DENVER – The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce today announced the appointment of
Raymond H. Gonzales as executive vice president of the Chamber and president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He will begin Dec. 1.
Gonzales, who currently serves as county manager of Adams County, brings more than 24 years of senior level experience encompassing nearly every level of government administration. He is known as a progressive and innovative economic development professional with a successful track record for attracting new industry, business and investments. Adams County ranked #1 in the nation in job growth out of 355 of the largest U.S. counties from June 2018 to June 2019.
"Emerging from a pandemic, we need forward-thinking and visionary leadership to continue driving economic growth in every corner of Metro Denver," said April Giles, Metro Denver EDC Executive Board co-chair and Fitzsimmons Innovation Community vice president of business development. "Raymond has proven that he understands the complexities of creating local partnerships, crafting international economic development agreements, and building an inclusive culture of success at the highest levels."
Gonzales will oversee the Metro Denver EDC in its work to unite more than 70 cities, counties and economic development agencies in the nine-county Metro Denver region to promote economic prosperity, lead business attraction and retention efforts and advance the region's business brand, The Elevation Effect.
"Raymond is an outstanding leader who brings the perfect portfolio of experience and accomplishments to these critical roles in our organization," said J. J. Ament, president and CEO of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, who oversaw the Metro Denver EDC before assuming his role leading the Chamber in September. "From our smallest startups to our enterprise companies, Raymond’s commitment to community will ensure that everyone benefits from the great jobs and opportunities a strong economy creates.”
In September after two years of intensive research, the Metro Denver EDC unveiled “The Elevation Effect.” The brand will help the region retain its current workforce and businesses and communicate why people and companies located elsewhere should choose Metro Denver as the place where they want to move and grow. It will be used by many industries in the Metro Denver region including economic development offices, higher education partners and human resources executives.
"I am honored to accept this position with an organization that I have worked collaboratively with and admired for decades," Gonzales said. "Whether recruiting international aerospace companies or working to streamline development review processes, I have worked throughout my career to increase opportunities in our communities while creating a business-friendly environment that benefits our job creators and this region that we are proud to call home."
In 2019, Gonzales was named "County Manager of the Year" by the Colorado City/County Management Association. He also led successful international economic development missions where he helped secure agreements with aerospace companies from Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He established the Adams County People & Culture Services Department, which empowers the county’s 2,500 employees to have a personal impact, influence and inspiration regardless of title of designation.
“While we are sad to see Ray leave Adams County, we certainly understand why the Metro Denver EDC would be interested in having him lead their organization,” said Adams County Board Chair Eva Henry. “Ray is a dynamic leader who has accelerated the level of professionalism in every department of the county. We wish him continued success on his professional journey.”
Before serving as county manager in Adams County, Gonzales was the president and CEO of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation, vice president of business and economic development for SOS Employment Group and deputy cabinet secretary of labor under New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. He also served on New Mexico’s Economic Development Commission.
He is vice president of the Mountain Plains region of the International City/County Management Association’s Executive Board, president of the Local Government Hispanic Network Board of Directors, co-chair of the Rocky Mountain Partnership’s Community Leaders Council and vice chair of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.
Gonzales is a third-generation Coloradan from Brighton. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Regis University College of Business and Economics.
On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and Executive Committee Co-Chair Trey Rogers, I am pleased to announce that we have appointed recognized business leader J. J. Ament as our new Chamber President and CEO. J. J. brings proven leadership to his new role along with financial acumen, a deep understanding of what organizations and communities need now to succeed, and pro-business passion to create a climate for growth and opportunity.
We choose J. J., in part, for his previous experience working within the Chamber ecosystem and oversight of the state’s largest private sector economic development organization. His intimate knowledge of the Chamber, the business community and the region is invaluable for bringing stability, continuity and consistency to our complex organization. He demonstrated to the Executive Committee his readiness to lead and presented a vision that clearly articulated the Chamber’s future.
“It’s a great privilege and responsibility to continue the collaborative, inclusive and bipartisan leadership of the Chamber, representing the diverse voices of our vibrant community to create advantages for Denver-based businesses.”
– J. J. Ament, President and CEO, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Navigating the New World of Work
The Chamber is focused on helping its members to navigate the new world of work with the insights, tools and resources they need to be successful in this new normal. J. J. understands the dynamics of business and that the way we do business is forever changed. With his proven success at the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, leadership skills and strong relationships, he is poised to make an immediate impact at the Chamber. I am excited to partner with J. J. to usher a new era for the Chamber, focused on efforts to solve the state’s most pressing issues and to strategically accelerate Colorado’s growth.
With the transition, we thank Kelly for working with the leadership team of the Chamber, which has created a solid foundation from which J. J. will lead.
Please join me in congratulating J. J. on his new role!
Best Regards,
Mark Spiecker
2021-22 Board Chair
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Appoints Recognized Business Leader J. J. Ament as New CEO
Ament Takes Reins at Critical Moment in Colorado’s Business Recovery
DENVER – The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce today announced the appointment of J. J. Ament as its new president and chief executive officer. Former CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Ament brings proven leadership to his new role along with financial acumen, a deep understanding of what organizations and communities need now to succeed, and pro-business passion to create a climate for growth and opportunity.
Mark Spiecker, STAQ Pharma president and Chamber Board of Directors 2021-2022 chair, co-chaired the executive search and collaborated with the Board to choose Ament for his previous experience working within the Chamber ecosystem and oversight of the state’s largest private sector economic development organization. “J. J.’s intimate knowledge of the Chamber, the business community and the region is invaluable for bringing stability, continuity and consistency to a complex organization,” said Spiecker. “I am excited about partnering with J. J. to usher in a new era for the Chamber, focused on efforts to solve the state’s most pressing issues to strategically accelerate Colorado’s extraordinary growth.”
