Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee

Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee
410 17th Street, Suite 1215 | Denver
updated July 15, 2008 "under obligation to raise $40.6 million by July 1, 2008"

Chief Executive Officer

Mike Dino

(announded Feb. 15, 2007) Senior Policy Advisor at Patton Boggs LLP in Denver. Advisor to Colorado gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter and congressional candidate Ed Perlmutter in 2006. Campaign chair for John Hickenlooper's campaign for Mayor of Denver in 2003. Former senior aide to Denver Mayor Wellington Webb; managed intergovernmental and political affairs, as well as transportation policy issues. M.B.A. from University of Colorado, 1988. B.A. from Regis University, 1986.

Chief Operating Officer

Paul Lhevine

(late July 2006) Managed Wellington Webb's campaign for DNC chairman following the 2004 campaign. Headed Coalition for a Better Colorado in Fall 2004. Worked for The Kenney Group, Denver-based consulting firm. Campaign manager for John Hickenlooper's successful campaign for Mayor in 2003. Ran Diana DeGette's re-election campaign in the CO 1st CD, Jan-Nov. 2002, and earlier served as her aide in DC for transportation, environment and energy. In 2000 he ran Marsha Folson's campaign in the AL 4th CD. Assistant director of the New Politics Program at the National Civic League. Democratic nominee for Colorado House District 10 in 1996; obtained 46% of the vote. President of the Colorado Young Democrats. He is a graduate of Colorado College, 1990.

CFO and Finance Director

Melissa Koenigsberg

(announced March 6, 2007 "implementing and managing a comprehensive fundraising plan to raise the $40 million in cash [and $15 million in in-kindnecessary to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.") Finance director for Martin O'Malley's successful 2006 gubernatorial race in Maryland. National finance director for Ken Salazar's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. Southeast regional finance director for Sen. John Edwards' 2004 presidential bid. State finance director for Max Cleland’s 2002 Senate re-election campaign in Georgia. Degree in international relations from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Chief of Staff

Selena Dunham

On leave from her own company, Classique, LLC., which is a private client service company that offers training and consulting for individuals, corporations, business ventures, fundraising, political consulting and the etiquette of entertaining clients at work or in your home.

Director of Development

Mollie Brundage

Deputy Finance Director

Rachel (Kleinman) Gordon

Gordon came to the host committee from Capitol Hill where she worked for Congresman Mike Ross (AR-04) for five years, most recently as his communications director. Degree in political science from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Finance Assistant: Manjiri Mannino

Event Director

Jenny Anderson

Project manager on loan from Além, brings 20 years of experience in sports and event marketing and management. Has held marketing and management positions for the U.S. Pro Ski Tour, the United States Tennis Association, World Cup Soccer and the PGA TOUR. Began her career with the Coors Classic Bicycle Race, an international bicycle race held at venues throughout the U.S.. Native of Golden, CO.

Event Director of External Affairs

Janet H. Schoniger

Executive on loan from CoBank.

Volunteer Coordinator

Sondra Williams

(resigned June 7, 2008) On loan from the National Education Association.

Deputy Volunteer Coordinator

Christine Berg

Communications Director

Chris Lopez

(announced Oct. 29, 2007) Lopez has worked in California for the past 7 1/2 years, most recently as a managing editor and general manager for The Desert Sun, a Gannett Company newspaper in Palm Springs, and previously as the managing editor and executive editor of the Contra Costa Times newspaper in Walnut Creek. Prior to moving to California he spent nine years at The Pueblo Chieftain newspaper and seven years at The Denver Post. Graduate of Adams State College in Alamosa. Native of Alamosa, CO.
Communications Assistant: Trini Dominguez

Director of Operations

Edward Espinoza

Experience includes management, field, press and finance. Entered in the political arena in 1996 as a field staffer on the Clinton-Gore campaign and has worked on the re-election campaigns of Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, the election of members of Congress from California, and provided strategic counsel for issue and independent expenditure campaigns in Florida, Oregon and South Dakota. Elected as a Member of the Democratic National Committee from California in 2004.

