In 1870, Greeley’s founding ushered in families, entrepreneurs, and leaders who came to build a community for future generations to grow and thrive in. Never has there been a lack of innovation nor dedication to the community in all of Greeley’s 150 years of existence. Today, entrepreneurs, leaders, and families remain abundant in our community, many of whom have long ties to Greeley’s history. In the following pages, you’ll find a few of these names -- families who have built their businesses and raised their families in our community, and in large part, made Greeley what it is today.
1: Kvamme
Founded by Everett Palser in 1960, Cementer’s Inc. has prioritized family, faith, and community over bottom-line profits for more than 60 years. In 1992, the business made Greeley it's forever home when Rose and Jack Stoller purchased the company from Rose’s father, Everett, and moved it to Northern Colorado. For over 20 years, Cementer’s Inc. has been dedicated to professional, safe, and high-quality cementing services for the oil & gas industry in Weld County.
In 2017, Caity and Nate Kvamme purchased the business from the Stollers, Caity’s parents, and became third-generation owners of Cementer’s Inc. Caity, having grown up among the business, states: “Nate and I are so proud to carry the torch,” and intend to remain strong stewards of Cementer’s, both who and what it represents.
To Caity and Nate, being stewards of Cementer’s Inc. implies making business decisions based on what is right, rooted in a strong faith, will lead to long-term success for their clients, their employees and Cementer’s future. Nate and Caity state that, although out of character for corporate America, they “make decisions based on what is right, not simply the bottom-line.”
The Kvammes believe in proudly carrying the torch and to remain stewards of the foundation that is Cementer’s. “The business has survived all of these years based on the principle to do the right thing, have faith, stay loyal and true to your beliefs, clients, and employees,” Nate explains, “All that, held together by a lot of grit.”
The Kvammes commitment to the principles of Cementer’s, coupled with their faith and loyalty to their employees, has made Cementer’s Inc. a trustworthy place to do business, a compassionate employer, and a generous member of the Greeley community for nearly three decades.
2: Orr
For Ed Orr and Sarah Woodland, real estate is about legacy. Orr Land Company was founded by Jack Orr in 1968, the original location in Kremmling, Colorado. After years of working with his father, Ed opened the Greeley location in 1985 and continues to oversee the brokerage today. His daughter, Sarah Woodland, is a third-generation broker with real estate in her blood, having been in the real estate business since 2005. Both Ed and Sarah have a deep-rooted love for Colorado land and are passionate about helping others stake their claim.
Orr Land Company has witnessed many exciting changes in Greeley over the last 36 years and is proud to call Greeley home. They have been involved in the development of several local communities including Poudre River Ranch, Westridge Farms and T-Bone Ranch. Together, Ed and Sarah are in the process of developing “The Cache”, a large-scale, mixed-use development in West Greeley. The Cache will include unique and thoughtful community features, a diverse product mix and abundant open space in the form of parks, trails, and lakes. They believe The Cache will be a cornerstone in the Greeley community for generations to come and help to bolster the legacy that the family has cultivated for more than 40 years in Colorado.
3: Solis
The Solís family felt called to Greeley in 2014 by their pastors, friends, and family who vowed that moving to Greeley would bring their family great opportunity in business and rich connection in community. Though Edith (Dora) and her husband Joel had a family and a successful business in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, the couple felt divinely guided to Greeley as the place they would raise their two sons, Jahir and Maximiliano, and seven years later open their own food truck, Seven Fish.
The idea for Seven Fish originated as the Solís family gathered in community with their friends and family. As the family prepared delicious food native to their home region of Culiacán, their new community raved that the food was nothing like Greeley had ever seen. Seven Fish was founded with the intention of bringing people together over authentic food and rich community.
Edith and Joel Solís credit their success to God stating: “God put everything in place and made a way for us.” Dora states that “Everything about Seven Fish is for God,” even the name. ‘Seven’ represents the Holy number and ‘Fish’ represents Jesus’ miracle of multiplication in the Bible. On their opening day, April 4, 2020, the crowds multiplied, people standing in line for two to three hours, eager to taste their food.
Seven Fish was founded around a table with friends and family, a key tradition the Solís’ hope to preserve.
4: Warner
Ted Warner, founder of Connecting Point, has been one of Greeley’s top experts in information technology for nearly 40 years. In the early 1980s, as the PC world was developing, Ted was at the forefront of the PC business market in Northern Colorado, working to connect dozens of small businesses in Northern Colorado to a lucrative, forward-thinking market. Since then, Ted Warner, later joined by his two sons Scott and Andy Warner, has guided hundreds of businesses across Colorado and Wyoming toward high quality network support, with a focus on IT Security, and consulting services.
As technology became a cornerstone to every small business, Ted developed deep connections to small business owners across the region. After 35 years, Ted transitioned ownership of Connecting Point to his two sons, Scott and Andy, leaving a legacy of purposeful connection with small businesses and exceptional service providing best-in-class technology productions, solutions, services and consulting.
Since 2019, Scott and Andy have maintained Ted’s legacy, while building upon the company’s already firm foundation. Today, Connecting Point is recognized as one of the premier Managed IT Services providers across North America, but the Warners don’t stop there. For decades, the family has gone above and beyond in service to local nonprofits and in support of other local businesses, looking to invest back into their community. Connecting Point plays a pivotal role in the makeup of the Warner family, and Ted Warner knows that in the hands of his sons, Connecting Point’s legacy will remain, focusing on community, family, and service.
