From SEC Agent to Disc Golf Pro: The Gabe Baca Story

This week on WKRP Montrose, Dennis and Rob welcome Gabe Baca — IT professional, ranked disc golfer, single dad, and one of Montrose's most interesting residents.Gabe's journey to the Western Slope is anything but ordinary. From growing up in Denver to working seven years at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington DC (including during the Bernie Madoff era), attending med school at University of Colorado, and eventually landing in Montrose as a single father — Gabe's story is full of unexpected turns.Now a decade into his Montrose life, Gabe has become a fixture in the local community. Whether you know him from his years at the Montrose Recreation Center, catching him practicing disc golf at Baldrige Park, or need IT support from his company Forge Tech, Gabe has quietly become part of the fabric of this town.Dennis and Rob dive into:Working enforcement at the SEC and investigating financial fraud casesThe transition from law and finance to medicine (and why he didn't finish med school)What it's like being a single dad in a small townProfessional disc golf — Gabe is ranked 904th nationally and competes in tournaments across the regionHis sponsorship with local company Ace is FineThe challenge of dating in Montrose (and yes, they pitch a WKRP dating show)Life in IT with Forge Tech and the future of managed service providersThe Baldrige Park debate: mountain bike park vs. disc golf courseWhy Montrose is a great place for co-parentingStarlink, streaming technology, and helping Montrose events go liveWhether you're into disc golf, interested in the tech scene, or just curious about the people who make Montrose home, this conversation offers a genuine look at building a life on the Western Slope.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about Montrose, Colorado, and life on the Western Slope.Get Montrose stories, events & local news in your inbox — free. https://wkrpmontrose.com/subscribeThank you to our Underwriters for Making WKRP Montrose Possible:Clearnetworx - https://linkly.link/2akEONuVista Credit Union - https://linkly.link/2akEVFlower Motor - https://linkly.link/2eIUOAtlasta Solar Center - https://linkly.link/2hsWSLearn More:Forge Tech IT Services: forgetech.proProfessional Disc Golf Association (PDGA): pdga.comAce is Fine Disc Golf: [local sponsor]#WKRPMontrose #MontroseColorado #WesternSlope #DiscGolf #PDGA #ITServices #ColoradoPodcast #Montrose #SingleDad #SECTimecode:0:00 - 3:17: Introduction, sponsor shoutouts, and beer tasting with Pomona Brewing3:17 - 7:14: Getting to know Gabe — From Denver to Colorado College to Washington DC7:14 - 13:44: Working at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bernie Madoff era13:44 - 18:50: Medical school, mountain rescue training, and the move to Montrose18:50 - 23:00: Finding work in Montrose — From Target to the Hop Farm to the Recreation Center23:00 - 28:00: The Baldrige Park controversy: bike park vs. disc golf course debate28:00 - 33:40: Professional disc golf — PDGA rankings, tournaments, and sponsorships33:40 - 38:30: Being Montrose's "most eligible bachelor" and the challenges of dating in a small town38:30 - 43:00: Single parenting in Montrose and the benefits of co-parenting in a small community43:00 - 48:30: Forge Tech, IT services, Starlink technology, and streaming solutions for local events