Melissa LaMonica – Executive Director
Melissa LaMonica is Gunnison Valley Housing Authority’s Executive Director. She has over twenty years of experience in finance & accounting, people & culture, and organizational leadership & operations; with fifteen of those years at the executive level. She operated as the SVP of People & Culture and Chief of Staff to the CEO in the software space, and prior to that was the VP of Finance in the commercial real estate property management space. Melissa is a lifelong learner and has earned a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University, and a BBA in Finance, and a BBA in Real Estate from Florida Atlantic University.
Melissa first discovered the Gunnison Valley while camping here with her family in 2006, and it was her dream to figure out how to live and work in this beautiful place that we all love so much; finally realizing that dream in 2020. She has three children, two of whom are Western University graduates, and she and her husband own Alpine Landscapes and Construction. Having experienced the challenges of housing insecurity firsthand as a community member, parent, and employer, being a part of the solution to this challenging problem our community faces is near and dear to her. In her spare time, Melissa likes to hike, play golf, and create in her home pottery studio with her husband.
Gesa Michel – Energy Programs Director
Gesa Michel is the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority’s Energy Programs Director, running GV-HEAT or the Gunnison Valley – Home Energy Advancement Team. She has been with the Housing Authority since August 2020.
She has lived in the Gunnison Valley for over 26 years and has enjoyed devoting her professional career moving this community towards a more sustainable future. She used her project management and creative skills working for local non-profits most of that time.
Gesa grew up in Hamburg, Germany. She received her Master’s in Business Administration from the Friedrich-Alexander Universität in Nuremberg, Germany and then a postgraduate degree in Environmental Management from the Erasmus Universiteit in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Gesa came to the United States on a scholarship to play Division I field-hockey for the University of Iowa and has now lived in the USA for more than half of her life. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband and two grown sons when she is not playing ice-hockey or skiing in the winter or hiking, boating, or riding horses in the summer.
Barb Carroll – Senior Property Manager
Barb moved to Gunnison in 1993 to attend Western Colorado University. After graduation she started Mochas Coffeehouse and ran it for 20 years until she sold it in 2017. Barb then started her career in Real Estate focusing on sales and property management as well as serving as President of Gunnison Crested Butte Association of Realtors.
Alisha Ford – Clean Energy and Housing Community Liaison, GV-HEAT program
Alisha Ford is currently an AmeriCorps service member who is serving as the Clean Energy and Housing Community Liaison for the Gunnison Valley Home Energy Advancement Team (GV-HEAT) and the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority. She has spent most of her life in Southern California, as she was born and raised there. Her hobbies include skateboarding, hiking, and practicing her faith. She is a veteran of the United States Army, therefore serving others outside herself has been a passion of hers for quite some time. With the help of the team, she will accomplish spreading awareness of the services that we at GV-HEAT have to offer and helping the community with their homes.
Cari Anderson – Accounting and Administration Manager
Cari Anderson brings extensive experience in accounting, administration, and client relations to GVRHA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and administration with an emphasis in finance, equipping her with the expertise to manage financial operations and support the community effectively.
Outside of work, Cari pours her heart into volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary and cherished time with her husband and two daughters, who keep her life full of energy and joy. When she finds a quiet moment, she loves immersing herself in a good book or enjoying the beauty of the Blue Mesa with a rod in hand.
Christina Ruiz – Property Administrator
Christina Joined the GVRHA team as a Property Administrator in July of 2024, bringing her extensive experience in client advocacy and management to the Gunnison and Crested Butte community.
Her professional background includes years of dedicated work in roles that emphasized fostering client relationships and delivering exceptional service. Christina’s commitment to excellence ensures that every property she manages is handled with the utmost care.
Beyond her professional experience Christina is a passionate advocate for individuals with Autism. Christina’s dedication to both her work and family reflects her genuine love for making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of others.