FALL Welcome New Chamber Chairman John Beeble

Transcription

1 FALL 2012 Welcome New Chamber Chairman John Beeble

2 L e t t e r f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t A few short days after this edition of Business Altitude is released, Colorado voters will help elect our nation s president, new congressional, state and local leaders, and will make decisions on a variety of issues from local school funding to the legalization of marijuana. As always, election season is an exciting, if exhausting, time. It is a great time to reflect on the role we each play in shaping our state s and our nation s future by considering key issues and making decisions about who is best to represent and lead us. While the Chamber is a nonpartisan organization and does not weigh in on candidates, we do take positions on legislation that will have potential impacts on the business community and the overall economic climate of Colorado. This election season, we voiced support for Amendments S, and we expressed our opposition to Amendment 64 and 65. Amendment 64 calls for the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana meaning that it will be written into our state s constitution that anyone 21 years of age or older can legally possess one ounce of marijuana. There is no question that being the first state to legalize marijuana would be a detriment to Colorado s business and economic brand. California even said no a similar initiative on its ballot. Further, the initiative is in direct conflict with federal law marijuana use and possession is a federal offense still. Finally, it is one more idea that out-of-state of interests are bringing to Colorado and further cluttering our state constitution. Amendment 65 would direct Colorado s congressional delegation and state legislature to support an amendment to the United States constitution allowing Congress and states to limit campaign contributions and spending. The bottom line is that the measure, if passed, will not have any practical effect at all, as state ballot measures cannot force our federal and state elected officials to take specific legislative actions. It s entirely possible Amendment 65 will be ruled unconstitutional no matter how you feel about the Supreme Court case Citizens United, the common sense approach is to vote no on the measure. Amendment S will modernize the state s rigid personnel system so that it will run more like a business and better serve Colorado. The state s personnel rules haven t been updated for more than 40 years, and the current system has led to backlogs in hiring, which among other issues results in unnecessary delays for businesses. This measure does not require an increase in taxes to implement and will create a system that will hire high performers, prioritize veteran hiring and increase accountability. We strongly support our governor s efforts to improve the state s personnel system. In addition to our focus on the current ballot measures, the Chamber and its affiliates have all been hard at work on annual and ongoing projects. The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation completed another successful Site Selection Conference that showed off metro Denver s assets to eight national site selector consultants who help clients select locations for company headquarters and expansions. You can read more about that conference on page 8. The Leadership Foundation hosted a delegation of 150 metro Denver business leaders in Austin, Texas, for its annual Leadership Exchange (LEX) trip, and you can read more about that work on page 10. The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center brought together seasoned business owners with early-stage entrepreneurs for its second annual Main Street Mentors Walk, and you can read more about one mentor/ mentee relationship on page 6. The public affairs team has been hard at work expanding its offerings of policy committees that allow members to get involved in the big Colorado issues, and you can read more about the new Infrastructure Committee and the Education Committee on page 15. We also are so pleased to welcome incoming Board Chairman John Beeble, chairman and CEO of Saunders Construction, who will lead our board for the fiscal year. We are off to a great start and we look forward to working for you, our members, throughout this year as we continue to build momentum for Colorado s ongoing success. Best regards, Kelly J. Brough President Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

3 Business Altitude Published four times per year by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Editor Amy J.V. Atwell 4 The Chamber Welcomes John Beeble Staff writers: Michael Bintner Saskia Young Dehring Janet Fritz Kate Horle Holli Keyser Alea Kilgore Kristin Massoletti Kim Roberts Laurie Troge Melissa Viola Design David Baker Design Web site National Site Consultants Tour Region Cracking the Austin Code Unforgettable Pompeii Main Number Mail 1445 Market Street Denver, Colorado To inquire about advertising or to submit a guest article, contact the editor. Cover photo by: Luke Palmisano, Blue House Photography B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 3

