After moving to Steamboat in 2008 from Vail, where he worked as a commercial lender, Jeremy Behling is proud to be a part of Steamboat’s community and hopes that the least he can do is add to it.

“I’ve lived in a lot of different places and Steamboat is by far the most community-driven,” he says. “I get the warmest sense of community here over any other place I’ve ever lived. Wanting to continue that, I look at what I can do to keep it such an amazing place.”

A banker turned entrepreneur, Behling purchased Yampa Valley Tire Pros & Express Lube and Four Star Auto Repair in August 2014. He says the career change seemed like a natural fit following his role as vice president of Alpine Bank, where, due to compliance, he felt he was no longer able to help the people he hoped he could.

“One of my core values is I don’t want to look back and realize that I only lived this life for me,” Behling says. “I live by the golden rule of love your brother like yourself.” Which is why giving back to the community is so important for him.

Behling has served on a myriad of committees since his move to Steamboat, including his current positions as Chair of the Rotary Grant Committee and Emerald Mountain School Board. His role in the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club helps his committee grant nearly $20,000 to local nonprofits each year. His position at Emerald Mountain School has helped him to better understand the education system, especially for his two children, JJ, 4, and Mackenzie, 1.

“Emerald is extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated member of Steamboat’s community leading its board of directors,” says Emerald Mountain School president Sharon Mensing.

At 33, Behling is a husband (to wife Sarah Fox), father, entrepreneur and community advocate whose success isn’t defined by anything other than if he has the opportunity to make someone else’s life more positive.