddy Werner League of Vail/Beaver Creek in 2010 ago and is proud to be a part of an affordable ski program for local families. When not travelling to surrounding resort areas for business, she loves to ski, paddleboard, hike and travel the world with her family. In her free time, she is a volunteer for The Youth Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Beth Chabot has lived in Eagle County for since 1997 years and is actively involved in the local community. Both her children are avid skiers; her daughter a participant in the Buddy Werner league and her son a participant in the Park & Pipe program with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. She joined the board of directors for Buddy Werner League of Vail/Beaver Creek in 2010 ago and is proud to be a part of an affordable ski program for local families. When not travelling to surrounding resort areas for business, she loves to ski, paddleboard, hike and travel the world with her family. In her free time, she is a volunteer for The Youth Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Mike Brown
Retired in 2024
Mike Brown joined the BWL board in 2015 after coaching his daughter in the League for many years. Mike is a BWL Legacy as his parents founded our great League in 1968 and he and his siblings grew up with the program. Mike went on to ski at the Vail Ski Club and made his way through the World Cup Circuit and onto the US Ski Team. He has coached his daughter Maddy since 2012. In 2014 he was inducted in the CO Ski Hall of Fame
Jim Mires
Retired in June of 2023 after 8 years on the board and many years as a coach.
Jim Mires joined the BWL board in 2015 after coaching his daughters in the League for many years. He is dedicated to helping our BWL youth improve as skiers and as racers and has become an excellent course setter for our races. He also has continued to coach even though his daughters have aged out. In his spare time, Jim likes to ride his unicyle. He and his family live in Eagle.
Jim Mires joined the BWL board in 2015 after coaching his daughters in the League for many years. He is dedicated to helping our BWL youth improve as skiers and as racers and has become an excellent course setter for our races. He also has continued to coach even though his daughters have aged out. In his spare time, Jim likes to ride his unicyle. He and his family live in Eagle.
Jim Childers
Retired in June of 2022 after 22 years on the board.
Jim Childers has lived and worked in Edwards since 1999. He has volunteered with Buddy Werner in several capacities since 2000 including serving as a Board Member since 2006. Jim believes that BWL is a worthwhile program and continues to serve although he has not had a child of his own in the program since 2008. Jim also enjoys 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, water skiing, being outdoors and spending time with his family.
Jim Childers has lived and worked in Edwards since 1999. He has volunteered with Buddy Werner in several capacities since 2000 including serving as a Board Member since 2006. Jim believes that BWL is a worthwhile program and continues to serve although he has not had a child of his own in the program since 2008. Jim also enjoys 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, water skiing, being outdoors and spending time with his family.
Dana Maurer
Retiring in 2022 after 9 years on the board and 6 years before that.
Dana Maurer has been with the league since 2008 as a parent and 2013 as the Club Administrator. Dana was drawn to the BWL Program because of the volunteer aspect of it. It seemed much more user friendly for her family of 3 kids and allowed her and her husband Brian to be a part of their children’s ski racing experience. She loves to ski with her family in the winter and run, paddleboard and camp with them in the summer.
Dana Maurer has been with the league since 2008 as a parent and 2013 as the Club Administrator. Dana was drawn to the BWL Program because of the volunteer aspect of it. It seemed much more user friendly for her family of 3 kids and allowed her and her husband Brian to be a part of their children’s ski racing experience. She loves to ski with her family in the winter and run, paddleboard and camp with them in the summer.
Cyndi Gershenoff
Retired in March 2016 after 10 years
Cyndi Gershenoff is a Colorado native and has lived in the valley for over 25 years. She is a graduate of CU and has two daughters who went through BWL. Cyndi works in Human Resources and is an on-call chauffeur for both girls. “I love nothing more than cheering on Hannah and Beka while following their passions and also enjoy being outdoors and staying active” says Gershanoff. She was involved with Buddy Werner for 11 years – 10 of those years on the board.
Cyndi Gershenoff is a Colorado native and has lived in the valley for over 25 years. She is a graduate of CU and has two daughters who went through BWL. Cyndi works in Human Resources and is an on-call chauffeur for both girls. “I love nothing more than cheering on Hannah and Beka while following their passions and also enjoy being outdoors and staying active” says Gershanoff. She was involved with Buddy Werner for 11 years – 10 of those years on the board.
Chris Packert
Retired in 2023
Chris Packert joined the BWL Board in March of 2022. He works for US Ski & Snowboard in the coaches training division. More info coming soon.
Ace Essex
Retired in 2024
Ace has lived in the Vail Valley since 1979. A lot has changed since then, but the one thing that stayed the same is the love of skiing. He has been involved in BWL since 2007. He coached his daughters team for 5 years, then his sons team for another 5 years. He has enjoyed seeing some of his past team members extend their ski racing into High School and beyond.
He looks forward to being on the BWL board and serving this one of a kind program, which benefits so many kids and brings so many people together volunteering. Ace is the owner of Colorado Mountain Masonry since 1990. His other interests include any outdoor activity and playing bass guitar.