4 John BEEBLE Board Chair by Holli Keyser As the chairman and CEO of Saunders Construction, John Beeble knows a little something about balance. He has helped apply design and architectural balance to several iconic structures in our region, such as the IKEA building, the new DaVita world headquarters at Union Station and the law schools at the University of Denver and the University of Colorado, respectively. To apply the principles of balance is important now more than ever, especially at the Chamber, where complex issues and the need for thoughtful consideration are the rule, said Beeble. It is that philosophy that will guide Beeble during the next year as the chair of the Denver Metro Chamber Board of Directors. Although he wasn t born in Colorado, Beeble has called this state his home since his early childhood. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Beeble started out life a bit unbalanced. As the child of an Air Force officer, he shuffled around to five different elementary schools and even lived in Anchorage, Alaska. Beeble s family eventually moved to Colorado when he was nine years old. After graduating from Wheat Ridge High School, Beeble enrolled at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I was on the six-year plan, Beeble joked. Along the way, he studied forestry, environmental law, took some time off to travel in Europe, came back to school and, eventually, found a fit within the construction management field. After graduation, Beeble moved back to Denver to begin his career. One of the things I m really proud of is that my entire 30+ year career has been here in the Denver market in commercial construction. It s what I do, it s what I know, he said. One of the hallmarks of Beeble s career came in 1999, when Dick Saunders approached Beeble and asked him to become the successor of the company he founded. It was an amazing honor and a challenge, and I had to learn to be a CEO from scratch, said Beeble. I always say I got my MBA the 4 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

5 hard way, and it s taken me about a decade to get there. Now, Beeble has the formidable opportunity to use the expertise and leadership qualities he s picked up during his career to lead the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as its 105th chairman of the board. For the year ahead, Beeble will be intentional in accomplishing a shared vision for the organization, focusing on the health of the organization, economic development and the Chamber s pillars education, health care and infrastructure. The Denver Metro Chamber is as strong and vital as any time in its history, said Beeble. In the coming year, I plan to focus my attention inside the walls of the organization on the growth of our membership. As a former chair of Chamber affiliate, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Beeble stresses that the organization must continue to maintain a strong, collaborative focus on regional and statewide issues. The Chamber s economic development arm has been a consistent, balanced voice of collaboration and leadership over the past decade, and we will continue that role in the coming year, he said. Beeble s radar issues include conversations pertaining to the National Western Stock Show, the I-70 corridor, development plans in and around DIA, continued growth of domestic and international routes out of DIA, and moving forward with the spaceport at Front Range Airport. Profile A T A G L A N C E Full Name: John P. Beeble Spouse: Bobbi Jo Children: Annie and Chris Hometown: Wheat Ridge, CO Education: B.S. Industrial Construction Management, Colorado State University Saunders Construction Inc. has been a Chamber member since 1973 Community Involvement: The Association of General Contractors, Colorado Succeeds, Boy Scouts of America, National Sports Center for the Disabled, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, World President s Organization, Colorado State University, Regis University As a builder, Beeble said he s biased toward the importance of infrastructure to the community, incorporating all aspects with a regionalist approach. This year, he noted the Chamber will work toward communicating and advocating sound long-term policies of all infrastructure components. It is important that we develop a better sense, as a region, of the multiple aspects of our infrastructure all of the shared physical components that are necessary for sustainable growth, he said. Not only roads and bridges, but also water storage and delivery, power and electrical transmission systems, and publicly owned buildings and communications systems. While Beeble acknowledges he has a full agenda ahead of him this year, the bond between his Colorado career and Colorado family will remain strong. My strongest passion is my family. Colorado has always been my home and we are working on our third generation. Both our kids were raised here and went to Colorado schools. It never occurred to them that there was a better place to live. They are a good commercial for Colorado and the region, Beeble remarked. One of Beeble s proudest moments came just a year ago when his daughter, Annie, was married at the Sun Spot Lodge in Winter Park, nearly 20 years after Beeble s company built the lodge from the ground up. To see your daughter get married in a place that you built it tied both of those parts of my life together. A special moment to say the least, he said. Holli Keyser is the public relations and website specialist for the Chamber. B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 5

