Justin O’Connell, Secretary

Local musician, producer, singer and songwriter based in Colorado Springs. Justin is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for local band, Red Moon Rounder, which Justin co-founded in 2018. Red Moon Rounder performed at the 2022 and 2023 Mountain of the Sun music festival as well as the 2023 Meadowgrass music festival. Justin also works as a Business Systems Analyst for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Justin has lived in Colorado Springs for the past decade with his wife, Maria and their daughter, Elisa. Justin joined the RMH Board of Directors in 2023.

Kristen Cahill, Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer at SPUR Philanthropy. Kristen is a dedicated volunteer in our community. She is a proud Colorado native with a deep passion for accelerating community-based small businesses and organizations. She attended Colorado State University and received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.  After college, she joined Ernst & Young as a CPA and worked as a Financial Statement Auditor. That experience exposed her to a diverse spectrum of businesses and industries, helping her realize her passion for small business and community. She went on to work in in-house accounting and managerial positions and finally made her way to the Colorado Craft Beer Industry. As the general manager of Red Leg Brewery, she strived to connect business to community, and she established and grew a philanthropic program which engaged and benefited many non-profit organizations. Her most treasured times are those spent with her husband, dog, family and friends.  She also loves cooking, reading, gardening, and yoga, and freely admits to having a few too many house plants.

Jessica Barney, Executive Director

Jessica is an incredible asset to our team. Her passion for MeadowGrass is evident in her dedication as a volunteer since 2018, and as lead volunteer for the Beer Fest from 2022-2023. Prior to 2022, Jessica owned and operated a successful holistic health clinic in Colorado Springs for 12 years, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. She has since ventured into landscape gardening, and works as a gardener for her company alongside a small team.

Jessica’s love for people and music, coupled with her natural leadership abilities, make her a great fit for this position – which she started in October 2023.  Her enthusiasm to take Rocky Mountain Highway to new heights is truly inspiring!

Jan Merriman, Board Member

Chief Financial Officer for Classic Homes. Jan has held financial positions with Classic Homes, a residential real estate developer in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 30 years. As an executive of Classic, Jan leads the department responsible for all financial reporting and strategic forecasting, overseeing the company’s financial growth from a start-up homebuilder to the largest residential developer in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. Jan is the Board Treasurer for Rocky Mountain Highway. She enjoys combining her financial expertise with her passion for live music, supporting musicians and enhancing the vitality of our Colorado Springs community with music festivals and performances.

Rick Crosslin, Board Member

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Manager, Security Specialist. Rick joined Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative in 2018 as a volunteer, and then joined the board in 2020. Rick has volunteered for many organizations in his more than 25 years in the Pikes Peak region but found his home with RMHMC. His love of music made it a natural fit, and his desire to see local artists supported and flourish, music made accessible to everyone in the region, and connect with the community have made it incredibly rewarding. When you are not seeing Rick at Meadowgrass or one of the other community music events that Rocky Mountain Highway collaborates on, you will find him on the river– but he won’t let us share his favorite fishing spots!

“See you in the Meadow!” -RC

Falon Ramsey, Board Member and Lead Coordinator for Alcohol Sales

Falon moved to Colorado in 2017 and began her adventure with RMH in 2021, as a volunteer, and was selected as Lead Coordinator of Alcohol Sales in 2022. Falon joined our Board in 2023. With more than 15 years experience in music production, her vision to bring community together through music in the Pikes Peak Region is a focal point for Falon. Prior to joining RMH, she has held positions with other music production companies in the artist hospitality field from 2011 to current. She was part owner of Good Times Productions hosting an annual music festival, Elderberry Jam, in the midwest. With deep-seeded roots in the music industry, and passion for live music and community, she is eager to grow with Rocky Mountain Highway.

Chris Alvarez, Board Member

Nationally recognized award-winning painter, Chris Alvarez, a New Mexico native,  moved to Colorado in 1988, courtesy of Uncle Sam, when he joined the Army. He works in downtown Colorado Springs, at The Alvarez Gallery Art Studio, as an artist and art educator. His work is regionally known for depicting romance in the mundane.  He enjoys juggling, collecting records, and the outdoors. He is a budding musician learning to play the baritone ukelele and the acoustic guitar. Through this practice, Chris is an even bigger fan of live local music.