5: Gutterson
Ranchers by trade and tradition, the Guttersen family’s identity is rooted in Western lifestyle and values. In the early 1960s, Michael and Penny Guttersen moved from Galveston, Texas to Northern Colorado where they established the Guttersen family ranch. Over the next 60 years, Mike Guttersen, businessman, rancher, and community leader, not only grew a prosperous family-owned and operated Ranch in Northern Colorado, but instilled hard work, integrity, and community values into the generations of ranchers that would succeed him.
Arthur Guttersen, Mike’s son, was raised on the Western values of respect, family, and hard work. To this day, Art maintains the land that his father once worked alongside his son, Parker Guttersen. Together, Art and Parker run 3,000 head of cattle -- often already out on their morning ride before the sun rises.
The three-generation family business hopes to maintain the ranch-lifestyle and Western values that have served the Guttersen family for over 60 years. Parker Guttersen says, “Having a strong family base and creating an avenue for the next generation to continue our family’s legacy of Western lifestyle and values is critical.” He continues, “Mike Guttersen taught us not only to be a member of the community but to strive to be an honest and exceptional one.”
The Northern Colorado community has been pivotal to the family’s success and Parker states, “We are grateful to be a part of it.” Today, Art and Parker Guttersen not only work their multi-acreage land but work to preserve Northern Colorado as a wonderful place to live, ensuring the generous and benevolent spirit of a Rancher.
6: Trotter
Michael Trotter, part owner of Front Range Roofing Systems with over 25 years of experience in the commercial roofing industry, has been a key player in building the business’ reputation in Greeley. For the past two decades, Michael has prioritized customer-driven service, high quality products, and a dedicated team of employees.
Witnessing his father’s dedication to the business, Charlie Trotter began working for Front Range Roofing Systems at the age of 16 in the shop and later on a roofing crew. Today, Charlie works as one of the company’s Project Managers. The father-son duo has grown a great appreciation for working together and Michael states that “Seeing Charlie everyday is fun but watching him succeed is a thrill.”
Beyond their dedication to the business, Michael and Charlie care deeply about serving the community they live, work, and play in. Michael and Charlie are passionate about preparing the next generation of workers, innovators, and thought leaders and support local school district foundations to ensure that young people are being provided as many opportunities and tools as possible.
More than anything, Michael says, “Knowing that Charlie cares about the Company, our employees and customers as much as I do, is the most satisfying.” Front Range Roofing Systems is widely known throughout the Greeley community for more than just their trucks, but because of the professionalism, service, and attention to detail that the father-son duo strives toward in service to their customers and the community.
7: Fisher
Founded in 1987, Fisher Landscaping Inc. has built their business around the concept of Family. Whether it’s their employees or their customers, Fisher never loses sight that Family is top priority and will always come first. From kid’s activities to community involvement, the Fisher Family leads the way with making sure all in their circle emulate this same focus.
Today, the Company can handle any landscaping needs one may have, from outdoor Living Spaces, Water Features, Landscaping & Irrigation Systems to Paver Patios, Retaining walls and Snow Removal.
The Company is owned & operated by Tammi Fisher and her son’s Tyler & Jeff Fisher. Both boys were born and raised in Greeley and their focus on Business does not stray too far from Greeley.
Fisher Landscaping Inc. prides itself on being a full-service custom landscaping company with most of their business serving residential customers and repeat customers over the last 34 years.
Tammi states, “I love the boys being a part of my life every day, that’s the true benefit of a Family Business.”
8: Sorelle
Founded in 1976 Pioneer Press was purchased in 1999 by Paul Sorelle. Shortly after, his son Cris, joined him as a pressman helper. He worked his way up the ranks of the company, learning every aspect of the business. Today, Cris runs the business, while Paul and Grandad Carroll office together at Pioneer and enjoy advising Cris about new technology that has allowed Pioneer to become an innovative and expanding company. This partnership has led to large increases in sales and profits under their leadership. Justin (15) is a Sophomore at Frontier Academy and has grown up in the Pioneer family and is poised to join the legacy built by the Sorelle family.
Carroll, Paul, and Cris all have owned other successful businesses over their respective careers and pool their vast knowledge and experiences to run Pioneer Press.
Cris states, “It’s a dream to work with my Dad and have my Grand-Dad’s lifelong experiences to call on when making business decisions.” “It is a true blessing to see them on a daily basis at the office.”
Pioneer Press’s team is filled with long tenured employees, and the family feels fortunate to be a part of the Greeley community and actively gives back and participates in all the greatness Greeley has to offer.
9: Duran
Brothers Gary, Larry and Ellie Duran take great pride about being born and raised in Greeley. They also take great pride in the fact that for their first 20 plus years of business, their father Ernie was always a call away to help mold and shape them with business advice and mentoring any and all situations.
Starting in 1979 with one loader digging basements, Duran excavating has now evolved into a regional company that works in a multitude of large and complex projects. All three brothers have children working in the company. The greatest pride for the three brothers is watching their children embrace and make impacts within their respective roles. Gary’s son Noah is a full-time student but works around his school schedule for Duran Excavating. Ellie’s son’s Dustin and Devin both work for the company fulltime and are making great impacts daily. Larry’s son Josh is a valued employee for the company and his daughter Jon Marie manages the family’s relatively new Poudre River Storage business and is making a great contribution.
To a man, the three brothers share, that it's great to see their children take an interest, embrace the family business and bring new technologies and ideas to grow the business. They are elated that they will be able to pass the torch to the next generations of Duran’s.