6 Mentoring relationship continues beyond MAIN STREET MENTORS WALK by Kristin Massoletti and Alea Kilgore Don t be married to your ideas, be married to results, is just one piece of advice mentor Andy Seth gave to mentee Yamili Quezada at the second annual Main Street Mentors Walk on August 18, The Main Street Mentors Walk, hosted by the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, is an annual 5k walk around City Park designed to help budding entrepreneurs like Quezada develop mentoring relationships with seasoned business leaders like Seth. Prior to attending the walk, Quezada was uncertain about the direction of her cleaning business, Clean World Opp, and was considering an alternative career in real estate investing. My mind had hit a roadblock, deviating my path and focus from Clean World Opp, said Quezeda. At the Main Street Mentors Walk, she was paired with mentor Seth, managing partner of the Denver-based wealth management company LotusGroup Advisors LLC. He shared his experience in the investing business to help Quezada make a decision about which direction to take. The investing business takes a great deal of experience, knowledge and hard work to succeed, said Seth. He recommended Quezada refocus her efforts on Cleaning World Opp, hire contracted employees and refine her sales and marketing strategy. Andy identified my skills and strengths and suggested I use them to the company s advantage. Most importantly, he shook my reality in a good way so that I could refocus on the success of the company again Andy identified my skills and strengths and suggested I use them to the company s advantage. Most importantly, he shook my reality in a good way so that I could refocus on the success of the company again, said Quezada. Since the Main Street Mentor s Walk, Seth and Quezada have kept in close contact. Seth referred Quezada to a graphic designer who created a flyer for Clean World Opp at no cost. He helped her develop a low-cost website and assisted her with pricing and referral strategies. He also introduced her to a friend who had successfully sold his own cleaning business. His support has shown proven results, said Quezada. Clean World Opp has gone from having 12 to 30 hours of business per week. I am grateful for his support and am ready to take the next steps in my business Whether seeking guidance, support or reassurance, the Main Street Mentors Walk is a great platform for budding entrepreneurs to voice concerns and receive valuable advice from seasoned business owners who have been in their shoes. Learning from others mistakes and experiences is crucial to accomplish our business goals, said Quezada. We are facing inner struggles without realizing mentors have gone through them as well. Being able to share these feelings and experiences openly with others allows true magic to happen. To learn more about the Main Street Mentors Walk and other small business services, visit Kristin Massoletti is the member services coordinator for the Chamber and Alea Kilgore is the program and marketing coordinator for the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center. 6 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

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8 National site consultants tour region, discuss location trends by Jill Altenhofen Eight national site selection consultants attended the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation s (Metro Denver EDC) annual Site Selection Conference Sept , The event was coordinated in partnership with the Metro Denver EDC s investors and economic development partners throughout the ninecounty metro Denver and northern Colorado region. Over the three-day familiarization tour, the site selectors experienced the region s business assets first-hand with the area s top business and economic development leaders as their guides. The first item on their agenda included a private meeting at the Governor s Residence with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, where the group discussed the advantages of doing business in Colorado. The following morning at the Pepsi Center, the site selectors listened to a regional briefing and an infrastructure panel with leaders from Xcel Energy, Denver International Airport, the Regional Transportation District and Denver Union Station Project Authority. The consultants also toured the region by helicopter, making stops for an aerospace panel at Lockheed Martin Space Systems with members of the state s space companies and an innovation discussion at the University of Colorado s BioFrontiers Institute with speakers from Google, Level 3 Communications, Sharklet, Siemens, and the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority. They also experienced Metro Denver s cultural scene when dining with area companies at the Denver Art Museum. In the conference s final event, site selectors participated in a panel discussion about site selection trends, Making the Cut: Factors Driving Today s Site Selection Decisions. Moderated by Jim Mulligan, partner with Snell & Wilmer and presenting sponsor for the breakfast, the guests spoke about their perceptions since getting an in depth look at the region. Mulligan asked the site selectors how metro Denver stacks up against its other competitor regions. From a global perspective, Denver is in an outstanding position to compete, noted Atlanta-based Will Hearn, senior technologist for CH2M HILL. Universally and across industries, Denver has assets that would be attractive to anyone; especially in high-tech. You also have the 8 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

