Meet the Pelican Lakes Golf Course Team

Jeff Orr | Director of Agronomy


Jeff Orr is no stranger to Pelican Lakes. The Director of Agronomy of Pelican Lakes and RainDance National Golf Club has worked for the company since 2003 when he first joined the maintenance staff as a spray tech. Jeff was fresh out of Colorado State University having completed his Bachelor's Degree in Landscape & Horticulture Technologies with an emphasis in Turf when he was hired at Pelican Lakes. Jeff was born in Austin, Texas, and moved to Fort Collins in 1996 from Boca Raton, Florida to attend Fort Collins High School and CSU. While in college Jeff worked on the maintenance staff at Boomerang Links in Greeley. Jeff and his wife Cinda have two daughters, Allie and Collins, and when he's not working he enjoys playing golf, touring breweries and hanging out with the family.

Kevin Cohrs | Head PGA Golf Professional
 


After over a decade serving as an Assistant PGA Golf Professional, Kevin has found a home at Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf as its Head PGA Golf Professional. Kevin started March 4 and replaced Matt Kantor who was recently elevated to the vacant role within The Water Valley Company as its Director of Golf, and brings with him 14 years of experience as a golf professional. "It is exciting to bring Kevin's operational knowledge, love for the game, and expertise to Pelican Lakes," said Kantor. "Kevin is strategic and will bring a wealth of ideas in his new role as PGA head professional." Kevin's love for the game of golf began at the age of four when his father first put a club in his hands and told him to "be the ball." For the past eight years he was the 1st Assistant at Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland and prior to that as a six-year Assistant at Todd Creek Golf Club in Thornton. His managerial accomplishments over the last few years have been to hire and train all staff, coordinate men's and ladies' leagues, run multiple junior programs, and organize tournaments. He has a passion for leading a team, golf instruction, club fitting and merchandising. No stranger to Northern Colorado, Kevin graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Technical Journalism and a concentration in Public Relations. He and wife Kristina live with their 20-pound Maine coon cat Princess Leah. Kristina has spent nine years at American Medical Response as an Administrative Assistant to the Regional Director. They enjoy traveling, hiking, concerts, cooking and spending time with their family and friends.

Justin Carlock | Assistant Golf Professional


Justin is no stranger to Northern Colorado.

A 2013 graduate of Windsor High School, Justin participated in the Class 4A state golf tournament as a senior and has made golf his life.

Nearly 10 years later he was hired as an assistant golf professional at his hometown’s newest golf course, RainDance National Resort & Golf.

“I am very fortunate for my life to come full circle back to where I started,” Justin said. “You never seem to realize how much home really means to you until you leave and make your way back. It’s such a blessing to help make an impact and a difference in the same community that gave me so much growing up.”

After high school, Justin played golf at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO and Trinidad (CO) State College. Justin shined at Trinidad State as he twice was named the Region IX Player of the Year.

Justin turned professional after college and moved to Arizona to compete in mini tours. While in Arizona, he qualified for the 2021 Arizona Open and worked at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell and Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix.

Justin accepted the position at RainDance National after a brief stint at Eaton Country Club, and is currently enrolled in the PGA PGM program on his way to become a Class A professional. 

When he’s not working on his golf game, Justin is an accomplished bowler and spends time with his fiancé Karlee and her son Gunner.


Jason Weizenegger | Golf Course Superintendent


Jason started at Pelican Lakes in the spring of 2007 as the Assistant Superintendent of the Falls. He now takes care of the the enitre 27-hole property. Jason worked at Highland Meadows Golf Course as an Irrigation Tech during grow in and was promoted to 2nd assistant after two years. When Jason is not at work, he enjoys playing golf with family and friends, and spending time with his wife Erika and daughters Madison and Rory.

