Executive Board

Dana Strand O’Connor, President

UPCC President - Dana Strand O'Connor

Dana Strand O’Connor

Dana moved to University Park in spring of 2004. She and her husband Rob and bought a 1950s ranch that needed a lot of TLC but loved the neighborhood and back yard. Since 2004, Dana and Rob have had two sons and her oldest attends University Park Elementary, the other is still a preschooler.  Dana works part time on eMarketing initiatives and full time on being a Mom. Dana was a charter member of the University Park Moms Club and part of her role in the Moms group was to be the UPCC liaison. Over the past eight years, she has chaired the 4th of July and Sing and Sleigh events, redesigned the website, initiated the email list, managed the due payer database, got the UPCC set up on PayPal, is the distributor of graffiti supplies to all, spear headed the 125th celebration, started an initiative to rehab Harvard Gulch Trail and served as the vice president. Dana got involved with the UPCC because she wanted to be part of a community and she believes the UPCC can help foster community for her family and neighborhood.

Jennifer Schmidt, Vice President

Jennifer Schmidt

Jennifer Schmidt is a wife and mother of two.  In her past she was a geologist, exploring for energy, however, now she tries to tame the energy in her household by getting outdoors and exploring.  She enjoys her neighborhood, hiking, biking, skiing, and spending time with her family.

 Traci Samaras, Secretary

UPCC Secretary - Traci Samaras

Traci Samaras

Traci and husband Andy have lived in UP since 2003, and they have two girls Addison and Jillian, as well as three dogs. Traci is a full time stay-at-home Mom, but prior to this role in life, she was a hotel General Manager. Traci first became aware of the UPCC when she was notified by a neighbor that a dry cleaner directly behind her house was vacating, and a bar was moving in. Traci worked with former president, Pat Cashen, to create a good neighbor agreement. Next Traci became a block captain (the person who delivers the UPWords to your door), then she became her block’s party planner, and about four years ago, when she noticed there was an open board position for secretary, she thought she would help out and fill-in for a few months. Traci was great at her new position from the start, and the board asked her to stay on. Luckily, she has continually agreed. Traci’s interests outside of home and community include travel, crafts/painting, cooking, comedy shows, and shopping.  Traci is also gives generously of her time to UPark Elementary where her oldest daughter attends school.

CO-Treasurers, June Morgan and Ryan Zorn

June Morgan

Longer ago than she can remember, June Morgan was elected Co-Treasurer of UPCC with her late husband, Joe, owner of Morgan’s Pharmacy, at Evans and South Downing. June had moved to Denver in 1958. She and her then-husband, and children lived on South St. Paul Street, next door to Joe and his family. After both June and Joe lost their spouses, Joe asked June out for ice cream. They were married in 1972 and moved their large family to South Monroe Street.

June is a watercolorist, gardener, and frequent hostess, opening her home to her monthly art groups, as well as the regular UPCC Board meetings. She has 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and weekly family dinners, cooked by June, will include two to 10 people around the table.

Ryan Zorn

Ryan was born and raised in Fort Morgan, CO. Upon graduation from Colorado School of Mines in 1996, he spent 13 years working in Houston and New York in various investment banking and fund management roles each focused on the oil and gas sector. He returned home to Colorado in 2009 and works for Bonanza Creek Energy in finance. He and his wife, Lisa, have three young children, two boys ages 5 and 2 years and a baby girl.