Deputy Director of Operations

Tyler Mounsey

Disability Rights Coordinator

David Kennedy

Kennedy has over 20 years of experience in project management, ADA Compliance, architectural features, retail spaces, building design projects, exhibitions, trade shows, and events. He served as manager of special projects for the architectural renovation of the Hamilton building and wasdirectly involved with the implementation of ADA compliance internally and externally for the new extension of The Denver Art Museum.

Director of Greening

Parry Burnap

(announced Aug. 15, 2007 "to facilitate coordination with and benefits for the Greenprint Denver Program;" position physically located in the Denver Mayor’s Office and entirely supported by private contributions exclusive of the City and Host Committee) Most recently Burnap worked for Terrachord, a small business she co-founded in 2002 to promote information technology-driven environmental solutions for industry, government and the general public. She previously spent nine years as the pollution prevention program manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and also served as the project director for Colorado’s first watershed program, the Clear Creek Watershed Forum. For five years Burnap served as director of special projects and communications for the Center for Resource Management, a nonprofit founded by Robert Redford. Burnap also held the position of director of governmental affairs at Colorado Ski Country USA and was a special assistant to former Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm. Bachelor’s degree in human biology with an emphasis on environmental policy from Stanford University and a master’s degree in community development with an emphasis in public administration from the University of Kentucky.

reprinted from host committee website Jan. 13, 2007
Officers
President: Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth

Co-Chairs: Steve Farber, Chris Gates, Juanita Chacon

Vice Chairs: Dan Slater

Secretary: Hon. Rosemary Rodriguez

Treasurer: Ron Montoya

Finance Chair: Willie Shepherd

Honorary Co-Chairs (as of March 15, 2007)
Hon. Gary Hart, Hon. Ed Perlmutter, Hon. John Salazar, Hon. Mark Udall, Hon. Timothy Wirth, Hon. Wren Wirth, Hon. Cary Kennedy, Hon. Joan Fitzgerald, Hon. Dick and Dottie Lamm, Hon. Andrew Romanoff, Hon. Roy Romer, Hon. Gail Schoettler, Hon. Carol Boigon, Hon. Charlie Brown, Hon. Dennis Gallagher, Hon. Rick Garcia, Hon. Michael Hancock, Hon. Marcia Johnson, Hon. Peggy Lehman, Hon. Doug Linkhart, Hon. Kathleen MacKenzie, Hon. Judy Montero, Hon. Federico Pena, Hon. Jeanne Robb, Hon. Rosemary Rodriguez, Hon. Wellington E. and Wilma J. Webb.

On March 15, 2007 the host committee announced 17 subcommittees:
Budget Subcommittee
Business Community Outreach Subcommittee
City Events and Community Outreach Subcommittee
Committee Coordinating Council
Community Planning Subcommittee
Delegate Services Subcommittee
Denver International Airport Subcommittee
Fundraising Subcommittee
Greenprint Subcommittee
Host Technology Infrastructure Subcommittee
Hotels Subcommittee
Labor Relations Subcommittee
Organizational Outreach Subcommittee
Safety and Security Subcommittee
Statewide and Regional Marketing and Public Relations Subcommittee
Transportation Subcommittee
Volunteers Subcommittee

