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Press Release- Jun 25, 2007

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2007

Contact:
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES NOMINATIONS TO COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the nominations of four new members and the re-appointment of two current members to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

The four new nominees are:

  • Michael D. Plachy of Centennial to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joel H. Farkas of Denver, and to serve as a representative of the First Congressional District. Plachy is a partner with the Denver law firm Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons. He earned his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and his undergraduate degree from CU-Boulder. His grandfather, Fred Plachy, was president of Adams State College.

  • Patricia L. Pacey of Boulder to serve as a representative of the Second Congressional District. Since 1983, Pacey has owned and operated Pacey Economics Group in Boulder. She earned her undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida. She has worked in a variety of capacities -- including adjunct professor, director of Research Center Programs, and economics professor -- for the University of Colorado.

  • Thomas Gonzales of Cedaredge to serve as a member west of the Continental Divide and a representative of the Third Congressional District. Gonzales earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and his Ed.D from the University of Colorado. He was president of Front Range Community College from 1991 to 2004, chancellor of Seattle Community Colleges from 1989 to 1991 and president of Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Ore., from 1981 to 1989.

  • Jill L. Brake of Pueblo to serve as a representative of the Third Congressional District. Brake currently is director of the Thatcher Learning Center at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. She served on the Pueblo School District No. 70 board from 1997 to 2006. Brake earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Colorado.
The Governor also has re-appointed Greg C. Stevinson of Littleton to serve as a representative of the Sixth Congressional District, and Raymond T. Baker of Lakewood to serve as a representative of the Seventh Congressional District.

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education sets policies for all state-supported institutions of Higher Education. There are 11 members of the commission and each serves a four-year term. Senate confirmation is required.