Based in Denver, Colorado, we’re an interdisciplinary team driven by the shared belief that people, place, and community matter above all else.
Fiona Arnold, Founder & President
In 2014, Fiona founded Mainspring following twenty years of experience in international and corporate law, concluding with a seven-year tenure as EVP and General Counsel at Vail Resorts. She then served in Governor Hickenlooper’s cabinet, where she led Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade for two years.
Deeply engaged in her community, Fiona has served on numerous nonprofit, education, workforce, government, and civic boards. Mainspring emerged from her passion for making a difference in the local area and transforming spaces and experiences, uniting creativity with problem-solving.
When she’s out of the office, you’ll find Fiona outdoors, digging in the dirt, biking, enjoying good food, and spending time with her dogs.
Andy Schlauch, CEO
Andy has a wealth of experience spanning all aspects of commercial real estate investment and development. Since 1999, he has worked across property types, varied investment strategies, and project lifecycles, from ground-up development to stabilized operations. At Mainspring, he is responsible for providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the company and its portfolio of investments.
While not working, Andy prioritizes dedicating quality time to his family, sharing meals, sporting events, and experiences. He is also passionate about and committed to his fitness and maintaining an active lifestyle.
If you’re up at zero dark thirty, most days you can run into Andy at the gym, on a bike, on the trail, or skinning his way to the top of his favorite back country ski slope.
Jeffrey Knott, Partner, COO Blue Sparrow Coffee
After a stint in the military, a degree in finance, and a cubicle in NYC, Jeffrey decided it was time for a change. He grew a beard, moved to Colorado and became a barista.
As much as he loved coffee, and loved being a barista, he needed more. After managing his first coffee shop, he had an opportunity to help open and manage a new café in town. From there he launched his own consulting business which is how we met.
After working with us to help open our first blue sparrow coffee location, Jeffrey joined us as a co-owner and the operating partner of our Blue Sparrow coffee division.
Keri Farmelo, Property Manager
Keri oversees property management for Mainspring, handling various company-owned operating properties and assets around the City of Denver. She maintains relationships with commercial and residential tenants, navigating maintenance requests and leases. Keri is passionate about supporting small businesses and fostering connections among people. Her role includes supporting tenant events and community connections.
Keri is a native Coloradoan who enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband Zac, three kids, and their two dogs. She has a love for music, gardening, and rock hunting. She is always searching for unique treasures and loves to travel with friends.
Sara Van Hatten, Sustainability Analyst
Sara, originally from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, currently serves as the in-house sustainability expert on strategy, compliance, reporting, and storytelling as the Sustainability Analyst at Mainspring. Before joining Mainspring in December of 2021, Sara worked as the Director of the Student Sustainability Center at Colorado State University, where she graduated with a BS in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.
Dedicated to merging technical expertise with collaborative, out-of-the-box approaches to sustainability, Sara enjoys diving into the numbers just as much as crafting the next sustainability initiative for Mainspring entities. Sara is a LEED Green Associate and actively pursuing her LEED AP O+M certification.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Sara loves treasure hunting in thrift stores, sewing, or rollerblading around the city!
Kristin Geoly, Admin Manager
Kristin Geoly, a professional with many interests, is a mother of two. She has seamlessly balanced her family life with her career. Her dedication to the community is evident in her volunteer work, where she played a vital role in fundraising initiatives for Westerly Creek Elementary School and Bill Roberts K-8 PTAs.
This commitment to community service, coupled with her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to excellence, continues to positively impact the people she is around on both a personal and professional level.
Kristin has many interests outside of work, including crafting, gardening, baking, swimming, and her dog, Izzi. She is constantly inspired by spending time with family and friends.
Hope Burnett, Sr. Accounting Manager
Hope serves as the Senior Accounting Manager at Mainspring, bringing a wealth of financial expertise to the team. A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Denver, she possesses a strong foundation in accounting and financial reporting. Acquiring her CPA license in 2022, Hope spent six years in public accounting before joining Mainspring.
Driven by a commitment to clarity, Hope is dedicated to making accounting accessible to all team members, regardless of their financial background. She strives to demystify complex financial concepts, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of Mainspring’s financial operations.
Outside of the office, Hope enjoys spending time outdoors running, gardening, and hiking, fostering a creative problem-solving mindset. She values quality time with her husband and their beloved animals during her downtime.
Justin Dano, Partner, Hospitality Development Director
Justin has a long and deep career in hospitality, having worked in every role since working for his father washing dishes in his restaurant. He has opened numerous bars and restaurants and is highly respected and connected in the industry.
Justin joined us as general manager of Room for Milly in February of 2022. He took over both Room for Milly and Queens Eleven in short order, taking on the role of Hospitality Development Director. In June of 2024 he became a co-owner and is the operating partner of Mainspring F&B.
Hailing from the west coast, Justin is a proud Hawaiian and exudes his deep love of hospitality and service. When not solving problems, mentoring the team, or pulling a shift behind the stick, Justin spends endless hours throwing a ball for his dog Button, staying in shape boxing and time outdoors.
Jesse York, Maintenance Technician
In 2003, Jesse started operating a small custom painting and refinishing company that began from one renovation project in Asheville, NC. 12 years later, after returning to the Denver area, Jesse shifted to project management of new construction residential projects. These experiences led Jesse to the point of getting licensed as a General Contractor and have been key to his role with Mainspring.
Driven by quality and functional designs, Jesse has been fortunate to be an integral part of many unique projects through the years and always takes pride in craftsmanship and being a strong team member with those he works with.
When he’s not active with Mainspring, Jesse spends his time with his amazing family and enjoys time outdoors floating on the river or elk hunting in the back country.
Isabella Soutullo, Manager, Queens Eleven
Manager, Queens Eleven
Michael Shapiro, Manager, Blue Sparrow Blake Street
Manager, Blue Sparrow Blake Street
Thalia Weathers, Manager, Blue Sparrow Sherman Street
Manager, Blue Sparrow Sherman Street
Danny DeLeon, Manager, Blue Sparrow Platte Street
Manager, Blue Sparrow Platte Street