Ken Riley, Mayor - Term to Expire April 2028

kriley@keystoneco.gov
Ken Riley is the Town of Keystone’s first Mayor. He is a retired executive from the Air Force and the aerospace industry. He and his wife Linda have owned in Keystone since 1998. He became actively involved in the Keystone Community in 2010, working on solutions to community issues with Summit County, Vail Resorts, and the Colorado Division of Transportation. He has served on the Snake River Water District Board of Directors and is a Past President of the Keystone Owners Association and Keystone Citizens League. In 2020, he became a leader of the Keystone Incorporation initiative.
As Mayor, his focus is on addressing solutions to US6 pedestrian and vehicle safety, the lack of coherent and maintained trails and open space, growth which has been approved without mitigating the impacts to pedestrian safety, traffic and parking, the lack of childcare for Keystone’s residents and workforce, and lack of housing for the seasonal and full-time workforce.
Ken and Linda love the Keystone Community and are avid Skiers and Hikers.
Dan Sullivan, Mayor Pro-Tem - Term to Expire April 2028
dsullivan@keystoneco.gov
Greetings, Keystone! I’m Dan Sullivan.
As a recent retiree residing in the Alders with my wife Carol, I am eager to contribute to the next phase of our town’s development. In my professional journey, I’ve been a partner in respected accounting and organizational management consulting firms, bringing a wealth of experience in finance, strategy and organizational management.
Now in retirement, I am passionate about leveraging this experience to ensure Keystone’s next pivotal years are built on a solid foundation. I’ve had the honor of serving as the Vice Chair of both the Election Commission and the Charter Commission, demonstrating my commitment to fair governance and community involvement. These experiences have equipped me with a nuanced understanding of our town’s inner workings.
I believe that the next few years are pivotal for Keystone and I am eager to play a role in ensuring that our town’s foundation remains solid and poised for appropriate growth. In addition to my roles in commissions, I possess extensive experience in complex negotiations, a skill set crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Keystone.
I am a firm believer in the power of community engagement. The collective wisdom of our residents is an invaluable resource and I am dedicated to ensuring that the decisions we make reflect the needs and aspirations of the people of Keystone.
Together, we can navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes that our future will present. As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to join me in building a Keystone that we are all proud to call home. Together, let’s take the next big step for our town’s future!

Jon Hagenow, Councilmember - Term to Expire April 2026

jhagenow@keystoneco.gov
Jon was born and raised in Connecticut and holds a degree in Supply Chain Management and Pre-Law from Bryant University. He currently works in hospitality management and has a background in strategy and implementation consulting.
Since moving to Colorado, Jon has made Keystone his home. He has firsthand experience with both employer-sponsored housing and private accommodations, giving him insight into the community's diverse living situations.
Passionate about servant leadership and community engagement, Jon has been actively involved in various volunteer and philanthropic organizations, including the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, Bryant University, and Scouting America. In Keystone, he has participated in important local initiatives, such as the incorporation efforts on the transition steering committee and the planning commission.
Jon’s love for the outdoors drew him to Keystone, where he enjoys hiking and mountain biking with his dog, exploring the beautiful public lands, and skiing at nearby slopes.
He recognizes Keystone's unique position as a resort destination, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year while also supporting a vibrant local community of workers, families, and retirees. As a council member, Jon aims to represent the needs of the many residents who work in town and the county, advocating for a balanced approach to growth and development that prioritizes the well-being of Keystone’s citizens.
If you see Jon around town, don’t hesitate to say hello! He believes that every council member is here to represent all citizens of Keystone.
Carol Kerr, Councilmember - Term to Expire April 2026
ckerr@keystoneco.gov
Army veteran, communication professional and mom I’ve lived all over this country and the world, but Keystone is the first residence my husband and I were able to choose for ourselves.
I first fell in love with Keystone while stationed at Fort Carson in the ‘80s. Since then, Keystone vacations were treats for us and our three kids – and will be for our two granddaughters. To contribute to my new community, I volunteered for the Keystone election and communication committees. Energized by that work, I now ask for your vote for the first Town leadership team. Down-to-earth, with fresh perspective and no agenda, I will listen intently and work hard for Keystone.
I was initially wary of new government, so I did a deep dive on the Incorporation feasibility, Charter work sessions, and neighboring government decisions. I’ve listened to my Keystone neighbors at town halls, in the media, and when knocking on doors. There’s no doubt: local decisions for local concerns will be powerful if they are for and about our community. We know that changes are on the horizon – traffic, residential mix, ski industry, climate change and water use, etc. That’s why this is the time to be intentional in analyzing, planning, and creating frameworks to shape how we respond and preserve what we most value.
I think our priorities are clear -
- Retain Keystone’s unique character
- Improve family and workforce safety
- Enhance access to nature
- Prioritize lean, efficient government
- Create a government that responds to our diverse community.
I recently retired after 30 years of service as an Army officer, active and Reserve, overlapping more than 20 years on faculty/staff at the U.S. Army War College. I believe my background in leadership, analysis, and planning will serve the Town of Keystone. Talk with me on Facebook: Carol Kerr for Keystone.