Ament will steer the Chamber at a time when the national economy is making a rebound and Colorado leads the way with positive signs of recovery. Colorado’s labor force participation is third strongest in the nation at 68.5% and the EDC’s active prospect list contains more qualified leads for companies considering expansion or relocation to metro Denver than in any of the past six years. Additionally, new business filings posted record gains in the second quarter, increasing 25.7% year over year. The work will continue to ensure Colorado maintains a thriving business climate.
“Denver is at a crossroads – facing an on-going pandemic, slow but steady business recovery and a high amount of turnover in both companies and local leadership,” said Ament, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a critical time for our business community to coalesce around the needs of the economy and workforce. I look forward to working with our partners in a shared effort to address the issues we face and plan together for the road ahead. It’s important that we get this right.”
With his proven success at the EDC, leadership skills and strong relationships, Ament is poised to make an immediate impact at the Chamber. “It’s a great privilege and responsibility to continue the collaborative, inclusive and bipartisan leadership of the Chamber, representing the diverse voices of our vibrant community to create advantages for metro Denver-based businesses,” said Ament.
As co-chair of the executive search committee, Trey Rogers, shareholder with Recht Kornfeld and 2020-2021 chair of the Chamber Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Ament’s ability to immediately move the organization forward. “J. J. is passionate about the Chamber’s mission and possesses the skills and experience to excel as our new president and CEO. After nearly five years leading the EDC, he will hit the ground running.”
Ament takes the reins from Kelly Brough, who announced her departure earlier this year after 12 years with the Chamber. Brough has successfully completed her transition in working with the leadership team of the Chamber, which has created a solid foundation from which Ament will lead.
The CEO selection followed a robust and intensive search, netting 450 highly qualified candidates and led by the Denver-based search firm HR Advantage Group. Ament’s appointment was ratified by the Denver Metro Chamber Board of Directors on Sept. 7, 2021, and is effective immediately.
The Board will formally introduce Ament to Chamber members at the Chamber’s 2021 Annual Meeting on Sept. 17. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jennifer Kostka Beck at Jennifer.kostkabeck@denverchamber.org or 303-263-4561. Learn more about the event.
Additional Comments of Support
Mowa Haile, president and CEO of Sky Blue Builders and 2022-2023 chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said: “Through a rigorous process with a third-party search firm, we were presented with a group of diverse finalists. J. J. stood out as the next CEO of the Chamber. In his current role and previous stint with the Chamber, he knows the expectations of our members and community throughout the metro region and the state. He is not only the right CEO to lead us through the ongoing pandemic, but also will continue to position our region as the best place to work and live.”
Anthony E. Graves, CU Denver managing director of partnerships & innovation and Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation past chair, said: “No one knows the operations of the Chamber ecosystem better than J. J. He has also committed to champion important initiatives like Prosper Colorado to advance economic equity and invest in the Leadership Foundation to educate and inspire leaders to make a difference in the community.”
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
For 153 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council, B:CIVIC, Prosper Colorado and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative. For more information, go to denverchamber.org
Now that we’re welcoming people back to the Chamber building, we’re excited to introduce you to some of the new faces you’ll see here.
Katherine Rizzuto joined the Chamber as vice president, sales and investor strategy in April 2021 and has now doubled her sales team. Steve Jorgensen and Todd Cameron began their roles in Enterprise Sales with the Chamber in July. (Send Steve or Todd an email to welcome them to the Chamber family.)
Steve and Todd serve as Enterprise Sales Directors . They join the Business Development Sales team who you already know: Kathryn Williams and Robert Kross. Kathryn and Robert will continue to serve members at the Gold Level and below, while the Enterprise Sales Team will handle the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee, Patron, Sustainer and Trustee level members.
The work of the sales team is geared toward ensuring even more of our members realize all that the Chamber offers its members in the building at 14th & Market and beyond – from understanding the economic impact of public policy decisions and developing the next generation of Denver leaders to devising strategies to create an economy that works for us all.
“We are both the tip of the spear and the shield for businesses,” added Steve. “We need our members’ voice in the equation. It’s not just what we gain from your membership, but what you gain from our resources.”
Steve’s experience in very large enterprises and start-ups will lend itself to serving our existing members and recruiting new members across sectors and industries. (If you’re interested in speaking with Steve about how joining the Chamber can impact your company, reach out via email).
The Chamber’s membership represents almost every sector and industry that’s present in Denver, which is why the diverse community that Chamber members create is so collaborative.
After calling Denver home for 16 years, Todd’s looking forward to hitting the ground running, and is particularly interested in ways to support the hospitality industry – where he began his career – and Denver’s continually growing tech community. (If you’re interested in speaking with Todd about how joining the Chamber can impact your company, reach out via email).
“A lot of what we do at the Chamber creates the environment and meetings where our members can connect,” said Todd. “Our members do not need to do the heavy lifting to get involved with the community and exchange ideas. The opportunity for connections and collaboration exists inherently within the Chamber.”
Time and time again, Chamber members have exemplified exactly what Todd highlighted: you share leads, exchange best practices and support one another in times of crisis. The community you create is irreplaceable, and Steve and Todd have the great task of making that community even greater.
If you have questions about your existing membership or would like to become a member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, contact us.