9 magic mix. You can recruit here and you can relocate people here. The panel shared information on the most current trends in the corporate site selection process. Several site selectors noted the prominence of emerging technologies and globalization as critical factors affecting today s site selection. Daniel Kah, a partner at Greyhill Advisors, pointed out the importance of global nonstop flights and international accessibility. Universally and across industries, Denver has assets that would be attractive to anyone; especially in hightech. You also have the magic mix. You can recruit here and you can relocate people here. A nonstop to Asia and nonstop flights to Europe means a lot in the site selection decision, Kah said. It gives Denver a leg up compared to other markets without that access and allows Denver to compete at the same level with other large cities, such as Dallas-Fort Worth, that also have international flights. Colorado has never been a high-incentive state and Mulligan questioned the value of incentives in site selection decisions today. The site selectors mentioned the importance of incentives, but also emphasized that incentives aren t everything, and that factors like workforce and accessibility are often more imperative. economic development partners served as hosts to the visiting consultants. Conference sponsors for each event included: - Dinner at the Governor s Residence - Co-sponsored by Associated General Contractors of Colorado and the Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors. - Regional Briefing and Infrastructure Panel - Presenting Sponsor, Xcel Energy. Gold Sponsor, Hensel Phelps Construction. - Dinner at the Denver Art Museum - Presenting Sponsor, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Gold Sponsors, Forest City Development and ProLogis. - Breakfast and Panel Discussion - Presenting Sponsor, Snell & Wilmer. Gold Sponsor, US Bank. Silver Sponsors, Mortenson Construction, Intermountain Electric, Newmark Knight Frank Frederick Ross, OfficeScapes, PCL Construction, SAIC, and SOS Employment Group. Media Sponsor, the Colorado Real Estate Journal. Travel Sponsor, Southwest Airlines. - Vail Golf Outing - Sponsor, Intermountain Electric Jill Altenhofen is marketing specialist with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. If you are number one, two or three on the list for incentives offered, you re probably covering up for lacking something else, said Jim Kemp, a principal with Hickey and Associates. You don t have to be the top on incentives. The Metro Denver EDC s regional B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 9

10 by Melissa Viola Cracking the Austin Code F rom catching late-night live sets on Sixth Street to hearing Governor Rick Perry talk economic development, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation s 2012 Leadership Exchange (LEX) program to Austin was a 48-hour crash course in what makes the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World tick. Austin is home to the headquarters of Dell and Whole Foods, along with the largest Facebook presence outside Silicon Valley. Austin earned the nickname Silicon Hills because of its thriving startup scene, which is driven by venture capital heavy-weights like Austin Ventures and cultivated through innovative incubators like the Austin Technology Incubator and Capital Factory. In addition to this vibrant tech sector, the city s thriving creative class including everyone from musicians and gamers to filmmakers and fashion designers generates more than $4.35 billion in economic activity annually for the city. The Leadership Foundation chose Austin as the 2012 destination for all of these reasons, and also because Austin and Denver have a lot in common. Both are state capital cities with educated populations, research-oriented universities and entrepreneurial cultures that value high-tech business activity. Studying a city that s similar to our own makes for more relatable, attainable outcomes and there were plenty of takeaways from this program. During the time in Austin, the delegation of 150 business, nonprofit and civic leaders learned the importance of collaboration. For example, the public, private and nonprofit sectors work together to provide services like low-interest loans, health care and insurance to support the creative class. During a trip to Austin s traditionally underserved St. John s neighborhood, which was facilitated by the program s vice chair Christine Benero of Mile High United Way, delegates received a lesson in community-building. The takeaway? Transformative change requires community ownership to be effective and sustainable. Delegates were also impressed by the strength and intentionality of the Austin brand. Every speaker on the agenda spoke the same lingo, which included references to South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, live music and the city s entrepreneurial spirit. 10 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