Pepper | The Goose Chasin' Border Collie
Pepper the Goose Dog was born on a ranch in Utah and in her early years was trained as a cattle dog. She then went to work with Tim Eubank's Denver-based Zero Geese company, and he fully trained her at her current occupation as a goose dog. She started her career at Pelican Lakes in 2016 and since then has been running approximately 10 miles a day. Several times a day, every day, Pepper sits shotgun in a cart with a golf course employee as they traverse the paths on our 27 holes. She only exits the cart when geese do not vacate the turf, and that's when her hunting skills fully kick in. When she's not goose chasing, Pepper is usually found behind the pro shop counter curled up in a ball, or begging to be pet. The next time you're in the pro shop, welcome Pepper to the family. She's by far our friendliest employee.

Meet the Pelican Lakes Food & Beverage Team

James Warnock | Executive Chef


James Warnock grew up in Eagle Rock, California. His love of the culinary arts began as a small child when he would spend time cooking with his grandparents. James was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1999-2001, serving in San Francisco, New Jersey and New Orleans. James attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and graduated in 2003. He moved to Colorado in 2006 and worked at the Doubletree Hotel in Grand Junction as the Executive Chef. In 2010, he began working at Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa. James started as the Executive Chef of Pelican Lakes in February 2019. In his free time, James spends time with his wife, Jenni, and their 3 children, Jayden, Rylee and Jaxen. They enjoy road trips, sporting events, and BBQing, and cooking for friends and family.

Aaron Minor | Executive Chef at The Grillhouse at Pelican Lakes


Aaron Minor grew up in Dallas, Texas. As a kid, instead of watching cartoons he would watch cooking shows. His love of the culinary arts began at a young age. Aaron started as his culinary career as a dishwasher at Horseshoe Bay, Texas, where he quickly moved up the kitchen ladder. In 2001, he became a kitchen manager at a small Italian restaurant in Marble Falls, Texas. In 2004, Aaron moved to Southern California with his wife, Amanda, and started working at the Hilton in Ontario, California shortly after arriving. After the Hilton, Aaron took a job at the Doubletree Steakhouse, also in Ontario. Not too long after, Aaron became Sous Chef at The Sheraton in the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds and worked his way up to Chef De Cuisine. While at The Sheraton, Aaron was offered a promotion to Chef of the Los Angeles County Fair to oversee all concession and restaurants on the Fairgrounds and was there for five years. Aaron's most recent position was the Chef de Cuisine for the Anaheim (California) Convention Center until 2020. Aaron recently moved to Colorado with his wife Amanda and their 2 kids, Megan and Aubrey. Aaron is, and always will be, a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.

Steve Stoltz | Director of Restaurants & Bars

Steve Stoltz is a native of Western Central Pennsylvania where he grew up in a small coal mining town outside of Pittsburgh. After a few different jobs, he found his calling in the service industry. Over the past 20 years, he has spent time working with TGI Fridays, Hard Rock Café and most recently, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. Steve has spent the last 16 years in Las Vegas, Nevada and Dallas, Texas before relocating to Windsor in 2020 with his wife and daughter Aurora Jane. They enjoy spending time with family, dining out, parks and BBQing.

Meet the Rest of the Pelican Lakes Sales & Marketing Team

Kurt Hinkle | Director of Communications & PR


Kurt Hinkle moved to Windsor in 1998 after he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in news editorial journalism. The native of Sterling, Colorado enjoyed a 10-year career as a reporter and editor of the Windsor Beacon newspaper and another five years serving as the general manager of the student-operated The Mirror newspaper at UNC before joining The Water Valley Company in 2014 as its Director of Marketing and Public Relations, and later as its Director of Communications. Kurt initiates and maintains the marketing, communication, social media, public relations, and graphics of The Water Valley Company, the Water Valley community, the Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf, its restaurants, Windsor's RainDance master-planned community and the RainDance National Resort & Golf, among The Water Valley Company's various other businesses. Kurt and wife Jill raise their teenage son Carter in Water Valley and spend their leisure time playing golf, attending live music, skiing, traveling, and spending most weekends with friends and family.

