Meet Cindy Lempke
Cindy Lempke has found the perfect career for herself. As Director of Corporate Communications for AIMCO, this know-how-to-communicate woman is in the right field for what just comes naturally.
“I’ve been in communications or public relations my entire career,” said the Williamsport, Pennsylvania native. After studying at Dickinson College, so near home, she was hired to work in Harrisburg only two weeks after completing her courses, also so near home. “I worked there until my first husband and I moved here.”
The couple had “been fortunate to travel to Colorado. Aspen was our first introduction. Each time we came, we would add more to our itinerary to discover more about Colorado. Eventually, we realized we wanted to live in this state.” And so they arrived in 2002 and since then, “I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else.”
Being that communicative type, Cindy “had a chance to volunteer on a political campaign. I was told about a position with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as Director of Policy, External Affairs and Planning. I was in communication and lobbying,” Cindy said, rolling her eyes. “I was brand new to Colorado and suddenly I found myself at the capitol. Most people down there have a lot of connections; I didn’t know anyone. But I benefitted from that. I wanted to work on both sides of the aisle. I met a lot of wonderful people.”
Cindy moved to Evergreen in 2008, and married Doug Lempke in 2014. Music has always been a part of Cindy’s life. “I used to play the flute.” She performed “through college. “I performed some recitals, I taught classes, and I played at church.” So it’s only natural that the vibrant music scene in Evergreen attracted Cindy. “Doug and I love music. We’ve made a lot of friends,” through music, including Charles and Carol Shirley at the Ice House.
She recalled that in 2012 “There was a fundraiser for Habitat. Through a silent auction we purchased an evening at the Ice House.” She smiles as she adds, “I credit Doug for the idea; we wanted to do something to help the families affected by the Lower North Fork fire. We had the location, but now we needed to have music.”
Cindy contacted Pat Travis, Roger Falter, Joe Bye, and Cort Langworthy. “They all enthusiastically agreed to play. I didn’t really know them, but since then we’ve become friends.” She also contacted the Mountain Resource Center and asked to work through them in order to hold the fundraiser. “They also immediately agreed. “That was a very meaningful event for me. It meant so much to see neighbors see each other again after losing not only their homes but their community. To see them come together and see the community support was really something. We did all right; we raised about $6,500 in a couple of hours.”
Her great communication was returned to her just two days after the fundraiser when John Erlandson contacted her about organizing the lake concerts. From the lake concerts, Cindy met Jerry Lautiger and he invited her to visit and later join the Mountain Foothills Rotary club, of which she is presently serving as President.
Coming in as Rotary President she wanted to work hard to continue the work the club has done for years with the Ice Melt Contest, the July golf tournament and working with Crutches 4 Africa. But when she was introduced to Project Sanctuary through her work at AIMCO, which the company supports through its own philanthropy project, she asked them to speak to her club. “That’s all it took and our Rotary club took on helping this organization that helps our service men and women readjust to civilian family life.”
She makes the most of living in Colorado. She loves to hike and camp; and she and Doug love to travel. “The other thing I love to do,” she laughed, “is read. I started a book club, The Lit Chics. I formed the group about five years ago and it’s become more than just a book club. It has led to making great bonds. I always host it at my home. It’s my retreat.”
This is yet another way Cindy is an expert in communicating.