11 Delegates enjoyed presentations from elected leaders (left) and Austin s live music venues (below). The trip s chair Peter Beaupré, PCL Construction Enterprises, said, Austin has a clear and consistent identity music, individuality and creativity. It s a fun place to live and work, and they leverage that scene to their business and financial advantage. It starts as soon as you arrive at the airport, where there are live bands playing in the terminal. Another takeaway? Denver has an opportunity to more clearly define and align its own branding efforts so we are all on the same page when communicating our city s identity. Austin has a clear and consistent identity music, individuality and creativity. It s a fun place to live and work, and they leverage that scene to their business and financial advantage. tangible, as was the case with CAVEA, they are the reason why Denver s leaders are eager to explore and learn from cities like Austin. Learn more about LEX and other Leadership Foundation programs at Melissa Viola is the manager of outreach and alumni relations for the Leadership Foundation. With so many ideas marinating after the Austin program, let s not forget that these takeaways have the power to produce real results. For example: Metro State University s newly opened Center for Advanced Visualization and Experiential Analysis (CAVEA) was inspired by Arizona State University s Decision Theater, one of the locations visited during the 2007 LEX trip to Phoenix. While LEX outcomes may take years to become B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 11

12 Tameka Montgomery joins the Leadership Foundation Tameka Montgomery recently joined the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation as its executive director. Prior to assuming her new role at the Leadership Foundation, Montgomery served as executive director of the Chamber s Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, where she managed three offices, a team of 23 staff and consultants, and more than 45 volunteers serving more than 4,000 individuals and businesses each year. Under her leadership, the Denver Metro SBDC achieved success by creating innovative programs and assembling a team of high-quality business advisors and a network of resources. In 2012, the Denver Metro SBDC was named the No. 1 SBDC in the country, besting more than 1,100 centers for the honor. I am excited about shifting my focus from small business development to developing leadership programs that inspire civic engagement, said Montgomery. I am honored that Kelly Brough, the team and the Board of Directors have chosen me to lead such a reputable organization. I look forward to serving the business community, the Chamber and its affiliates in this new capacity. Montgomery holds a bachelor s degree from Spelman College and a master s degree in public administration from Columbia University. In May 2012, Johnson & Wales University conferred upon Tameka an honorary doctorate of business administration in entrepreneurship. 12 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

13 Women, Do Something for Yourself: The Importance of Self Checks and Mammograms Contributed by HealthONE Colorado women know how to stay actively dedicated to their families and friends. From finding creative ways to cook healthy meals to cheering your kids on at soccer games, your focus on others could fill two day-planners. Do something for you this month and schedule in a mammogram. There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. This number increases each year as a result of women being diagnosed at earlier stages, in addition to progressively more sophisticated screening and diagnostic technology. More survivors means escalated hope for those diagnosed with the disease. Although it is difficult to pinpoint specific risk factors for breast cancer, aside from family history, women can stay ahead of the disease by remembering three important steps: self breast checks, mammograms and diagnostic tests. Self Checks All women should be aware of how their bodies change over time. When a part of you is adjusting or just feels wrong, you re the first to know and take action. You should begin performing self breast checks once a month after the age of 21. While you are in the shower, simply raise your arms over your head to easily check for lumps. Mammograms Once you reach 40 years old, it is important to get a mammogram yearly. The mammogram, an x-ray image of the chest, is used by doctors to check for signs or symptoms of breast cancer and to diagnose a lump should it appear. Mammograms are the best medical tests to find breast cancer early because they can detect signs up to three years before women start actually feeling symptoms. There are two types of mammograms: screening and diagnostic. Screening is used for healthy women with no symptoms of breast cancer. It involves taking x-rays of both breasts by placing them each in turn on a plastic plate that presses them together to take an x-ray on the sides and fronts. These images are then transferred onto film to be placed in the woman s medical record. Diagnostic Tests The diagnostic mammogram is used when a lump has been discovered. While a similar process to the screening mammogram, the diagnostic takes longer because it involves more x-rays and higher magnification of where the lump(s) were discovered during the screening mammogram. These x-ray images do not go on film, but are sent directly to the computer for the doctors study toward diagnosis and treatment. The bottom line is to stay in touch with your body. While life, work and family take up most of your time, take a moment for yourself and do a self-check or schedule a mammogram. B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 13

