Merle Chambers
Merle Chambers was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1946 and grew up in a family that considered giving an important part of its identity. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She then earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She moved to Denver in 1977 and earned her master’s in tax from the University of Denver.
In 1978, Chambers began working as an attorney in private practice in Denver and, in 1980, founded and served as CEO of Axem Resources LLC, an independent oil and gas production firm, which she operated for 17 years. During that time, she also became the chairman of the Board for Clipper Exxpress Co., a family-owned transportation business headquarted in Illinois that was started by her father Jerry Chambers. Merle Chambers wasn’t the first Chambers woman to take the helm of Clipper Exxpress; her mother Evelyn ran the company while Jerry Chambers served in World War II.
Chambers in 1997 became the president and CEO of Leith Ventures LLC, a private investment company, where she works today.
Chambers has been the recipient of a number of awards and honors, including being the first and only woman inducted into the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States. Like her father, she has been honored in the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame, and she has helped in recognizing individuals who have played a significant role in developing Rocky Mountain oil and natural gas resources over the past 35 years. She also received the Korbel Humanitarian Award from the University of Denver. Also from the University of Denver, Chambers received the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus or alumna, the Evans Award, which is given for demonstrating achievement in one’s profession. Merle has also been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and was named Outstanding Philanthropist during National Philanthropy Day in Colorado.
Along with running a successful oil and gas business and adding to the United States petroleum reserves, Chambers represents Colorado as an appointee to the National Petroleum Council, an advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. She also serves as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business Commission and has been a Member of the Cherry Hills Village City Council for 10 years. .
Chambers’ community involvement includes former board service for: the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation; Aspen Music Festival and School; Women’s Foundation of Colorado, past president and trustee; Colorado Women’s Forum; Denver Health and Hospitals Authority; Cherry Hills Village Council; and member of the The Colorado Forum.
She is married to Hugh A. Grant, director and curator of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
In 1978, Chambers began working as an attorney in private practice in Denver and, in 1980, founded and served as CEO of Axem Resources LLC, an independent oil and gas production firm, which she operated for 17 years. During that time, she also became the chairman of the Board for Clipper Exxpress Co., a family-owned transportation business headquarted in Illinois that was started by her father Jerry Chambers. Merle Chambers wasn’t the first Chambers woman to take the helm of Clipper Exxpress; her mother Evelyn ran the company while Jerry Chambers served in World War II.
Chambers in 1997 became the president and CEO of Leith Ventures LLC, a private investment company, where she works today.
Chambers has been the recipient of a number of awards and honors, including being the first and only woman inducted into the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States. Like her father, she has been honored in the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame, and she has helped in recognizing individuals who have played a significant role in developing Rocky Mountain oil and natural gas resources over the past 35 years. She also received the Korbel Humanitarian Award from the University of Denver. Also from the University of Denver, Chambers received the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus or alumna, the Evans Award, which is given for demonstrating achievement in one’s profession. Merle has also been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and was named Outstanding Philanthropist during National Philanthropy Day in Colorado.
Along with running a successful oil and gas business and adding to the United States petroleum reserves, Chambers represents Colorado as an appointee to the National Petroleum Council, an advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. She also serves as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business Commission and has been a Member of the Cherry Hills Village City Council for 10 years. .
Chambers’ community involvement includes former board service for: the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation; Aspen Music Festival and School; Women’s Foundation of Colorado, past president and trustee; Colorado Women’s Forum; Denver Health and Hospitals Authority; Cherry Hills Village Council; and member of the The Colorado Forum.
She is married to Hugh A. Grant, director and curator of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
