Meet Denver Housing Authority’s Newly Elected Board of Commissioners Officers
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) announced today that Charles Gilford III has been elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
“Charles is an excellent selection as chair of our commission,” Joaquín Cintrón Vega, chief executive officer said. “His extensive experience and people-centered approach provide strong leadership for DHA.”
Gilford is a proud Colorado native and innovative leader with a passion for and commitment to serving others. Deeply involved in the community, his experience spans functions, and industries in both public and private sectors. He currently serves as CEO of Inner-City Health Center and formerly served as the director of regional affairs to Mayor Michael B. Hancock in the City and County of Denver. Additionally, Gilford serves on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Board as a Gubernatorial appointee, the 18th Judicial Performance Review Commission as a Gubernatorial appointee, the board for Rocky Mountain PBS, the board for Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, the Board for Fully Liberated Youth, is an associate pastor for ONE at Potter’s House Church and is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and is the first African American appointed to the University of Colorado at Boulders Leadership Institute Advisory Board.
In addition to electing Gilford as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Sergio Ferrufino serves as vice chair and Melinda Pollack serves as treasurer.
Ferrufino is one of the most accomplished and recognized broadcasters in Spanish media in Colorado. He is the executive producer and host of the popular and community-oriented radio show “La Voz del Pueblo.” The show allows him to interact with listeners daily and procure solutions to their everyday problems in areas such as housing, finance and education.
Pollack is the managing director at Blue Meridian Partners. Prior to joining Blue Meridian, Melinda was senior vice president for National Initiatives at Enterprise Community Partners where she oversaw strategic planning, national fundraising, and program management with a focus on affordable housing, economic mobility, racial equity, health and environment.
Limelight Hotels Announces Team Growth and Development Progress for Forthcoming Boulder Location
Limelight Hotels announced the recent appointment of Angela Blackstock as the director of sales and marketing of its highly anticipated new hotel, Limelight Boulder, which is set to open in 2025 on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Her appointment marks a significant step forward in the preparations for the opening of Limelight Boulder as the property reaches new development milestones.
The first and only hotel project in partnership with the University of Colorado, Limelight Boulder will feature 252 rooms, a ground-floor restaurant, and an outdoor plaza designed as a public gathering space for the local community and various events. The hotel boasts 30,000 square feet of conference space among which is a highly versatile 15,000-square-foot ballroom, suitable for hosting a wide range of events from academic conferences to community gatherings.
“We are delighted to welcome Angela Blackstock to the Limelight family and are confident that her extensive experience and leadership in the hospitality industry will greatly contribute to the success of the hotel’s opening and beyond,” Alinio Azevedo, CEO of Aspen Hospitality, a division of Aspen One . “As we continue to make significant strides in the development of Limelight Boulder, Angela’s expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping our sales and marketing strategies. Her appointment comes at an exciting time as we progress towards our opening in 2025, and we look forward to achieving new milestones together.”
Blackstock brings over 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, particularly in sales, marketing, and catering departments. She joined Limelight Boulder from her previous role at Sage Hospitality as director of sales and marketing at Embassy Suites Boulder and Hilton Garden Inn Boulder for over seven years. Angela was an integral part of the team opening both properties. Over her career in the hospitality industry, Blackstock has also held key positions at Renaissance Boulder Flatiron Hotel, Millennium Harvest House Boulder, and Radisson Hotel Denver Stapleton Plaza.
“ I am thrilled and honored to embark on this exciting journey with Limelight Hotels as the new director of dales and marketing for Limelight Boulder,” Blackstock said. “ Limelight Hotels’ reputation for creating unique, welcoming spaces that resonate with travelers and locals alike is pretty special, and I am eager to contribute to the success of Limelight Boulder from the ground up as we prepare for its opening next year.”
In conjunction with the addition of Blackstock joining the team, Limelight Boulder has been making remarkable progress towards its highly anticipated opening in 2025. Reaching over 50% completion, the property’s fifth of six total levels will be completed in May 2024, with the property topping out in Fall 2024. Additionally, major upcoming construction developments include the installation of impressive ballroom girders, each weighing 250,000 pounds, which will form the centerpiece of the property’s conference facilities.
CBRE Announces Two Promotions in Denver
CBRE announced that two professionals in its Denver office have achieved honorary title promotions.
Blake Harris has been promoted to senior vice president with CBRE’s Advisory and Transaction Services. He specializes in office and lab/R&D landlord representation and sales, focusing on working with institutional landlords and investors to develop and implement leasing strategies in the Northwest and Boulder submarkets. Mr. Harris has completed more than 5.5 million sq. ft. of transactions over the past 10 years.
Over the past 10 years, Mr. Harris, along with his partners Erik Abrahamson and Jeremy Kroner, have represented over 11 million sq. ft. of leasing transactions in the Northwest and Boulder submarkets.
Nic Weld has also been promoted to senior vice president with CBRE’s Advisory and Transactions Services. He co-leads a team of six professionals, with Anthony Albanese, that specialize in corporate tenant representation throughout Metro Denver and on a portfolio wide basis. He has been involved in some of the largest and most notable transactions in Denver over the last several years involving headquarters relocations, campus expansions, and significant new to market entries for global and high growth companies.
Before moving to Denver, Mr. Weld worked with CBRE’s Alternative Investments Practice Group in Manhattan where he represented some of the world’s leading hedge funds, private equity and investment banking firms.
