After accepting applications for the positions through the first half of July, the Dillon Town Council reviewed 18 applicants for the town’s reestablished economic development advisory committee Tuesday, July 22.

The council interviewed applicants during its work session and voted in a secret ballot during the regular meeting. Council members put a check by their top seven choices, and town staff tallied the votes. 

David Askeland, Andrii Iwashko, Eddie O’Brien, Sean Ugrin, Shannon White, Jessica Taylor and Scott Downen received the most votes, in that order. The top four will serve two-year terms, while the other three will serve one-year terms.

Askeland, the vice president and campus dean of the Colorado Mountain College Summit County campuses, wrote that the college is currently creating a strategic vision.

“I believe that it makes sense to align our visions to help carry Dillon into the future,” Askeland wrote.

In his work at Colorado Mountain College, Askeland wrote he has worked on purchasing property and remodeling parts of the Dillon campus. He also wrote about his experience working with the town of Breckenridge on a joint housing project with the college and familiarity with Dillon’s walkability planning.

Iwashko owns the Dillon Coffee Lab & Espresso Bar and wrote that, although he no longer lives in Dillon, he is “fully invested” in Dillon’s future. With his business in the town core and his first date with his now-wife having taken place on the shoreline, Iwashko believes Dillon could be “a special gem in the Rocky Mountains.”

Entrepreneurial experience, with the Dillon Coffee Lab and Breckenridge Coffee Roasters, and networking were two things Iwashko highlighted in his application. He listed places he has worked in the county since 2016 and wrote he was a co-founder of Breckenridge Coffee Roasters.

O’Brien, the owner of O’Brien & Associates Real Estate, has years of experience in economic development. He previously sat on Dillon’s economic development advisory council, served as the chairman of Silverthorne’s council and was the president of the Summit Economic Partnership.

In his application, O’Brien wrote he has watched the “erosion” of Dillon’s town core, adding that the town needs to collaborate with businesses, resort partners and neighboring towns to fix it.

“It’s time to remove redevelopment hurdles and rebuild Dillon’s identity — bold, welcoming, and distinctly ours,” O’Brien wrote.

Ugrin, a Dillon resident, wrote he saw “political turmoil” in Dillon and wanted to understand why it was happening. With 30 years of business experience as an executive, owner and entrepreneur, Ugrin wrote he is currently building a business consulting practice.

“My interest is to see Dillon come together and thrive in the next five years,” Ugrin wrote. “I also take a financial view — a healthy balance sheet is the sign of a healthy community. I would like to give back and serve.”

Having lived in Summit County since 1998, White wrote she moved to Dillon in 2024 to “have a vote and stronger voice in the conversations and decisions that help shape our future” in her application. 

A licensed Realtor with experience ranging from food service management to being deputy coroner, White wrote she has experience seeing the big picture and finer details of planning projects.

“More than anything, I care about the future of this community and want to be a part of making thoughtful, realistic progress,” White wrote.

Taylor lives near Dillon and is a part-owner of Bistro North, a restaurant within the town limits. She wrote that she has been interested in Dillon’s development, especially the town core, and wants to contribute to “sustainable economic development” in Dillon while preserving what makes it “special.’

“I believe we are on the precipice of an exciting and pivotal moment — one where we have the opportunity to help shape a forward-thinking master plan that serves Dillon not just for the next few years, but for the next 50 to 100,” Taylor wrote.

Downen owns the Dillon Ridge Apartments, has construction and development experience and wrote he can offer a “valuable perspective” on real estate development and acquisition.

“I have a deep personal and financial investment in the town’s future,” Downen wrote. “My commitment to Dillon’s growth and prosperity is not only professional, but personal.”

Town council member Rachel Tuyn will sit on the advisory committee with one member of the planning commission that has yet to be determined. The newly formed committee will meet once a month in public meetings.