Local businessman Sean Richardson’s restaurant, Maverick’s Grille, has been providing Grand County with good food, employment opportunities and a popular community meeting space for over a decade.
He is something of a volunteer wunderkind with an extensive list of entities and organizations he supports with both time and money. Richardson volunteers his time to local boards like Granby Rotary Club and the Granby Chamber of Commerce. He volunteers regularly during winter months with the National Sports Center for the Disabled assisting children with disabilities who want to cross-country ski.
“Sean opened Maverick’s Grille in 2007 and has been an active member of the community ever since,” read Richardson’s nomination.
What problem would you like to solve?
Grand County has a major issue with attainable housing for our workforce, I would love to be part of the solution to that problem.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself continuing to run my businesses and spending time with my family. As my kids get older, I want to be more involved in their extracurricular activities and expose them to the outdoor lifestyle that makes Grand County the best place to raise a family.
Who’s your hero and why?
Definitely my parents, they have been the biggest influence in my life. They are a wonderful example of what it is to be successful, not only in a professional sense, but also in marriage, parenting and being a good person.
What is it about your generation that sets it apart?
We grew up with technology and computers, which definitely gives us a leg up. Typing and computers were introduced to us at an early age and it is my belief that our familiarity with technology allows us to complete tasks with greater efficiency.
Why did you choose Grand County?
My family has had a cabin in Grand Lake for 20 years and I spent a considerable amount of time in the County growing up. It didn’t take long to fall in love with the year-round fun that Grand County offers, and the people are very down to earth here. After my first summer working up here as a teenager, I knew this is where I wanted to spend the rest of my life.
How do you like to play in Grand County?
I love spending my free time in the outdoors. In the winter I enjoy downhill and Nordic skiing as well as ice fishing and snowmobiling. In the warmer months I try to spend my time on the water, kayaking, fishing or just enjoying the sunshine. I also love to spend time hunting the vast public lands that Grand County boasts, and the past few years I have been getting into cycling as well. The longer I live here the more hobbies I take on.
What kind of future do you see for your industry in Grand County?
As the County grows, so will the restaurant scene. We will see more diversification in the types of restaurants and our “shoulder seasons” will have less of a negative impact on business owners and consumers alike.
If you could change one thing about Grand County, what would it be?
I would love to see the public transit improved. Having a bus system that could take you to any town in the county year-round would be amazing.