Leaders come together to rally for business at Annual Meeting
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce leaders focused on key issues on this November’s ballot and shared priorities for the coming year, from talent development to addressing the affordable housing crisis in the region, at its 132nd Annual Meeting this afternoon.
Denver Metro Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough outlined the Chamber’s positions on eight ballot items:
- No on Amendment 69
- No on Amendment 70
- Yes on Amendment 71
- Yes on Propositions 107 and 108 – Let Colorado Vote
- Yes on SCFD Ballot Issue 4B
- Yes on DPS Bond 3B and Mill Levy 3A
Click here to see the Chamber’s full 2016 ballot guide, with a breakdown of each issue and the Chamber’s position.
“There’s real work to be done between now and November,” Brough said. “In Colorado, we all lead. And right now I will tell you in November we truly do need your leadership on these issues.”
Chamber board of directors Chair Todd Munson, managing director and vice chair for the Colorado market of JPMorgan Chase, accepted the gavel from outgoing Chair Bob Hottman, founding partner and CEO of EKS&H.
“Over this next year, you’ll see real focus on building the workforce of the future. You’ll see us focus on how technology can help us achieve our goals,” Munson said. “We will work hard, we will work smart, we will work boldly and with a clear agenda framed by our pillars [of education, health and wellness and infrastructure].”
Hottman oversaw the launch of two new affiliates of the Chamber, the Denver Opportunity Youth Investment Initiative and the Mobility Choice Blueprint Initiative; several major ballot campaigns; and prioritizing affordable housing as a key issue for the Chamber.
“When you look back at some of our biggest accomplishments you see that it’s not about an individual person or cause, it’s about the collective impact we have when we work together,” Hottman said.
Watch the Chamber’s annual report video to see what happened over the past year at the Chamber or read now.
Linda Childears Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
The Chamber also honored a member who has made a significant impact on the business community during her career, recognizing Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund.
“Thank you very, very much. I love this community and I love working by all your sides,” Childears said.
New Board Members Welcomed
The Chamber also welcomed new members of its board of directors, who include:
- E. LaBrent Chrite, Ph.D., Dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver
- Don Daboub, Executive Vice President of Sales for Entravision Communications, Mountain Region
- Lori Davis, Denver Managing Partner of Grant Thornton
- Drew Elder, Executive Vice President of U.S. Intermediary Distribution for Janus Capital Group
- Norm Franke, Regional President of Alpine Bank
- Michael Gifford, President and CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Colorado
- Kevin Kelley, Managing Partner of the Denver office of Husch Blackwell
- Wy Livingston, President and CEO of Wystone’s World Teas
- Darren Markley, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of U.S. Bank, The Private Client Reserve
- Karen McNeil-Miller, President and CEO of the Colorado Health Foundation
- Jodi Rolland, Colorado State and Denver Market President of Bank of America
- Beth Soberg, President and CEO of UnitedHealth Group
- Mac Tully, Executive Vice President of Digital First Media and President and CEO of The Denver Post
- Kevin Yost, President of WhiteWave Foods
Click here to view the full list of the Chamber’s board of directors.
