Today, 9NEWS and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation announced Jerome Davis as the 2020 9NEWS Leader of the Year. The award was announced at Leading Colorado, an annual luncheon presented by BBVA and benefiting the Leadership Foundation’s Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund.
Jerome Davis is regional vice president of Xcel Energy – Colorado. He leads from behind the scenes, creating big impact as the visionary behind Xcel’s Day of Service, which has contributed more than 71,000 volunteer hours from 24,000 people across Colorado.
“It’s all about serving others,” Davis said. “When you think about civic leadership, it’s not about the individual. It’s about the community. It’s about we.”
More than 1,000 Leadership Foundation alumni along with B:CIVIC and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce members cast their votes, selecting Davis from three impressive finalists, which included Luis Benitez and Tasha Jones.
"Every year we are inspired by the work all three of our 9NEWS Leader of the Year finalists have undertaken in the community – and this year was no exception. We are honored to present Jerome Davis with this year’s 9NEWS Leader of the Year Award,” said Leadership Foundation Executive Director Dan Lewis. “Jerome is truly a steward of this community. He rolls up his sleeves to do work that benefits all of Colorado – and he empowers everyone he encounters to do the same and to lead from where they stand.”
The 9NEWS Leader of the Year Award recognizes outstanding leaders who are inspiring the community and leading the way for change. This year’s finalists also included:
- Luis Benitez, vice president of government affairs and global impact for VF Corporation. Luis works to create access to the great outdoors. He has scaled Mount Everest six times – and guided the first blind hiker to its summit. He then led Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office as its first director and now represents some of the outdoor industry’s most iconic brands at VF Corporation, all while giving back through Adventures Academy, Soldiers to Summits and Trekking for Kids.
- Tasha Jones, senior director of marketing and community relations for Brookfield Properties Development Mixed-Use Division. Tasha is driven to help people reach their dreams, and she does that by leveraging her network to create more community-wide connections for good. As a dedicated mentor and supporter of organizations like The Challenge Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and the Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation, she builds relationships that inspire and empower young leaders.
“The Colorado spirit is defined by strong leadership. The three finalists for the 9NEWS Leader of the Year Award represent that spirit,” said Mark Cornetta, president and general manager of 9NEWS. “Jerome, Luis and Tasha, I congratulate you on being finalists and look forward to seeing your continuing work in our community.”
Each of the finalists received $1,000 from the Leadership Foundation to donate to a nonprofit of their choice. Those are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Colorado Futuretek and Tennyson Center for Children.
Sara Crocker is the communications manager for the Chamber.
