We're thrilled to congratulate Ben Smith on officially joining the Summit Rotary Club at our June 10, 2025 meeting!
Welcome to Our Newest Member - Ben Smith!
Ben is a 50-year-old divorced father with the energy level of a 21-year-old and the sense of humor of a teenager. He's our resident encyclopedia of useless trivia knowledge, obscure movie quotes, and "dad" jokes – so get ready for some entertainment! Ben has two sons, ages 19 and 22, who are Summit school system alumni and are now pursuing their academic careers at CU and CSU.
Ben's educational journey took him from Iowa State University for his undergraduate studies to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for graduate school. He started out studying aerospace engineering and eventually earned his MBA. While his original plan was to head to a major city like Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles, life had different plans. He got married, had kids, and spent over 20 years in Nebraska building a successful small manufacturing company that produces specialized tools and machines used worldwide for constructing rocket motors and commercial fireworks.
About 12 years ago, Ben rekindled his love of the mountains and began making regular trips to Summit County to snowboard, hike, bike, and embrace the outdoor lifestyle. After years of commuting between Nebraska and Dillon, he made the bold decision that the constant back-and-forth made no sense. So he sold his house, loaded up truckloads of machinery for his company, moved his entire family to Summit County, and has been living an active mountain lifestyle ever since.
We're excited to have Ben's expertise, humor, and energy as part of our community. Welcome aboard, Ben, we are happy to have you as part of the new member class of 2025.
We're delighted to congratulate Suzanne Lifgren on joining Summit Rotary this spring!
Suzanne has been an integral part of our community for 28 years, dedicating her career to supporting Summit County's most trusted organizations. In her role at the Summit Foundation, she amplifies the incredible work being done throughout the region, ensuring their impact is known and felt by all. Suzanne believes deeply in the Four-Way Test — ensuring that work is truthful, fair, builds goodwill and benefits everyone. She's passionate about what she does and is excited to engage with Rotary, recognizing how much our missions align in improving the lives of those around us.
As a seasoned marketing professional, Suzanne has dedicated her career to increasing awareness and engagement throughout our community. Her impressive portfolio spans from her work with the Town of Frisco and the Breckenridge Tourism Office to championing the hospital and revitalizing the Breck Film Festival. She has shaped longstanding events and campaigns that drive meaningful participation and lasting impact. Suzanne believes in the power of autonomy, mastery, and purpose to create meaningful connections and lasting change — a philosophy that has guided her work in building programs that strengthen our community.
With her extensive local knowledge, marketing expertise, and unwavering commitment to community service, Suzanne will be a tremendous asset to our Rotary club. We're thrilled to have her dedication and passion as part of our team. Welcome to Rotary, Suzanne!