Elizabeth Rigg | Director of Banquets



Elizabeth Rigg was born and raised in Colorado and has worked in the restaurant industry since she was 16 years old. Elizabeth was raised on a 10-acre farm where she grew her love for taking care of animals. Elizabeth received her Veterinary Technician Degree from Bel Rea Institute and worked in emergency animal medicine for 13 years. She returned to school in 2019 and received a hospitality and event degree from Front Range Community College to pursue wedding and event planning. Elizabeth joined the Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf team in 2021. Elizabeth has two wonderful children and two crazy dogs, and when she is not at work, she enjoys traveling with her family, being outdoors, golfing, and cooking. 


Shannon Shafer | Director of Sales & Events
Shannon has been on the staff at Pelican Lakes since August 2010. The Colorado native manages all types of catering events, specializing in weddings. She has worked with weddings in various capacities for over a decade. Shannon loves the diversity of each couple, witnessing their big day come together, and showcasing their individuality as a couple. Shannon and husband Dave were married at Pelican Lakes in 2016. They welcomed their first child, a girl, in late 2018. They also have a pet hedgehog named Pepper. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching crime dramas and nature shows, baking, crafting and exploring Colorado.

Meet the Rest of the Pelican Lakes Administration Team

Jason Kusel | Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality 


As Chief Operating Officer of Hospitality & Experiences for The Water Valley Company, Jason Kusel is responsible for the leadership, personal management, and financial operations for all hospitality programs for the company, including Pelican Lakes Resort & Golf, Ted’s Sweetwater Grill & Trout Pond, and the currently under construction RainDance National Resort & Golf. Before joining The Water Valley Company in July 2018, he managed the highly awarded Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa owned by John Hendricks owner/founder of the Discovery Channel. During his nine years working for the luxury resort managed by Noble House Hotels & Resorts they were consistently awarded top accolades and recognitions from Forbes, Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast. Before his time with the resort Jason spent six years working for the Doubletree by Hilton while attending Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO studying Applied Science and Business. A native of Iowa, Jason moved to Colorado at the age of 10 and has felt at home since. After high school he remained in state to attend college and unknowingly at the time began his career in the hospitality industry. While attending college he stumbled upon his true passion for working in hospitality and continues to explore and implement opportunities for The Water Valley Company. Jason has taken the skills and expertise from highly successful resorts and hotels to continue to add and enhance the curated collection of the company brands.

Kate O'Halloran | Club Administrative Assistant


Kate O'Halloran was born and raised in Colorado and has been working in the service industry since she was 17. Kate attended the University of Northern Colorado and started at Pelican Lakes in 2013. She joined the management team in 2015. After several years working in the restaurant, Kate is the Club Administrative Assistant. Kate has one daughter and 3 dogs. She enjoys golfing, traveling, camping year-round and exploring the mountains.

Mike Brady | Director of Maintenance & Development
Mike Brady is a nearly four-decade veteran of the restaurant and bar business. The Director of Maintenance and Development of Pelican Lakes has served in this capacity off-and- on for 10 years. Mike is also the owner of a small pizza restaurant within the Water Valley community. Mike and his wife of over 30 years, Jo, currently live in Water Valley but have lived in 10 different states. Together they have three children and five granddaughters. Mike is a former vice president of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, an active supporter of the Windsor RE-4 School District and RE-4 Foundation and when he's not working or donating his time, he can be found on the golf course or casting a line in a lake.

Mandy Oberholzer | Executive Director of Adventure and Recreation


Mandy Oberholzer is an outdoor enthusiast who has a passion for adventure and making sure everyone around her is having fun and creating the most memorable experiences. She is looking forward to bringing awesome adventures to the Windsor area
Mandy was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, which is where she found her love for wildlife and the great outdoors. Mandy loves playing and watching sports, such as soccer, cricket, rugby, softball, basketball, baseball, and football, to name a few.
Before starting her career in the outdoor and hospitality industry, Mandy went to Central Michigan University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Administration with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Biology.
Mandy spent the last nine years working at the Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, located on the Western Slope of Colorado and owned by the founder of the Discovery Channel. She built the adventure world from the ground up as the Director of Resort Services by creating programs for corporate retreats and leisure guests, such as outdoor laser tag, Baja driving, rock climbing, UTVing, hiking, team building, driven car rentals, and so much more.