Press Release- Jan 01, 2007
FOR RELEASE:
MONDAY, JAN. 1, 2007
ZAVARAS, PLANT TAPPED FOR TOP RITTER SPOTS
Ari Zavaras named executive director of Department of Corrections Tom Plant to head Office of Energy Management and Conservation
Gov.-elect Bill Ritter today named one of Colorado's most respected law-enforcement leaders - Ari Zavaras - to serve as executive director of the Department of Corrections.
Ritter also named state Rep. Tom Plant as director of the Office of Energy Management and Conservation. Plant, who sponsored legislation that later became the state's landmark renewable energy measure, Amendment 37, will play a leading role in the creation of Gov.-elect Ritter's New Energy Economy.
"Whether he was patrolling the streets or leading a large state department, Ari Zavaras always earned the respect and admiration of those around him," Ritter said. "He will bring a steady hand and an unparalleled depth of experience to the administration. On behalf of all Coloradans, I thank him for agreeing to take on the challenge of managing our corrections system."
The department manages nearly two dozen state-run correctional facilities and has contracts for six privately run facilities around the state. The department's workforce totals about 6,000 employees, and the budget is about $650 million.
"Bill Ritter has been a friend and professional colleague for years," Zavaras said. "I'm very much looking forward to working in his administration. The Department of Corrections has many high-quality and talented individuals and correctional professionals. It will be an honor to lead this department.- Zavaras- nomination requires Senate approval.
Ritter said Plant will be one of the key architects of the New Energy Economy. "Tom Plant was a superb, thoughtful and innovative legislator," Ritter said. "I'm excited that he will help us craft a bold new energy vision for Colorado and then lead the way towards making it a reality."
The Office of Energy Management and Conservation provides educational, technical and financial assistance on energy conservation issues. The department takes the lead on leveraging private and public partnerships, analyzes emerging technologies and supports new programs.
"A keystone of the Governor-Elect's Colorado Promise centers on making Colorado a model for the nation by attracting investment and jobs through a New Energy Economy," Plant said. "I'm honored to have been chosen to help the governor achieve his vision of an energy strategy for Colorado that will dramatically improve energy efficiency, make Colorado a leader in renewable energy, and benefit our economy and environment for future generations."
Additional biographical information about Zavaras and Plant:
Zavaras joined the Denver Police Department in 1966, rising through the ranks of patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain until 1987, when then-Mayor Federico Pena named him chief of police. Zavaras served as chief until 1991.
In 1993, former Gov. Roy Romer appointed Zavaras as executive director of the Department of Corrections, where he served until December 1998. In January 1999, he joined the new administration of Gov. Bill Owens as executive director of the Department of Public Safety. Zavaras returned to Denver government in 2000 as Manager of Safety. He served in that capacity until July 2002.
Zavaras is currently the director of operations for Community Education Centers Inc.'s western operations. CEC provides educational, treatment and program expertise to government agencies on reducing criminal recidivism rates.
Plant was first elected to the state legislature in 1998 and re-elected three times after that. His term expires when the next General Assembly session begins Jan. 10. He served on the bi-partisan Joint Budget Committee from 2002-06, and was chairman in '06. He also served on the Appropriations, Agriculture and Local Government committees.
Among the key pieces of legislation he sponsored: Prescription Drug Fairness Act; the Colorado Renewable Energy Act, which later formed the basis for Amendment 37; and energy efficiency tax-incentive legislation. He has been named Legislator of the Year by organizations such as the University of Colorado and the Sierra Club of Colorado, and was the recipient of Colorado Conservation Voters" "Green Sense Award for Environmental Leadership."
Since 2004, he has been executive director of the Center for ReSource Conservation. The non-profit implements a variety of programs focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, green building and construction waste reduction.