Communications Work Group
Meet the Communications Group Members
Cathy Chochon
Team Lead
Cathy is a UNL graduate holding a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in marketing. Prior to real estate, Cathy worked for local general contractor Moltz Construction as a Project Coordinator. There her marketing and contract experience broadened while compiling proposals and contracts for multi-million dollar projects. Known for being detail oriented, she has served as ROCC's Chair and Secretary in addition to serving on various workgroups.
Firm: Full Circle Real Estate Group
Mobile: 719-207-3651
Office: 719-395-0101
Email: cathychochon@gmail.com
http://www.fullcirclebv.com
Catherine Harbick
Cathy Harbick is truly passionate about the experience you have with her in every real estate transaction. She recognizes the trust her clients place in her when buying or selling real estate in Buena Vista CO. Cathy values every client with clear communication, integrity, and trust.
She has experience in vacant land, single-family homes, vacation homes, and short-term rentals throughout the Arkansas River Valley. Her enthusiastic, can-do attitude along with her caring nature enables her to identify each client’s desires. Cathy has helped dozens of clients fulfill their real estate goals and enjoys the whole process.
As an Entrepreneur in her own right, she brings extensive experience in owning and operating businesses throughout Colorado, most of which have been in the lodging and hospitality industry. Her values of hard work, honesty, and integrity underpin everything that she stands behind.
Cathy and her husband moved to the Buena Vista, CO area 20 years ago. They raised their two boys here in the Arkansas Valley. She understands and appreciates the many unique benefits of life in the Arkansas Valley with its unmatched beauty, culture, and amazing outdoor activities just steps away. Between Leadville and Salida, this valley has it all with Buena Vista right in the center!
Firm: First Colorado Land Office, Inc.
Mobile: 719-207-0616
Office: 719-395-0101
Email: catherineharbick@gmail.com
http://www.firstcolorado.com
Cess Retener
As of April 1st, 2025, Cess Retener is ROCC's Chief Executive Officer.
As CEO, she executes decisions of the Board of Directors and its workgroups. She is the organization's liaison with the Colorado Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. Cess oversees ROCC accounting, and day-to-day business activities, while also interacting with members, industry partners, and the community.
Cess leads strategic direction projects, and financial operations in collaboration with the Board. Cess drives innovation and growth while upholding the organization's mission.
Planning for both short-term goals and long-term vision, Cess navigates business challenges within policy frameworks while prioritizing value creation for ROCC members through growth and retention strategies.
Cess oversees meetings, events, and education programs and ensures compliance with NAR Ethics and Fair Housing standards.
Firm: REALTORS® of Central Colorado, Inc.
Mobile: 719-850-2078
Office: 719-539-3381
Email: rocc-member@rocc.realtor
Cynthia Martellaro
Bio Coming Soon!
Firm: You 1st Realty
Mobile: 719-221-0461
Office: 303-732-5513
Email: cmartellaro13@gmail.com
Hayden Mellsop
I was born a city boy in Auckland, New Zealand in May 1960. In my early twenties, feeling that there was more to life than urban hustle and bustle, I moved to the Lake Taupo district in the central North Island of New Zealand. This is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, and home to some of the best fly fishing rivers in the world. After working for several years there as an outdoor guide, I looked to escape the New Zealand winter and ventured north to the US, eventually arriving in the Arkansas Valley for the first time in May 1990. Here I found myself guiding on many of the region’s beautiful rivers.
So struck was I by the area and the friendliness of the people that one summer soon turned in to three. That third summer I met Kym. We were married in 1996, and, taking careful stock of all the options open to us, chose Salida as our home. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and feel we have chosen the perfect place to raise our family.
Since 1996 I guided fly fishing extensively on the Arkansas River, for the last five years as head float guide for Ark Anglers, the region's premier guide service. I also established my own guide service, New Zealand Fly Fishing Adventures, specializing in guiding American fishermen to the pristine waters of New Zealand. As our family grew, uprooting ourselves each year to go Down Under became more complicated, and further confirmed our decision to live full time in Salida.
Firm: Pinon Real Estate Group
Mobile: 719-530 8333
Office: 719-539-0200
Email: hmellsop@pinonrealestate.com
http://www.pinonrealestate.com
Jeff Kurtz
With a passion for the mountains and a commitment to excellence in real estate, Jeff Kurtz is your dedicated Realtor in Salida, Colorado. With years of experience living and working in the Colorado real estate market, Jeff has established himself as a trusted advisor for both buyers and sellers seeking their dream mountain property.
Jeff is a true local, having lived in Colorado for over 30 years. His deep knowledge of the area, from the best hiking and biking trails to the hidden gems of the local real estate market, ensures you'll find the perfect property in this picturesque region.
John Kearley
John has lived in the mountains of Colorado since 1995 and has been in Salida since 2002. John’s love of the Upper Arkansas Valley and its people have continued to grow over the years. John is originally from the Deep South, growing up in Alabama and Tennessee, and graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Political Science. John is the son of an Episcopal minister and an artist mother. John’s family continues it’s association with the Episcopal Church, having been members of Ascension Episcopal in Salida since moving here. John is a former Director on ROCC Board and continues to work with it’s Communications Work Group to help other Realtors stay informed.
Firm: Legacy Properties of Colorado
Mobile: 719-221-2500
Office: 719-395-0101
Email: johndkearley@gmail.com
Justin Tanner
Contact Information
Laura Ostrom
Bio Coming Soon!
Firm: First Colorado Land Office, Inc.
Mobile: 702-755-0158
Office: 719-395-0101
Email: laura@firstcolorado.com
http://www.firstcolorado.com
Lydia Farris
Lydia Farris moved to Buena Vista in 2017 from Cleveland, Missouri, a tiny town south of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1992, she started working at a Kansas City video production company and in 2003 started her own video production and event services company. After 30+ years in video and event productions and with COVID cancelling all live production work, Lydia received her real estate license in 2020. She works both as a Broker Associate and Assistant to David Martin to expand her knowledge of all aspects of real estate and use her client relationship and marketing skills to help guide buyers and sellers smoothly through every real estate transaction. Lydia is known for her enthusiasm, humor, resourcefulness, and dedication to excellence as well as her commitment to creating partnerships to ensure client satisfaction. She uses these same skills and commitment in her volunteer role with the communications workgroup.
Firm: Legacy Properties of Colorado
Mobile: 913-209-2491
Office: 719-395-0101
Email: lydiafarris@yahoo.com
Ryan Morgan
Joey Rovinsky
Since becoming a broker associate at Pinon REal Estate Group in Salida CO in 2020 Joey has quickly developed a passion for meeting new people and helping them achieve their dreams. With a focus and interest in advocating for affordable housing, Joey continues to serve his community by representing ROCC at the state and national levels. Recently he has begun working in commercial property management eager to create comfortable growth for businesses in Salida. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and various nerd activities.
jrovinsky@pinonrealestate.com
614-940-9980