Events

Investigator Gary Whitesides was raised in Southern California until 1987 when a change of scenery presented the opportunity to relocate to Colorado. He graduated from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado in 1999, spending the next few years exploring different industries, car rental, insurance & amp; finance, and banking. In 2005, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office extended a career opportunity as a Deputy Sheriff, completing the law enforcement academy in August 2005. He worked two years in the detention facility, twelve years assigned to the Patrol Division, and the last five years assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. The initial assignment was in the property unit working motor vehicle thefts. COVID was an exceptional period of “growth” in the auto theft industry. He made a lateral move to the complex crimes unit in 2021, focused on financial crimes; elder exploitation, identity theft, and scams.

Investigator Todd Manes was an environmental consultant for the first 18 years of his working life.  He went to college for hydrogeology/geochemistry.  In January 2007, almost 18 years ago, he joined JCSO where he spent six years in Detentions, eight years on Patrol, two years in Recruiting, and now over a year in the Financial Crimes Unit of Investigations. As an investigator, he primarily deals with cases of identity theft, fraud, forgery, money laundering, and elder financial abuse/exploitation. He is also a member of JCSO’s HazMat Response Team, a report writing instructor for the Regional Academy, and a co-teacher for LGBTQ+ Awareness in the department.

Crime Scene Analyst, Sydney Stansbury began her career as a Crime Scene Investigator for the Greensboro Police Department in North Carolina in 2020. After a year and a half, the opportunity presented itself to work for the
JCSO and she leapt at the opportunity because it brought her home. She was born and raised in Evergreen Colorado and has had the chance to work with the Evergreen Rotary Club on several different occasions (Thank you for YRYLA and RYLA!). She also has a Bachelors degree in Forensic Science from the University of Nebraska and a Masters degree in Forensic Technology from the University of New Haven. She became an IAI Certified Crime Scene Analyst in November 2023 and is coming up on 3 years working for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Rowdy Rotarians is celebrating the Rotary Club of Evergreens 40 year anniversary!

March 13 Thursday 

5:00

Cowboy Lounge inside the Lazy Butcher - 30790 Stagecoach Blvd 

Laura Uzzle is the Co-Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Denver. OLLI at DU offers a diverse array of engaging courses, programs, and events tailored for individuals aged 50 “and better.”   With over 2,000 members, five locations, and a dynamic community, OLLI at DU is proud to provide lifelong learning opportunities throughout the Denver area.  Laura joined OLLI at DU in August 2024, bringing over 25 years of nonprofit management experience with prominent national organizations, including CHC: Creating Healthier Communities and the National MS Society.  Throughout her career, Laura has specialized in program development and optimization, communications and marketing, community outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Wes Paxton has worked in public education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal for over 32 years. Prior to his current role, he was the principal at Conifer High School for nine years. Wes brings a wealth of school leadership experience to his current role from working in the Greeley-Evans School District, Adams 14 School District and Denver Public Schools. Earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder in economics and a master's degree from the University of Phoenix in school leadership, Wes has continued his pursuit of providing students with exceptional learning experiences by working in partnership with educators and garnering the support of the greater school community. He advocates for school leaders as past-president of the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals, president of the Colorado Association of School Executives and CASE liaison for the Jefferson County Administrator Association.

Putting “service above self”, Wes is an active member of the Conifer Rotary Club as past-president and chair of the Rotary Club of Conifer Foundation. He is also a board member for the Outdoor Lab Foundation, providing financial support to both Jeffco Outdoor Lab sites, and the Bootstraps, Inc., providing high school graduates with scholarships and loans to pursue a bachelors degree, associate degree, career certification or trade school training.

Wes works directly with the elementary, middle and high schools in the Conifer and Evergreen articulation areas, as well as D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School, Dennison Elementary and Mt. Blue Sky/Windy Peak Outdoor Education Lab Schools.

We look forward to seeing you Friday morning.  Friends are welcome.

Chuck Harmon is spirited Mayor and dedicated leader with a knack for transforming his city into an even greater place to live, play and explore. With over 30 year of proud home ownership in Idaho Springs, Chuck is a local through and through championing improvements that benefit residents and visitors. 

Chuck is also a Gaming Impact Fund Commissioner with the state of Colorado. He ensures that gaming revenues are used wisely, leaving a positive mark on the communities statewide. His entrepreneurial spirit shines through as a former owner of one of Colorado's premier airline parts manufacturer, a testament to his knock for innovation and success. He isn't all business, when he is not shaping the future of Idaho Springs, he is indulging in his adventurous side outdoors.  Whether treasure hunting, hiking the rugged trails or casting a line for some fishing, Chuck embodies the adventurous Colorado lifestyle.

Bryan McFarland is a seasoned real estate development and commercial construction professional. Over the past thirty years he has successfully completed projects totaling over 14.8 million square feet with a combined cost of $2.3 billion, with responsibilities for overall design and construction. McFarland founded Denali Development Group in 2018 following a 16 year
career with Alberta Development Partners, and prior to that 6 years with The Mills Corporation. Bryan is now a General Partner on the Mighty Argo Cable Car (MACC) project in Idaho Springs. The MACC, opening in spring 2026, will be a tourism destination project featuring heritage tourism and outdoor recreation.