14 AN MBA IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP by Michael Feinner After several years of working with many business owners, I began to share that, in essence, what we at ActionCOACH do is provide our clients with an MBA in Entrepreneurship. One of the things I ve learned is that, just because someone is the owner of the business, does not mean that they are automatically the best or most qualified person to be running it. The M is really about personal development of the leader(s) of the business. In other words, what it really means and takes to be an effective leader. The M includes their mindset, attitude and ways of thinking so that they will be able to enroll and inspire their team, suppliers and even customers in ultimately implementing the best strategies to build and sustain the business. We believe that business is a game, and while an important game, in order to win in the game of business one must understand the rules, learn how to play it masterfully and have fun. Therefore, the B relates to the proven building blocks and strategies (the fundamental, natural laws and principles) of how to grow a business (that ultimately roll up to time, team and money) so that it is profitable and sustainable. While ActionCOACH has more than 400 business-building strategies that we can evaluate for a business, the key here is to focus on quality over quantity the most appropriate strategies at that time. Often, even when business owners know who they need to be and/or what they need to do in order to get the results they chose, they don t. When someone is not able to hold him or herself accountable (the A) a coach can be that unreasonable friend who will be there to ensure the business owner does in fact achieve what they say they want. Throughout a coaching relationship, the business owner receives the added benefit of their business being the real-world case study in applying what they are learning and seeing first-hand how everything unfolds. This knowledge is priceless, empowering and can be applied to any other businesses the owner may chose to participate in the future as well. Business Owner Empowerment through Coaching by Amy J.V. Atwell With more than 20 years of experience in 41 countries, ActionCOACH knows a thing or two about helping businesses succeed through individual and business coaching, and now the Action- COACH Colorado regional office is bringing some of that unique expertise to Chamber members. Michael Feinner, president and Master Licensee of ActionCOACH Colorado, and his team have partnered with the Chamber s programs department to bring messages of business empowerment to Chamber members in the CEO Exchange program through a four-part workshop series that will take participants through topics including business focus, leadership and team development, marketing and sales, and business leverage. These interactive workshops are based on the idea that a coach does not do the work, but motivates and empowers the individual with information, tools and resources to be able to do the work him or herself. According to Feinner, the coaching process offers business people an MBA in entrepreneurship, where M stands for mindset, B stands for business growth strategies, and the A stand for accountability. Feinner reports that only one in five new businesses make it to its fifth anniversary, and applying some proven fundamentals can increase a business owner s odds of success. Through its partnership with the Chamber, ActionCOACH Colorado and Michael will bring those unique fundamentals to more business owners. In addition to the CEO Exchange workshops, ActionCOACH Colorado will be offering to all Chamber members its GrowthCLUB, a quarterly workshop that enables business owners to step out of their business for a day, get focused and map out a winning game plan for the next 90 days so that the business is on track to meeting both it s short and longer term goals. Also open to all Chamber members is the opportunity to play the Action- COACH game, Leverage, which helps teach business skills using ActionCOACH business growth models in what Michael calls a edutainment format. Stay tuned to the Chamber s website, for details on program dates. To learn more about ActionCOACH Colorado, visit 14 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

