First Impressions Executive Committee
Co-Chair
Erin Ax
Erin loves living in Steamboat with her partner and toddler. A former school psychologist, she spent the last 15 years transforming educational systems including with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), implementing a federal grant to improve academic and behavioral outcomes statewide.
Now focusing her expertise locally, Erin serves as the Impact Officer with the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation (CSFF), where she contributes to their mission of supporting organizations throughout Routt County.
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Outside of work, Erin and her family enjoy live music, hiking, skiing, and traveling. Erin deeply understands the challenges of balancing the demands of raising a toddler while being an active working mother in Routt County.
Child Care Center Representative
Kim Martin
Kim has been in her role as Executive Director at Young Tracks since 2006, and active in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 37 years. Focusing on Infants through Pre-Kindergarteners, early childhood development, and staff development.
Over her career, she is privileged to have been on the Board of Directors for both the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, and our local North West Chapter of that same organization. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1999.
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Kim and her family have lived in the Yampa Valley, “this time” since 1995 after moving back here from Jackson Hole Wyoming, where she taught and worked with families for seven years. They enjoy all that the valley has to offer, including skiing, biking, camping and boating.
Director of DHS
Kelly Kissling
Kelly currently serves as the director of Routt County Human Services. She is passionate about early childhood education and worked for the early childhood council in Summit County.
She moved to Steamboat Springs in 2017 and has lived in Colorado since 1999. She has a Bachelor of Social Welfare, and MBA/MS in Management.
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She enjoys spending time with her son, adventuring in the mountains, travelling and listening to music.
C0-Chair
Melinda Maas
Melinda moved to Steamboat Springs in 2005 after visiting the area every summer growing up. She got her degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children in many faucets during her time in Routt County.
Melinda has been on the First Impressions Council since 2020, in addition to being on the Colorado Preschool Program Advisory Council for the 21-22, and 22-23 school years.
During her personal/free time Melinda enjoys paddleboarding, camping, and traveling with her Husband.
Secretary/Treasurer
Alexis Wolf
Alexis moved to Steamboat Springs in 1996 to spend one winter as a snow bum and then the Yampa Valley curse took hold. She met her husband here and they have raised two sons. She has worked for the City of Steamboat Springs in the Parks & Recreation department for almost 20 years spending many of them working directly with youth of all ages.
She has served on the First Impressions council for over 10 years and on the Executive Committee since 2019.
When not working, she loves walking with the neighborhood moms, hiking, reading, cooking, snowboarding, and spending as much time as possible in or on the water while living in the mountains. Her giant beast of a cat Dragon keeps her sane throughout it all.
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Routt County Comissioner
Angelica Salinas
Angelica Salinas serves as Routt County Commissioner for District I, bringing a strong record of leadership in community engagement, economic development, and advocacy for working families. As a Routt County resident, Angelica has dedicated her career to fostering collaboration and building a thriving, resilient community.
Before taking office, Angelica worked as the Director of Community Engagement and Membership for the Steamboat Springs Chamber, where she led initiatives to address workforce housing, early childhood education and childcare, and economic opportunity. Her leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Young Professionals Network and a board member for United Way of the Yampa Valley. She also coaches youth volleyball and is involved in supporting youth programs across the county.
Angelica enjoys exploring Routt County’s natural beauty and spending time with her pup, family, and friends.