Advisory Board
The future is bigger than any one of us, and we need to dream together.
LISANDRA GONZALES
Lisandra Gonzales currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Rocky Mountain Partnership. In this role, she works with cross-sector partners to address critical community challenges impeding the economic and social mobility of the individuals and families who live and work in our community.
WHITNEY GUSTON CONNOR
Whitney was hired as Kids First Health Care's executive director in April 2019, bringing with her more than 30 years of experience in health care services, public policy and philanthropy. Under Whitney's leadership, Kids First opened a state-of-the-art community clinic in Commerce City.
JEFF HANDLIN
Jeff Handlin is a community developer, housing advocate, and experienced university board member. Handlin founded and serves as President of Oread Capital & Development, a Denver-based company that has acquired, developed and managed some of the largest and most successful mixed-use master planned communities in the Denver-Boulder area.
JOHN CAPRA
John Capra is President of Tailwinds of Hope a local Non-Profit that provides scholarships that support the dreams of hard-working, compassionate, and goal oriented young students. The foundation currently provides seven scholarships totaling $27,000 a year.
MARILEE MENARD
Menard began her career in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill. She then worked for a number of trade associations, heading their legislative and public affairs departments. Menard retired after 22 years as the Executive Director of an international organization, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
MEG JOHN
Meg John leads the Colorado BioScience Institute’s work to cultivate and diversify Colorado’s life sciences workforce, from classroom, to campus, to career. She’s committed to expanding opportunities to purpose-driven, high-paying jobs for all. She secures programmatic funding for leadership and job training. Her leadership in building and sustaining STEM partnerships connects ecosystem expertise with classroom and campus programs.
JOHN SEPACH
John is a retired Westminster Public School educator where he worked for 33 years. He served as Governor Ritter's STEM Chairperson from 2006 to 2009. Additionally, he has served on a number of advisory boards over the years including STEM Jobs Magazine, Front Range Community College Business Advisory, and the Colorado Education Initiative- AI Policy Committee.
THERAN OLSEN
Theran Olsen serves as division manager at Brannan Sand and Gravel in Colorado which has a long history of partnership with Adams County communities.
GLENN PLAGENS
Glenn Plagens is the CEO of Manufacturer’s EDGE, Colorado’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center. Manufacturer’s EDGE provides onsite support, planning, training, and technical assistance to Colorado’s manufacturing community.
KEVIN HARRISON
Kevin is a Sr. Superintendent for Adolfson & Peterson Construction where he has worked for 16 years. He started out as a carpenter and has worked his way up over the years. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in construction management. Over the past 5 years, he has had the opportunity to build / renovate CTE facilities and enjoys giving younger students the opportunity to focus on a trade or skill set is extremely important to current markets.
STAN HICKEY
Stan Hickory is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CU Boulder. Among his duties is running CU Boulder’s flagship entrepreneurial competition, The New Venture Challenge – ranked as one of the top venture challenges in the country. Stan also runs the High School New Venture Challenge which offers entrepreneurial learning and collegiate scholarships for high school students across Colorado.
BARRY BURCH
Barry is a public servant with 15 years of experience in good government. Currently, he serves as the Manager of External Affairs for Denver International Airport (DEN). He serves as a conduit for communication between airport officials and key constituencies in the community, domestically and abroad with a focus on moving initiatives from concept to completion. Barry is also an integrated leader in managing external outreach efforts for DEN’s Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation, air service initiatives and other airport priorities.
Dr. MICHELE HANEY
Dr. Michele Haney assumed duties as the ninth President of Red Rocks Community College in January 2008. Prior to becoming president of RRCC, Dr. Haney had been President of Morgan Community College since 2003. From 1992-2003 she was at Front Range Community College where she served as vice president for instruction and student services, and chief academic officer. Dr. Haney holds a Ph.D. in counseling from the University of Wyoming, a master’s from Chapman College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.
ANN TREBESCH
Stan Hickory is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CU Boulder. Among his duties is running CU Boulder’s flagship entrepreneurial competition, The New Venture Challenge – ranked as one of the top venture challenges in the country. Stan also runs the High School New Venture Challenge which offers entrepreneurial learning and collegiate scholarships for high school students across Colorado.
JAMIE PEARSON
As the Talent Partnership Lead for the Mountain Division of CommonSpirit Health, Jamie partners with Colorado, Utah, and western Kansas’s communities to build apprenticeship and training opportunities for Centura Health associates and those looking to enter the healthcare industry to better serve our incredible communities. Additionally, she leads the New Grad RN Residency Recruitment team, helping to transition future nursing students from the classroom to bedside of their patients.
RAYMOND GONZALES
Ray serves as President of Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Additionaly, Raymond serves as a gubernatorial appointee on the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. He also serves as an active Board member for the Colorado Bioscience Association, Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority and Rocky Mountain Partnership.
NOELLE GLASSER
Noelle Glasser has built a successful career spanning over two decades in the fields of human resources and workforce development. As a Business Development Representative at the Adams County Workforce & Business Center, she takes a holistic, human-centered approach to workforce development, focusing on building relationships, understanding needs, and creating opportunities that benefit the entire community.
JAMIE CHAVEZ
Jamie Chavez is a Colorado native with a deep-rooted love for Westminster and its vibrant community. As the President & CEO of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, Jamie is dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Jamie's journey has taken her across various landscapes, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of California and the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. Along the way, she has accumulated a wealth of diverse experiences and skills.
WILL HILLEN
Will serves as CEO at Hillen Corporation. Hillen Corporation is a third-generation, Latino-owned construction company. My team tears down structures and opens the door to new opportunities for the areas we have cleared. Similarly, the career technical education (CTE) training to be offered at the former Ranum High School will quickly open doors to new opportunities in fast-growing, in-demand careers for all Adams County residents. It will be the first multigenerational Campus in Colorado to focus on stackable credentials.
DR. REBECCA WOULFE
Dr. Woulfe serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the institution's education programs, policies and services in support of student access and success. Woulfe ensures the academic integrity of the college; champions faculty, instructors and students; and supports innovation in programs and methods of delivery.
CHRISTINE MARTINEZ
Christine serves as President of the Westminster Public Schools Board of Directors having graduated from Westminster High School in 2001. In addition to her role as a parent, Martinez also played a prominent role in the passage of the 2018 mill levy override. She also serves as Vice President of Grace Property Management & Real Estate.
LINDSAY KIMBALL
Lindsey servse as the City of Westminster'sEconomic Development Director. Kimball is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in a diverse range of economic development functions, locations, and organizations. She oversees business relationships and economic development for the City including small business support and business development throughout the city.
KEN CIANCIO
Ken has served as Westminster Public Schools as President of the Board of Directors with nearly a decade on the board. Currently, he is chairperson of Adams County Foundation. He also has volunteered as Adams County Fire District board of directors.
DR. DEB ROYBAL
Dr. Roybal serves as President of Roybal and Blanc LLC. Her leadership development and team effectiveness consulting practice focuses on cultivating strong leaders at all levels of healthcare organizations. She is an Associate Professor in the Rueckert Harman College for Health Professions at Regis.