We all have men in our lives who have influenced us in many ways, and the lessons they teach us have a lasting impact on how we walk through life. Durango is a community which prides itself on the many influential figures who help us. Here is just a small sampling of some of those influential men who inspire others through their work.
Chad Cheeney
Co-Founder and Coach at Durango DEVO & Head Endurance Coach for FLC Cycling
What inspired you to start your path or even catapulted you into it?
I moved to Durango to follow my dreams of being a pro cyclist. Durango was the mecca, and the pros seemed to be thriving, but no locals were coming up, and there was no developmental pathway to go from kid to junior, to high school rider, to collegiate, and on. I dove into the scene and saw how I could make it better.
What strategies did you employ to grow and achieve success as a coach?
I brought mindful practice and consistency to Devo, Fort Lewis College Cycling, and Bend Endurance Academy programming. I focused on getting to know the riders and what they wanted and needed and then developing their season and training to match the goals.
Can you share any pivotal moments that significantly impacted your career trajectory?
Part of being successful is being able to pivot and attack from different directions. This happened hundreds of times in the early stages of my career. If I had not loved what I was doing during all those early failures, I would have quit and shifted to something else. My passion was strong and carried me through all the hard times.
Natambu Obleton
Customer Delivery Architect at Cisco
What inspired you to start your path or even catapulted you into it?
I grew up in the 1980s and 90s when computers became smaller and more available to the public. My family got our first home computer when I was six, and I have always had one since then. As a young adult, I built my own computers and connected to the Internet. One summer, I got a job as tech support for an internet provider in Tempe, AZ, which led to my becoming a systems administrator at 19 years old.
What role has mentorship played in your professional journey?
I have had many mentors in my professional journey. My years of volunteer work in non-profits meant spending hundreds of hours with people from all walks of life. While my day job involved more contact with a keyboard than humans, this outlet enabled me to learn from their successes and identify my weaknesses.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to become leaders?
As business communication becomes more digital, there is less physical interaction between peers. Today's remote/hybrid workplaces accelerated this physical disconnect. We must keep that "water cooler time" with our peers and direct reports. Almost every interaction allows you to connect and acknowledge each other's lives outside work.
Jack Llewellyn
Former CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, GM for Hutton Broadcasting
Tell me about your path to leading the Chamber.
I graduated from FLC and was the last student station manager for KDUR. After graduation, I spent approximately 12 years in local media (radio and primarily television ad sales and management) and seven years fundraising for Fort Lewis Athletics; various people encouraged me to apply.
What were some of your biggest challenges early on, and how did you navigate them?
Navigating unchartered waters during the pandemic was THE biggest challenge. Trying to find the balance between people’s health and the health of businesses that could not open at capacity was contentious. Understanding why one business was considered essential and another was not was frustrating and confusing.
To what extent has your success been founded on a good team?
My old college roommate once told me, “Your staff is there to make you look good, and you’re there to remove the barriers so they can accomplish that.” An organization’s number one asset is the people who work there. I have been so fortunate to have a great team in place; none of my accomplishments would have been possible without them.
Vaughn Morris
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your early stages?
One major challenge I faced early in my career was keeping up with the pace of play. I was promoted rapidly, and the training, coaching, and mentorship were either nonexistent, not accessible, or not relevant. The biggest lesson I learned was that no one cares if you have the tools or not. I quickly became well-versed in finding answers by surrounding myself with people far wiser than myself and leveraging relationships and networks to work smarter, not harder.
Can you share any pivotal moments or decisions that significantly impacted your career trajectory?
While working at a Boys & Girls Club in Arizona, I had the opportunity to change careers and become a community manager for Del Webb. I was offered the position, and the smartest person I know (my wife Shannon) asked me if it was what I wanted to do. I explained that this would be a huge promotion and would be great for the family. She simply said, "Being happy is more important than all that other stuff." She has never been more right. I declined the position and returned to Durango, where I have happily served kids and families for the past 17 years.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to become leaders?
My advice for someone aspiring to become a leader is to focus on continuous learning, self-awareness, and empathy. Leadership is not just about giving orders or being in charge; it's about inspiring and empowering others to achieve their full potential.