15 Get Involved in the Chamber s Policy Committees Education Task Force creates forum to discuss education and workforce development Education is one of the pillars identified by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce that support a thriving business economy and healthy business climate. Not only is the Chamber committed to engaging actively in education policy decisions, it recognizes members interest in participating in education-related discussions. As such, the Chamber was excited to hold the first meeting of the newly formed Education Task Force, which is chaired by Doug Jones, president of the Doug Jones Realty Group, and Kristin Todd, senior vice president, scholarship program, for the Daniels Fund. The Education Task Force is designed to encourage dialogue and engagement around education topics including, but not limited to, education policy, education funding and the collaboration that must take place in Colorado for successful improvements to the state s education system. The Education Task Force will pay particular attention to statewide standards, accountability and outcomes and will focus on the entire education system, from preschool through graduate school. The agenda for this first meeting included a discussion of Coloradans views on education as well as the findings from the School Finance Partnership, while the second meeting explored the issues surrounding teacher preparation. All Chamber members at the Gold Committee level or higher are welcome to participate on the Education Task Force. To maintain the Chamber s focus on business, the Chamber s goal is to maintain a task force membership ratio of approximately 60 percent business, 20 percent not-for-profit and 20 percent public sector. The Education Task Force will meet next on Wednesday, November 7, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in joining the Education Task Force, or have any questions, please visit the Education Task Force page on the Chamber website ( org/page/policy) or contact Mike Bintner at michael. bintner@denverchamber.org. Infrastructure Committee created to cover transportation, water, energy and telecommunications issues The Denver Metro Chamber is excited to announce the Transportation Committee and the Water Task Force have has been broadened to become the Infrastructure Committee. The Infrastructure Committee will focus on transportation related issues, along with water, energy transmission, telecommunications and other infrastructure issues. The committee co-chairs this year will be Bob Sakaguchi of Jacobs and Peter Binney of Merrick & Company. The decision to merge the Transportation Committee and the Water Task Force was an easy one, because of the need to discuss water, energy and telecommunications issues in addition to transportation topics. Water is becoming increasingly important to the region because of the expanded use in residential, industrial, agriculture and energy sector usage. Having an adequate supply of water in the region, as well as a strong overall infrastructure system, is extremely important as Colorado works to attract new companies and jobs to the state. Infrastructure Committee members will hear a wide variety of experts in their respective fields speak on timely topics that are affecting the region. The first Infrastructure Committee meeting took place September 21, Lee Boughey of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association spoke about energy transmission demand and delivery, and David Little with Denver Water talked about Denver s need for water and future challenges the city faces. If you are interested in the in joining this committee, please contact your membership representative or contact Mike Bintner at michael.bintner@denverchamber. org. B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 15

16 COLORADO COMPETITIVE COUNCIL: Statewide Outreach by Sara Cassidy Throughout the summer and fall, members of the Colorado Competitive Council (C3) participated in tours and issue briefings to gain context around the industries that drive Colorado s economy. C3 works with chambers of commerce and trade associations to ensure that the business community is connected throughout Colorado. Coordination across regions and industry sectors strengthens the impact of our individual advocacy efforts and the overall business voice. NORTH METRO ENERGY In July, C3 members had the opportunity to tour a natural gas drilling rig and finished production site courtesy of Encana Energy. Leaders from the Aurora, Denver, Fort Collins and Longmont chambers of commerce, as well as the Colorado Association of Realtors and Colorado Dairy Farmers were briefed about the drilling process, status of development of natural resources in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, and information about public and environmental health and safety. The group discussed energy development in general and its critical impact in the state as well as national and international markets. The group learned about hydraulic fracturing and the ability to drill multiple wells from a single pad due to advancements in directional drilling technology. The tour showcased research, development, exploration and production done in the region Other topics included support services, mineral and surface rights, geology, drilling and well completion, production, technology, reclamation, environmental initiatives, alternative energy, education and training. SOUTH METRO AEROSPACE C3 toured Lockheed Martin Space Systems in September to learn more about aerospace and its impact in Colorado. The group was reminded that discoveries in aerospace and information technology shape the way we live and not only from a national security standpoint. The industry produces and enables products and services like communications satellites and GPS, among many others. We were reminded of many reasons Colorado is a center of excellence for aerospace: n Four space-related commands and three military bases with close ties to aerospace companies are located in Colorado n Colorado has the second largest number of private aerospace employees in the nation and is first for private aerospace employment concentration approximately 164,000 jobs are related to aerospace in our state n Lockheed Martin and seven other major space contractors have significant operations in Colorado, plus 400 aerospace-related companies and suppliers n World-class research institutions and laboratories are located here, including: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) conduct observation, weather/climate monitoring and weather prediction Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) designs, builds and controls spacecraft CU-Boulder and Colorado School of Mines fulfills major research role with NASA (CU Boulder is the 2nd largest university recipient of NASA research funding in 2009) 16 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

