A CEO’s Insights

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As my time as CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Corp. dwindles down to a March 31retirement date, I’m finding myself reflecting on 35 years on the Front Range; and mostly responding to civic and business leaders about the great things that changed our lives since the 1980’s “Oil Bust Recession.”…

Nobody wants to pay “retail,” least of all a company that pays great wages and like “a gorilla in the room”–sits wherever it wants. That axiom hasn’t changed in all the years we’ve been recruiting or retaining companies here in Metro Denver. Today, thanks to the efforts of Governors Bill Owens,…

In the midst of strong economic growth along Colorado’s Front Range, it’s easy to complain about increased congestion, longer waits in-line at concerts, and having to call ahead to get a table at our favorite restaurant. There is some truth to that. But as humans, our memory of economic downturns…

Colorado’s diverse and balanced energy industry is the envy of the nation. Our energy sector supports nearly 264,000 workers, providing an annual economic impact of $17.2 billion. Nearly 4,500 energy companies in oil, coal, gas, wind, solar, energy efficiency, and sustainable technology contribute…

On Sunday, July 24, about 400 hundred business leaders and transit supporters celebrated the opening of the FasTracks’ Northwest B Line at the Westminster Station at 71st Ave and Hooker Street. This event marked the second opening of four rail lines this year and accompanied the inauguration of the…

On July 14, a partnership of economic development organizations issued a report on the economic impact of 2,500-foot oil and gas drilling setbacks, an initiative likely headed to the November ballot. The partnership commissioned the study from the Business Research Division (BRD) of the Leeds…

The Lufthansa A330-300 lifted off from the Munich Airport runway on May 11, heading to its newest destination – Denver, Colorado. The two airports have been “sisters” for 25 years, exchanging staff, learning from one another, copying one another’s best practices and, most importantly, working to…

In 2003, the Metro Denver business community and the region’s economic development groups banded together to do what we always do during tough economic times. We got the band back together, devised a plan to jump start the economy, and raised $13.2 million to make it happen. The Metro Denver…

Tom recently sat down with Denver Business Journal’s Cathy Proctor on what’s next for Metro Denver transportation. With the A-Line opening on Friday, FasTracks will pass a huge milestone. Read on for Tom’s prediction of transportation projects:  In 2004, the Denver-area business community threw…

Let’s not kid ourselves. Luck plays an important element in a region’s successful economic development. When it comes to luck, Metro Denver has had its share. For example, the Cold War set the stage for Colorado’s key role in aerospace when the Department of Defense needed a safe location out of…

Tom was recently interviewed by The Villager about the 2016 Industry Cluster Study and what we can expect for the year. The following article, by Jan Wondra, highlights Tom’s take on affordable housing and employment growth: “We are highly encouraged with the momentum we see in our industry…