String of Announcements Kicks-off Second Term
In the weeks surrounding his July 16 inauguration to a second four-year term, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced
several key positions in his administration. The most recent are the
Manager of General Services and the City and County of Denver's Director of
Economic Development. In recent weeks he also made his pick to lead the comprehensive
Greenprint Denver initiative and mid-month he selected his choice of
CIO to lead the vital Technology Services Department.
General Services is the operational hub of Denver’s local government, providing internal support to City functions through the following divisions: Facilities Planning and Management, Purchasing, Utilities, Theatres and Arenas, and Central Services. In this key role theMayor as selected
Kevin Patterson.
An accomplished manager and administrator with
14 years of experience with the City and County of Denver spanning three departments, Patterson will bring his proven experience in strategic planning, program administration and personnel management to his new position as Manager of General Services.
“Kevin Patterson’s extensive and diverse experience within Denver City government will be a tremendous asset as he leads General Services’ ongoing efforts to provide the most efficient, cost-effective and high-quality administrative services of any city in the nation – supplying the infrastructure that enables Denver’s City government to function at its best, both internally and externally,” Hickenlooper said. “He has been an invaluable member of our administration, and we look forward to having him in the Cabinet.”
Currently the Deputy Manager of the Denver Department of Human Services (DDHS), Patterson led the department’s efforts to redesign its human resources division, created significant improvements in the Office of Drug Strategy, implemented the City’s new energy assistance program, strengthened the working relationship with Denver Public Schools, helped increase child care enrollment, and improved staff training systems. He previously served in an administrative operations role for Denver’s Community Planning and Development Department (CPD). In addition Patteson has been an analyst and supervisor in Denver’s Budget and Management Office, and served on the committee to transition Denver Human Services employees from the State of Colorado merit system to the Denver Career Service Authority. He also helped track the expansions of the Denver Public Library resulting from the 1989 bond issue.
“Being part of the City Team for 14 years and the Hickenlooper administration for the past four has provided incredible opportunities to serve the community,” Patterson said. “I look forward to working with the talented team in General Services to provide the strongest foundation possible to support the City’s vast array of services, functions and programs.”
For the Economic Development position the Mayor has tapped
Andre Pettigrew. For the past six years, Pettigrew has served as Chief
Operating Officer for Denver Public Schools, managing the District’s business and non-instructional support operations including information technology services, human resources, facility management, transportation, safety/security, food services and purchasing.
“André’s experience as a senior executive in entrepreneurial and large organizational environments – both in the private and public sectors – will be a great addition to the Denver Office of Economic Development team,” Hickenlooper said. “He understands the
relationship between economic health and every issue our community faces and is eager to help us expand new opportunities throughout the city.”
When Hickenlooper took office in 2003, he integrated the City’s various economic development functions into a new, cabinet-rank Denver Office of Economic Development comprised of Business Development, Workforce Development, Small Business Opportunity and Housing and Neighborhood Services divisions. A proven organizational leader and manager, Pettigrew has extensive experience with publicly-financed capital projects and procurements, labor and workforce issues, and working with the technology and venture capital communities to promote investment, innovation and business growth.
“By integrating its approaches to business support, workforce development, and neighborhood vitality, the Denver Office of Economic Development has the tools, talent and mandate to
promote opportunity in every corner of our community,” said Pettigrew. “I look forward to working with Mayor Hickenlooper and the City team to strategically allocate resources where they are needed most and ensure that the City’s door is open to all who want to create jobs or revenue-generating projects in Denver.”
Sustainablitiy is the watchword for the projects promoted by Denver's Greenprint Inititatve. To lead this dynamic effort, Mayor Hickenlooper has asked Michele Weingarden to join his Administration.
Weingarden most recently served in U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer’s San Francisco office as her advisor on environmental issues statewide and as her liaison to local governments, businesses and the public in nine Northern California counties. Weingarden was instrumental in working with federal agencies and local governments to
advance environmental goals and implement legislative priorities on Senator Boxer’s behalf throughout the district.
“Michele has demonstrated great leadership ability and
vast experience in managing sustainability programs ideal for this position,” Hickenlooper said. “Her previous focus in city and statewide environmental issues allows her not only to recognize the interconnectedness between the social, economic and environmental impacts of policies and programs, but also to spearhead initiatives to ensure that we leave a sustainable community for future generations.”
The Director of Greenprint Denver oversees a department of five part- and full-time staff who are responsible for providing policy support and outreach on sustainability issues and positions. As the primary spokesperson and point of contact for Greenprint Denver, Weingarden will manage communications support and oversee program marketing, fundraising and partnership development with state and federal agencies, area cultural institutions, universities, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Weingarden will organize the annual Green Cities Forum with national experts and manage Mayor Hickenlooper’s Greenprint Council, a high-level group of City government managers, civic and business leaders who serve as program advisors. As Director, she will also administer grants and other funding resources as needed, lead outreach and implementation planning to meet the City's carbon dioxide emissions reductions goals, and coordinate other key sustainability initiatives.
“Denver is an ideal city to be at the forefront of tackling the important issues and opportunities around energy conservation, waste reduction and air quality,” Weingarden said. “Mayor Hickenlooper's visionary Greenprint Denver initiatives showcase Denver not only as a green and sustainable city, but as a model for the rest of the country. I'm eager to work with Mayor Hickenlooper, the Greenprint Denver Council and staff, and the entire community to propel this vital proposal forward.”
Denver's Chief Information Officer also takes an active leading role tackling important issues and opportunities, particularly in implementing efficient and effective operational applications and technology. Here Mayor Hickenlooper chose Molly Rauzi to step into the leadership role. Rauzi was hired as Deputy Chief Information Officer by Michael Locatis in August of 2004 and has served as the Acting Chief Information Officer since January of this year.
In her new capacity, Rauzi will be responsible for executing the city’s technology strategy and ensuring operational excellence citywide using applied technology. The Chief Information Officer also manages the Channel 8 Television Station, the DenverGov website, and the 311 Call Center Operations.
“Molly is solution-oriented; she knows how to solve problems quickly and effectively, and she has demonstrated an ability to operate a complicated infrastructure within budget,” said Mayor Hickenlooper. “She has always been a valued member of the team and I’m delighted to make this promotion official.”
Prior to 2004, Rauzi was the Chief Information Officer of Denver International Airport. Recruited to the Airport’s management team in 1998, Rauzi designed and implemented state of the art operating and networking systems, software applications, and database management systems software; monitored and tuned system software, peripherals and networks; and resolved all systems problems and challenges in a systematic and efficient manner. Rauzi conducted systematic reviews of all internal functions, software, and hardware. Her responsibilities included designing new solutions to harness more of the computers’ power, reengineering the infrastructure to fit the specific needs of the airport, providing assistance and advice to system users, and overseeing project management time lines.
Rauzi has a strong technical background in software development, network engineering and design, IT operations, and strategic planning. She has applied her skills in business analysis and process improvement to bring strong planning and design disciplines to add value to the technology implementation projects she has overseen. Previous experience includes positions with the Cherry Creek School District, Litton PRC, and MCI Telecommunications.