FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ouray County Commissioners selects three (3) finalists for County Manager position
Ouray County, Colo. – Ouray County selected three (3) finalists today, for a highly-competitive recruitment and selection process for the County Manager position. An executive recruiter with Peckham & McKenney received a total of forty-five applications for the position, following extensive input from community stakeholders, development of a candidate brochure with job search goals, and broad advertising with national reach. Following preliminary interviews and other screening procedures by the recruiter, seven preliminary candidates were interviewed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in executive session. The BOCC interviewed these preliminary candidates on September 22, 2025, and it selected three (3) finalists to advance the following day.
A second round of in-person BOCC interviews with finalists in executive session, is now scheduled for October 20, 2025. That evening, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., a community meet-and-greet is also scheduled with finalists, including comment cards for public input. Notice of the location of the community meet-and-greet on October 20 will be publicly posted and advertised. The BOCC is expected to make a final hiring decision on October 21, 2025, following two rounds of BOCC interviews and public input. This position will report directly to the BOCC, and leads the day-to-day organizational and fiscal management for the County organization, in support of the BOCC and other elected officials.
Any specific identifying information on any preliminary candidates, who are not selected as finalists, is confidential under Colorado Revised Statute 24-72-204(3)(a)(XI) and other law. However, Ouray County is publishing the selected finalists in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(3.5), no later than fourteen days prior to employment.
The selected finalists, in alphabetical order (last name) are:
• Kevin Brown
Mr. Brown most recently served as Executive Director of the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics & Paralympics in Denver, Colorado, where he managed a $2 million budget and a staff of nine. His career includes senior advisory and leadership roles with Avaaz, the U.S. Departments of Defense and Transportation, Organizing for America, and roles with the United States Navy. He is recognized for his experience in global policy, organizational evaluation, governance, leadership, and strategic engagement.
Mr. Brown holds a Master’s degree in Global Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University.
• Antonio Mendez
Mr. Mendez is currently Country Director for the Peace Corps in Mexico, where he oversees an $8 million budget and a staff of 28. He previously held leadership roles with AmeriCorps, Serve Colorado, and the Offices of two Colorado Lieutenant Governors, where he advanced statewide service and community initiatives. He is experienced in government relations, program administration, and intergovernmental affairs.
Mr. Mendez holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree from Colby College.
• Patrick Rondinelli
Mr. Rondinelli is Southwest Regional Manager for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, where he has served since 2017. He was previously City Administrator of Ouray, Colorado, for 13 years, and earlier worked in both the private and nonprofit sectors in operations, business process management, and entrepreneurship. His career reflects a strong commitment to rural and regional issues, intergovernmental collaboration, and community engagement.
Mr. Rondinelli holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.