Press Release- Feb 05, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MONDAY, FEB. 5, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER NAMES DONALD M. ELLIMAN JR. AS DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Gov. Bill Ritter today named Donald M. Elliman Jr., a longtime publishing executive and former president of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, as director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Elliman will assume his new role in March. The appointment fills the final office director and department executive director position in the Ritter administration.
"Don will bring a unique mix of national experience and local expertise to one of the most important leadership jobs in state government," Ritter said. "Don will help us create opportunities and capitalize on the possibilities around economic development, business development and business retention. Colorado is open for business, and Don will help make Colorado the first state businesses think of when considering relocation and the last state they would ever want to leave."
Elliman enjoyed a 32-year career at Time Inc. in a variety of roles, including publisher of People magazine and president and publisher of Sports Illustrated. He retired as executive vice president of Time Inc. at the end of 1999 and on Jan. 4, 2000, was named president and CEO of Ascent Sports, which became Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. The company owns the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets and the Pepsi Center. He retired from that position in 2004.
Elliman is past chairman of the board of Children's Hospital in Denver and co-chairman of the fundraising campaign to construct a new hospital building. He serves on the boards of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Colorado Public Radio and the Gates Family Foundation.
"Economic development is a means to an end," Elliman said. "If we don't have a robust economy, we will not be able to accomplish our goals or invest in areas such as education, transportation and health care. I intend to represent the business community within the administration and ensure that we're doing everything possible to create new jobs, retain our existing companies and grow our businesses."
Stewart Bliss will remain as interim director of the office until Elliman comes aboard. "I am extremely grateful to Stewart for stepping in to lead the office and assist me in the search for a permanent director," Ritter said.