Alcorn Construction, a leading construction firm with operations in Arizona and Colorado, announced the promotion of Derek Simpson to president. In his new role, Simpson will work with the leadership teams in Alcorn’s Denver and Phoenix offices and lead the company into a future filled with growth, innovation, and success.
Over the past two years, Simpson has proven himself to be an extremely adept leader as senior vice president of Alcorn’s Denver office. His approach has improved project delivery times, increased cost efficiency, and optimized resource management – all of which have contributed to an improved experience for our customers. At the same time, he has proven himself as an exceptional ambassador of Alcorn’s culture, instilling confidence so employees and customers can rest assured that he will champion Alcorn’s unique brand of project delivery and partnership. Simpson holds an undergraduate degree in construction management and a doctorate in advanced construction methodologies from Glasgow University in the U.K. He started his career in the field completing complex industrial, office, and retail design-build projects in the U.K. before moving to California, where he led a team that completed over 1,000 multi-family units for Milender White Construction. In total, he has 25 years of experience in the industry.
“Since joining Alcorn, Derek has shown a rare ability to manage the complexities of construction in the Denver office in a way that has put us in the strongest position we have ever been in as a company. He has earned the respect of our employees, and the customers who have had the opportunity to work with him have expressed that he does a great job and is an excellent reflection of Alcorn’s culture and brand,” said Chris and Amy Alcorn.
“I am honored to take on the role of president at Alcorn Construction,” said Simpson. “The company has a rich history of excellence, and I am excited to lead our talented team as we build on our strengths and explore new opportunities. Together, we will continue to deliver outstanding results for our clients and stakeholders.”
Amy Alcorn will retain her role as CEO and Chris Alcorn will continue to provide strategic oversight to the company as owner and founder.
Howell Construction Promotes Tom Nelson to Project Manager and Tyler Pak to Project Manager/Assistant Project Manager
Howell Construction announced the promotions of Tom Nelson to project manager and Tyler Pak to project manager/assistant project manager. These advancements reflect their outstanding contributions and dedication to driving successful project outcomes.
Tom graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management. Since joining Howell Construction in 2020, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment in his role. Tom has been instrumental in showcasing his ability to manage complex and challenging projects, working collaboratively with project teams, and delivering results that exceed expectations. In his role as project manager, he will be responsible for overseeing projects from execution to completion, ensuring client goals are met.
Tyler graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He has proven to be an outstanding role model who takes pride in his work. As Project Manager/Assistant Project Manager, Tyler will take on additional responsibilities, including maintaining project schedules, handling permit coordination, and supporting preconstruction planning, value engineering, constructability review, and subcontractor selection.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Tom and Tyler for their hard work and dedication. We are confident that their continued contributions will greatly benefit both our team and our clients,” said Todd Berry, Howell vice president.
DCPS Strengthens Leadership Team with Strategic Appointments of Ryan Slechta and Rob Last
DCPS, the leading single-source provider of integrated commercial property services, announced that it is furthering its growth by expanding its leadership team. The company has appointed Ryan Slechta as chief revenue officer and Rob Last as vice president of operations.
Slechta, a Colorado native with over a decade of experience in commercial construction, joins the DCPS leadership team with a track record of success across both private and public sectors. Slechta’s diverse and dynamic background positions him to leverage his industry knowledge and relationships to expand DCPS’s service offerings and drive growth into new markets.
Last, brings 25 years of experience across engineering, construction, manufacturing, and finance to his new role. Known for his strong leadership and strategic capabilities in managing complex projects and driving organizational success, Last is poised to make a significant impact. In his new position, he will be responsible for developing and driving process improvements and assisting in the creation of annual operating plans.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan and Rob to our leadership team,” said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. “As DCPS continues to expand our footprint and service offerings, Rob’s expertise in process improvements and Ryan’s deep connections within the commercial construction sector will be instrumental in helping us better serve our clients.”
Jennifer Cottgias Named General Manager of The Maven Hotel in Denver
The Maven announced that Jennifer Cottgias is now serving as general manager of the award-wining downtown Denver hotel.
The anchor of LoDo’s Dairy Block micro-district, The Maven is owned and managed by Denver’s Sage Hospitality Group.
Cottgias joins The Maven from the Courtyard Portland City Center, where she served as general manager. She previously spent over six years at The Nines, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland, rising to serve as the hotel director. A passionate leader who is dedicated to developing a strong team, Cottgias co-chaired the Women’s Leadership Development pillar for the Marriott Business Council while in Portland. She is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton and previously held sales and management positions at several California hotels managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
The Maven delivers an industrial hotel experience with an energetic lobby highlighting an eclectic mix of local art and handmade products delivered by a passionate staff. The Maven offers 172 modern guestrooms and the 2,300-square-foot Windsor event space, along with a collection of more than 700 original paintings, sculptures and photographs by Colorado artists, including works by Andrew Ramiro Tirado, Travis Hetman and Diego Rodriguez-Warner. The hotel recently unveiled seven major new murals by local artists, each of which is 8 feet high x 20 feet wide.
The Maven was honored to be named one of the “5 Favorite Hotels in Denver” by Travel + Leisure in the 2024 World’s Best Awards.