Downtown Denver Partnership Announces New Vice President of Economic Development
The Downtown Denver Partnership (Partnership) announced today Randy Thelen with join their executive management team as vice president of economic development. Thelen will begin his role with the Partnership on Jan. 8, 2018 where he will be responsible for guiding economic development and growing Denver’s thriving economic base. This broad base of work includes attracting investment to the center city, business recruitment and retention, housing, retail, and public policy initiatives, as part of the Partnership’s vision to create an economically powerful center city. Thelen will join the Partnership’s Executive Management Team and will help guide the strategic direction of the organization.
As a leader in executing the Partnership’s dynamic place-based economic development strategy, Thelen will primarily focus on recruiting and retaining employers; working with developers, financial entities and government representatives in attracting and planning for new development; promoting the center city’s brand as an economic hub and home for innovation in the region; and directing efforts to attract housing development to Downtown while increasing the diversity of housing options.
“We are thrilled to leverage the leadership experience and expertise of Randy Thelen as we propel the growth and development of our center city forward.” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “In his leadership role, Randy will drive forward the vision set forth in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, the 20-year strategy for Downtown, focusing strategic efforts on building a diverse and strong economic base of companies that continue to position Downtown Denver as one of the most economically powerful center cities in the country. In this capacity, he will also work to ensure that there are housing and retail options, attract and retain high-growth companies, and continue to build an environment that fosters business growth.”
“This is an exciting time to be part of the record-setting growth of downtown Denver, a city that is garnering attention on the global stage for its strategic approach to place-based economic development,” said Thelen. “I look forward to working collaboratively with partners – public and private – to ensure the center city continues to thrive.”
Thelen is an experienced economic developer with experience at the state, regional and local level. He previously held the role of president of Lakeshore Advantage, an economic development organization in Western Michigan, and has played key roles in several urban development projects in downtown Detroit. Thelen is also an entrepreneur. He has a Master of Arts in applied economics from New York’s Binghamton University in 1996.
Colorado Association of REALTORS® Names Elizabeth Peetz Vice President of Government Affairs; Madeline Cain Promoted to Government Affairs Manager
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) has named Elizabeth Peetz, Esq. as its vice president of government affairs and promoted Madeline Cain to government affairs manager.
Peetz, a licensed attorney in Colorado, Nebraska and Washington D.C., has been with the association’s government affairs division since January 2016 serving as government affairs manager under Ted Leighty who was named CEO of the Colorado Association of Homebuilders in early November. In her new role, she will direct CAR’s public policy efforts and manage the association’s government affairs division. Specializing in policy development, advocacy, and legislative affairs, Peetz will also oversee CAR’s Legislative Policy Committee, as well as its candidate endorsement process through the CAR Political Action Committee. The association advocates for more than 25,000 REALTOR ® members across the state and works to pursue sound public policy outcomes that protect property rights.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to maintain the momentum and success of our government affairs division through a seamless transition of leadership in Elizabeth and Madeline,” said CAR CEO Tyrone Adams. “Our members will continue to benefit from the breadth and depth of our relationships at the legislature and the tremendous policy work being done on behalf of those members and Colorado homeowners alike.”
Peetz has more than 12 years of experience in government affairs and legal analysis. As a public policy manager for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, she spearheaded policy intelligence operations on the federal, state and local levels and expanded corporate relationships with state legislative organizations, trade associations, and consultants to inform and create national advocacy campaigns.
“I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to work with our leadership team and our members to build upon CAR’s strong government affairs foundation,” said Peetz. “Our members are working on the frontlines to help enable the American dream of homeownership and we will focus our efforts on increasing the institutional capacity and bring new innovations to our existing programs as we enter a very important year of advocacy in 2018.”
Prior to Mallinckrodt, Peetz served as associate general counsel for Professional Finance Company and worked as a policy associate for the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. She also managed a $500 million democracy promotion non-profit Elections and Political Process Strengthening program that administered elections, trained women to run for office, and promoted civil society and governance in over 70 countries at the International Republican Institute. Prior to IRI, she was a Congressional staffer for Congressman Scott McInnis in Washington, D.C.
Peetz grew up in Greeley and earned a Bachelor of Art’s degree in International Affairs from CU-Boulder, and a juris doctorate from Creighton University. She is active in numerous community, civic and industry organizations and associations.
Madeline Cain, who has served as the association’s government affairs coordinator since 2014, has been named CAR’s government affairs manager where she is responsible for researching and developing public policy that affects Colorado REALTORS. With an extensive background in political fundraising, Cain will oversee the strategic fundraising plan for CAR’s REALTOR® Political Action Committee and assist with the association’s Legislative Policy Committee and candidate endorsement process.
Prior to her work with CAR, Cain served as a Constituent Service Representative for Senator Mitch McConnell in Louisville, Kentucky. She is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Mortenson Denver Announces Staff Additions and Promotions
Mortenson’s Denver office today announced that Bruce LePage joined the company as design phase executive. Mortenson also announced the promotion of William Gregor to vice president, operations, for the Denver office.
LePage has nearly 25 years of construction management experience, with a focus on leading preconstruction efforts for healthcare facilities. He has been involved with several major healthcare projects within Colorado, including the new Craig Hospital in Englewood and the Saint Anthony North Campus in Westminster.
Gregor has more than 25 years of construction management experience, successfully leading Mortenson’s delivery of many of its largest and most complex healthcare projects, including the new Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver and the Children’s Hospital of Illinois and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.
“We’re incredibly pleased to have Bruce join our team and promote Bill to vice president at Mortenson,” said Maja Rosenquist, senior vice president and general manager at Mortenson.
Mortenson’s Denver office is building many high-profile projects along the Front Range, including the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center (as part of a joint venture that includes WELBRO), UCHealth’s new hospital in Highlands Ranch, the Denver Water Operations Complex Redevelopment, RTD’s Civic Center Station Renovation, and The HUB Denver among others.