Host Committee Members

Hon. Gail Schoettler
Tim Gill
Howard Boigon
Sharron Klein
Mike Dino
Swanee Hunt
Jay Kamlet
Cheri Kirschbaum
Steve Adams
Hon. Carol Boigon
Joe Blake
Hon. Marcia Johnson
Craig Umbaugh
Rick Reiter
Tami Door
Sherry Jackson
Hon. Dennis Gallagher
Hon. Paul Sandoval
Lola Salazar
Marjorie Seawell
Awilda Marquez
Deana Perlmutter
Jeff Campos
Hon. Chris Romer
Manuel Martinez
Pat Cortez
Hon. Odell Barry
Dr. Larry Chan
Steve Naples Al Yates
Richard Scharf
Tom Williams
Joel Rosenstein
Merle Chambers
Mark Smith
Brad Buchanan
David Kenney
Hon. Michael Hancock
Lynne Mason
Hon. Peggy Lehmann
Hon. Kathleen MacKenzie
Hon. Doug Linkhart
Charlie Knight
Walter Isenberg
Selena Dunham
Jared Polis
Ted Trimpa
Bill Mitchell
Jim Merlino
Eddie Robinson
Pastor Paul Burleson
Don Eberle
Lori Fox
Ilene Kamsler
Tom Clarke
Hon. Landri Taylor
Kathryn Works
Heidi Naples Judy Wagner
Kathryn Archuleta
Rollie & Josie Heath
Chuck Morris
Mike Stratton
Daniel Yohannes
Rutt Bridges
Hon. Rick Garcia
Sue Casey
Hon. Jeanne Robb
Rita Bass Coors
Hon. Judy Montero
Rick Ridder
Barbara Kelly
Jim Polsfut
Hon. Penfield Tate
Tom Strickland
Paula Hertzmark
John Huggins
Mark Messenbaugh
Amanda Belles
Hon. Mitch Morrisey
Ron Berstein
Andrew Hudson
Pete Meersman
James C. Pribyl
Hon. Edna Moseley
Steve Feld

www.denverconvention2008.com
Jan. 13, 2007 grab

Logo evolution

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Important note: Debbie Willhite was instrumental in Denver's successful bid:

Executive Director Debbie Willhite

(started late July 2006) Partner at FieldWorks, a grass-roots strategies consulting firm; joined the firm in May 2003. Senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the U.S. Postal Service. Director of the Denver Summit of the Eight, 1997. Co-Director of the 1997 Presidential Inaugural Committee. Oversaw the 1996 Democratic Coordinated Campaign. Lobbyist at Black, Manafort, Stone & Kelly Public Affairs Co. Events director for the 1993 Inaugural; general election director for the DNC; deputy manager and operations director for the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York; worked on Clinton's 1992 primary campaign including in CT, MI and PA. Dukakis presidential campaign, Policy director for the Connecticut House speaker, 1986-92. Mondale presidential campaign. Political director for the National Organization for Women, 1982-85. Arkansas Democratic Party consultant, 1982. Colorado Democratic Party, 1981. Carter-Mondale re-election campaign. Joined the DNC in 1978 as deputy regional director (South). Some work toward a master's degree from the University of Central Florida. U.S. Navy Reserve; graduate of Arkansas (Lyon) College with a bachelor's in political science, 1974. Grew up in Berryville, Arkansas (Carroll County); born in Memphis.

Old Information

listing as of April 28, 2006 (members are from Denver unless otherwise indicated, titles for identification)
Host Committee Co-Chairs
Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth +
Chris Gates (President, National Civic League) +
Steve Farber (Englewood; Founding Partner, Brownstein Hyatt & Farber) +
Hon. Juanita Chacon (Broker/Associate for Remax Alliance Central) +

Vice-Chair
Dan Slater (Canon City; Attorney, Vice Chair for the Colorado Democratic Party) +,+

Secretary
Council President Rosemary Rodriguez +

Treasurer
Ron Montoya (Plasticomm Industries) +

Finance Chair
Willie Shepherd (Co-founder and Chairman of Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert) +

Honorary Chairs
US Senator Ken Salazar
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Congressman Mark Udall (Westminster)
Congressman John Salazar (Pueblo)
Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Tim Wirth
Mayor Federico Pena
Hon. Andrew Romanoff, Speaker of the House
Hon. Joan Fitzgerald, President of the State Senate
Mayor Wellington E. Webb
First Lady Wilma J. Webb
Sherry Jackson, Colorado Democratic Party
Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party
City Auditor Dennis Gallagher
Hon. Rick Garcia
Hon. Kathleen MacKenzie
Hon. Peggy Lehmann
Hon. Judy Montero
Hon. Marcia Johnson
Hon. Jeanne Robb
Hon. Michael Hancock
Hon. Doug Linkhart
Hon. Carol and Howard Boigon
Rick Garcia
Debbie Marquez (Edwards)
Hon. Ramona Martinez (Lakewood)
Mannie Rodriguez
JW Postal
Maria Handley (Lafayette)
Melissa Kolwaite
Mollie Brundage