Big Congratulations Within The Group Family

The Group is delighted to congratulate two members of our team for being awarded the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s 20 Under 40 honors for rising leaders in the community.

Jessica Whalen, a Pennsylvania native, first came to Steamboat in June 2013 as a college student for a summer intern position with Yampatika. After graduating with an associate degree in business and marketing later in the year, she packed her bags, returned to the Yampa Valley, and never left.

She was hired by Colorado Group Realty in late 2013 as the administrative and marketing assistant. “It was my first introduction to real estate and back then, I didn’t even know what an MLS number was,” she says laughing. In 2016, Jessica got her real estate license and started to work with The Paoli Group in 2017.

Inspired by the culture of giving back to the community, she joined the Colorado Group Realty Charitable Foundation in 2013 (now The Group Gives). Over the last decade, she has been instrumental in the decision-making process for recipients of $570k in funding for local non-profit organizations.

Close to her heart is the Steamboat Dance Theatre, whom she describes as her tribe, and for whom she acted as choreographer and producer for the last two annual dance concerts. Earlier this year, she dedicated her time and effort in memory of the theater’s lead figure, who passed away leaving a huge void.

Jessica commits herself fully to everything she gets involved with, from the local volleyball league she’s played with since she arrived, to her colleagues, and the many charitable endeavors with The Group Gives. Engaged to a Steamboat native, she sees so much potential for the future of the Steamboat community. “I hope to be part of giving residents the quality of life it provides me.”

 

Noah Townsend was born and raised in Routt County and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2017. An entrepreneur from an early age, Noah started what would become Hayden Fresh Farm at age 12, before handing the reins to his parents so he could fulfil a hankering to travel.

In between his worldly stints, Noah kept returning to his hometown where he worked in hotels, property management, car detailing and construction. A freak accident took him from physical labor to a desk job at a law firm for a real estate attorney. It changed his life path, and he went on to gain his real estate license.

In what he describes as a “magical milestone,” Noah was offered a job with Colorado Group Realty before it became part of The Group, and in 2023, he became an owner.

“I’ve worked hard to change the trajectory of my life from being a little ranch kid, to taking risks and following my dreams,” he says. His roots still hold firm and Noah can be found helping his parents at the Farmer’s Markets promoting Hayden Fresh Farm. He’s engaged to a fellow native and makes a point of promoting all his hometown has to offer outdoor enthusiasts through his own YouTube channel.