17 NORTHEAST PLAINS AGRICULTURE, TOURISM In September Yuma, Wray, Burlington and many other northeastern Colorado communities hosted nearly 1,000 cyclists who participated in the inaugural Pedal the Plains, a three-day, 168-mile bicycle tour event. C3 Steering Committee members West Yuma Chamber of Commerce played a large role organizing the opening and closing festivities, and the Colorado Farm Bureau worked with the state office of economic development and many partners to arrange educational stops along the tour to build an understanding of agriculture and its role in our economy. The Farm Bureau graciously welcomed me as a proud member of their team. Over the past decade, Denver Water customers have reduced their water consumption by 20 percent, even as the population served has grown by 10 percent. New opportunities to recycle water are also increasing, keeping more treated drinking water in the system for household use. These efforts help foster better stewardship of our limited water. Still, current supplies won t meet the projected demand of a growing population. The historic Colorado River Cooperative Agreement, signed in May 2012, paved the way for Denver Water to begin assessing construction of its Moffat Project. If approved, the Moffat Collection System project would expand Gross Reservoir and nearly triple its capacity from the current 340 feet to 465 feet. NORTH METRO WATER In October, C3 members toured Denver Water s Moffat delivery system, including the 75-year old Moffat treatment plant and Gross Reservoir and Dam. The group gained a greater understanding of Denver Water s distribution structure, including plans to meet future water demand for 25 percent of the state s population through conservation, recycling and development of existing storage. Sara Cassidy is the director of C3. She wrote this article on behalf of the C3 leadership: Chairman Jason Dunn; Vice Chairman Don Childears; and Steering Committee Co-Chairs Diane Schwenke and Rod Slyhoff. B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 17

18 Chamber Scrapbook Chamber Annual Meeting 2012 Members arriving at the 128th Annual Meeting (above); Cathey Finlon accepting the Del Hock Lifetime Achievement Award (right); the Color Guard kicks off the event (below). 18 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E

19 Members arriving at the event (above); Chamber Board Chairman John Beeble accepting the gavel from Board Chairman Hassan Salem (above right); Chamber President Kelly Brough leading the audience in a brainstorm on leadership (below). B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E 19

20 Bridging the Digital Divide: How Comcast s Internet Essentials Connects Families to the Global Village of Tomorrow by Cindy Parsons Imagine life without the Internet: no YouTube, no Facebook, no Pinterest! However, the Internet provides much more value than humor, craft ideas and entertainment. The Internet is a lifeline to crucial resources like health information, current events, research for a school or job and online voter registration. For too many Americans, though, Internet access is a luxury available only at school, work or for whatever time the public library may allow. Access to broadband Internet is spreading in the United States, but 19 million Americans still remain without high-speed Internet at home. In Denver, upcoming budget cuts will reduce library hours; further restricting Internet access for those who rely on public institutions. Varying degrees of Internet access and know-how between income brackets, called the digital divide, puts lower income households at a disadvantage by making it more difficult to do everyday tasks like pay bills, search for jobs, complete school assignments or even connect with family and friends. In September 2011, Comcast began working to bridge that divide through Internet Essentials, a program that ensures more Americans have access to, and a working knowledge of, the Internet. Internet Essentials addresses three barriers to broadband adoption: lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and can be used, cost of a home computer and cost of Internet service. The program tackles these issues head-on, offering low-cost Internet, computers and digital literacy tools. Qualifying households pay just $10 per month for a broadband connection and have the option to buy a computer at initial enrollment for $150. It doesn t stop at providing the tools Comcast also teaches people how to use them with free Internet training online, in print and in person. Now in its second year, Internet Essentials covers any family with a child receiving free or reduced-price lunches as part of the National School Lunch Program. That means more than 48,000 students in Denver and 2.3 million families in the United States qualify. In its first full year of availability, more than 5,000 families in Colorado enrolled in the program, with Denver Public Schools ranking among the top 10 enrollment districts in the country. In the U.S., nearly 100,000 households (or 400,000 individuals) have signed up. Bill Gates once said, The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow. Thanks to the help of partners like Mayor Michael Hancock, Governor John Hickenlooper, school officials and community-based organizations, Comcast is building that crucial bridge to connect low income children and families to the community of learning the Internet has to offer. For more information, visit Cindy Parsons is the vice president of public relations for Comcast s Mile High Region. 20 B U S I N E S S A L T I T U D E