Steve Martin, Councilmember - Term to Expire April 2026
smartin@keystoneco.gov
Steve and his wife Vickie have been long-time homeowners in the Keystone area. They have been second homeowners for approximately 20 years where their second homes have varied from family use only, part-time rentals, long-term renter. They have been full-time residents of Keystone for 4 years now.
Regarding Keystone’s journey into becoming a town, Steve volunteered to go out and gather petition signatures and was later appointed to serve on the Election Commission for all three elections. He was also part of a small task force for Keystone that spoke with all the neighboring towns as to how their planning commissions were set up. He has served on the Keystone Owners Association Board, Snake River Water District Board and the Snake River Planning Commission. He has served on multiple HOA Boards and is currently the President of his Homeowners Association Board.
His educational background is a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting, and a Master’s Degree in Construction Management that he believes will be of benefit to the Town as it charters its development. He works full-time for a roofing supply company. He and his wife enjoy taking their dogs on walks and hitting the slopes whenever possible.
He is very excited that Keystone has made the choice to become a town and is committed to helping the town navigate its future not only for the residents of Keystone, but for its second homeowners, renters, businesses, workers, and visitors that make Keystone such a wonderful and beautiful place.

Aaron Parmet, Councilmember - Term to Expire April 2028

aparmet@keystoneco.gov
I LOVE Keystone. I learned to ski here. I moved here 21 years ago. Skis, bikes, and community service are my passions. Keystone is unique among local communities: a resort that also grew into a town.
My Keystone vision: • Peaceful, safe, and true to our mountain environment - I believe in traffic/pedestrian safety and low noise/light pollution • Livable, walkable, bikeable, bus-able, drive-able, park-able - Locals need places to live, and need to be able to get around town • Prosperous Responsibility
We can outcompete our neighbors without losing our soul, without taxing residents, and without irresponsible spending I believe representing you as a town councilor means inclusive leadership. I have the experience:
- 7 years on the board of directors of a nonprofit
- Served both federal and local government agencies Current roles:
- Nurse Manager at our local hospital
- Lead Avalanche Faculty at Colorado Mountain College
- Team Leader with Summit County Rescue Group
- VP – Sonne HOA Board
Thank you for your consideration. We can do it! Keystone: Small but Mighty!
Valerie Thisted, Councilmember - Term to Expire April 2026
vthisted@keystoneco.gov
I am a Colorado native who grew up in a similar, nearby mountain community, so I’ve seen the impact of unchecked change and growth on the place I once loved and grew-up in. My husband and I have owned in Keystone for 15 years and lived here for five. Keystone is home, and we have three kids who attend elementary and high school in the Summit School District. My most recent professional background and master’s degree is in social work, which is a service based and community focused profession. As a social worker, I have experience in schools, nonprofit, and hospital psychiatric care. While in nonprofit, I
led the administration of national standards for Advocates for Children, which entailed assessing and implementing our agency’s best practices, policies, and procedures. I also served on the Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children’s Ongoing Services Subcommittee, which was a multidisciplinary committee charged with developing best practices, protocols and policy recommendations. Locally, I have perspective as a second homeowner, short-term rental owner, and full time resident-owner. My investment in this community led me to serve on the board of the Keystone Owners Association, and on the boards of two different homeowners associations. Currently, I serve my neighborhood as the association president.
I am very passionate, bordering on desperate, about the need to become an official town. I have been supporting the effort and working behind the scenes in every way possible because I firmly believe that everything we know and love is on the line. I am not a public person by nature. I have zero special interests or agendas. I am weary of broken bureaucracies and overspending. My vision is to see our special community preserved and to be able to pass that legacy on to my kids. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we need to get it right!