Dani Steiner
Retired in June of 2023 after 8 years on the board.
Dani joined the BWL board in 2015 after only one year as a BWL parent. In her first year she stepped up to help the League coordinate the race awards and has been helping ever since. Her daughter Vesi joined BWL in 2014. She works for Cysco and her husband Paul live in Gypsum.
Dani joined the BWL board in 2015 after only one year as a BWL parent. In her first year she stepped up to help the League coordinate the race awards and has been helping ever since. Her daughter Vesi joined BWL in 2014. She works for Cysco and her husband Paul live in Gypsum.
Tom Davies
Retired in June of 2022 after 18 years on the board.
Tom Davies has lived in the Vail Valley since 1992, has been involved with the Buddy Werner League since 2001 and on the board since 2004. Tom has watched two kids through 10 years of the program and now enjoys watching his youngest son Tad in his 6th year. Each of his kids have become incredible skiers through their involvement in BWL. He says, “the best part of BWL is seeing the smiles on all of the kid’s faces!” He also enjoys the family participation in the program. He feels that being on the board is great because of the friendships he has developed. He looks forward to each fall, as another amazing season is upon us and the fun is about to begin. Tom works for the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa as the Reservations Manager and when he’s not working, he enjoys being on the mountain and the outdoors year round.
Tom Davies has lived in the Vail Valley since 1992, has been involved with the Buddy Werner League since 2001 and on the board since 2004. Tom has watched two kids through 10 years of the program and now enjoys watching his youngest son Tad in his 6th year. Each of his kids have become incredible skiers through their involvement in BWL. He says, “the best part of BWL is seeing the smiles on all of the kid’s faces!” He also enjoys the family participation in the program. He feels that being on the board is great because of the friendships he has developed. He looks forward to each fall, as another amazing season is upon us and the fun is about to begin. Tom works for the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa as the Reservations Manager and when he’s not working, he enjoys being on the mountain and the outdoors year round.
Michael Dunlevie
Retired in March of 2019 after 20 years with BWL.
Michael Dunlevie vacationed with his family in Vail in the mid-60’s and fell in love with the area then. After practicing law in southern California for 15 years he moved his family and law practice here in 1997. Michael has been involved with The Buddy Werner League for since 1997, and joined the board in 1999, offering expertise and legal advice. He now lives in Eagle and continues to serve BWL despite the fact that his three boys graduated many years ago from the program. “BWL has instilled the attributes of Buddy Werner in plenty of Vail Valley youth, good sportsmanship, team work and being great ambassadors of skiing for our Vail – Beaver Creek area. Over the years BWL has created some great ski racers, and made plenty of skiers who just love skiing. You can tell from their smiles that they will love skiing all their lives and give that gift to their families.” Aside from skiing Vail & Beaver Creek, Michael also enjoys camping, sailing and flying a private airplane whenever and wherever he can.
Michael Dunlevie vacationed with his family in Vail in the mid-60’s and fell in love with the area then. After practicing law in southern California for 15 years he moved his family and law practice here in 1997. Michael has been involved with The Buddy Werner League for since 1997, and joined the board in 1999, offering expertise and legal advice. He now lives in Eagle and continues to serve BWL despite the fact that his three boys graduated many years ago from the program. “BWL has instilled the attributes of Buddy Werner in plenty of Vail Valley youth, good sportsmanship, team work and being great ambassadors of skiing for our Vail – Beaver Creek area. Over the years BWL has created some great ski racers, and made plenty of skiers who just love skiing. You can tell from their smiles that they will love skiing all their lives and give that gift to their families.” Aside from skiing Vail & Beaver Creek, Michael also enjoys camping, sailing and flying a private airplane whenever and wherever he can.
Phil Patterson
Retired after 7 years
Phil served as an active BWL Board member for 7 years, even after his daughter went on to ski competitivly for SSCV. He is head of Lifts for Beaver Creek Resorts and was in charge of hte installation of the new Chondola in 2013. Phil has been instramental over the years in helping BWL continue a great relationsthip with Vail Resorts.
Phil served as an active BWL Board member for 7 years, even after his daughter went on to ski competitivly for SSCV. He is head of Lifts for Beaver Creek Resorts and was in charge of hte installation of the new Chondola in 2013. Phil has been instramental over the years in helping BWL continue a great relationsthip with Vail Resorts.
Phillip Gale
Retired in 2024
Philip Gale recently joined the Board in April of 2023. A resident of Highlands Ranch, he and his wife Melissa have two of their three daughters in the program (Madeline and Charlotte). Philip served on the inaugural Buddy Crew Team, and is super passionate about BWL and “giving back to the league that has brought him and his kids so much joy”. You will likely find Philip at the top of the course, as our race starter, making our young BWL racers comfortable and ready. to take on the hill.
Philip works at Equinix, where he has been an IT Sales Executive for the past 15 years. He enjoys watching his kids competitively ski, ice skate, and manages their high-level soccer teams. In his limited free time, he loves playing golf, cooking, spending time in the mountains, and traveling.