Gov. Hickenlooper awards inaugural Colorado Governor's Citizenship Medals
DENVER, Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced the recipients of the inaugural Colorado Governor's Citizenship medals (CGCM). Created by Executive Order and supported by former governors, the CGCM recognizes Colorado residents and organizations from diverse sectors that have made meritorious contributions to strengthen Colorado communities and develop new opportunities for Coloradans throughout the state.
"From remarkable economic growth to hosting one of the country's most highly educated workforces, Colorado is at the forefront of creating new opportunities and inspiring future generations of proud Coloradans," said Hickenlooper. "This success would not be possible without the generous and collaborative contributions within our business, government and nonprofit communities. This medal honors their commitment to making Colorado a great place to work, live and play."
The award categories and 2015 award recipients include:
1. Growth and Innovation: Nancy Phillips, Co-founder, President and CEO of ViaWest – This award is given to an entrepreneur who has led with exceptional ingenuity and growth while inspiring and creating new possibilities for others. A 30-year veteran of the telecommunications, infrastructure and technology industries, Ms. Phillips embodies Colorado's spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
2. Public Service: John Suthers, Mayor of Colorado Springs – This award is reserved for a government leader who serves the public with innovation, operational excellence and progressive vision. From his previous tenure as Colorado's Attorney General to his current position as Mayor of Colorado Springs, Mr. Suthers' service to Colorado runs deep and epitomizes true public service.
3. Emerging Community Leader: Craig Smith, President of HomeAdvisor – This award recognizes a young business or nonprofit leader who has demonstrated professional excellence and positive impact on the community. Mr. Smith's commitment to his business and community – most notably through his work with Children's Hospital Colorado's Corporate Leadership Council and the Beanstalk Foundation – has made far-reaching impacts throughout Colorado.
4. Vanguard Legacy Award: Daniel L. Ritchie – This award is given to a business leader who has made transformational contributions to the community throughout his or her career. Mr. Ritchie has made countless transformational contributions to Colorado's educational, arts and community organizations through his work with the University of Denver and The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, among others.
5. Corporate Citizenship: Zayo Group – This recognition is reserved for a Colorado-based company that has made a significant positive impact in the community. Zayo extends its passion for innovation into the local community where it works with organizations to promote entrepreneurship, draw underrepresented groups to STEM fields and empower Colorado's technology community.
Hickenlooper will present the awards at a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at the Governor's Residence.
The efforts of this year's CGCM honorees highlight a new way Colorado business, government and nonprofit communities are coming together to actively collaborate and lead. Hickenlooper hopes this level of recognition will inspire future generations of business leaders to serve the interests of the state – a sentiment that is shared by all of Colorado's living governors.
"I hope that we have created a lasting tradition of living governors standing together to celebrate leaders doing good in the community," said former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.
With a 17-year history of inspiring Colorado's leaders, Quarterly Forum was designated by Hickenlooper to handle the non-partisan management, nomination and selection process of this new Colorado tradition. The governor selected the 2015 medal recipients from a group of finalists provided by the Quarterly Forum Board and designated Selection Committee. Starting in 2016, Quarterly Forum's CGCM Selection Committee will be chaired by IHS Chairman and CEO Jerre Stead, an exemplary member of the Colorado business community and a Quarterly Forum member.
About Quarterly Forum
Quarterly Forum is a Colorado-based leadership organization that connects, educates and inspires the state's emerging leaders. The organization has a 17-year history of providing a place for developing executives to dream more, learn more, do more and become more by fostering strong ties among the business, government and nonprofit sectors in Colorado. Quarterly Forum is a non-partisan and by-invitation membership-based community that represents diverse industries including healthcare, energy, agriculture, private equity, nonprofit, professional service providers, restaurants, consumer products and services, hospitality, real estate, building products media, technology and telecom.
Kathy Green | [email protected] |303-550-9276
Ashley Cohen | [email protected] |303-522-0783
SOURCE Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
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