ECC members gathered for an informal fireside chat with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. The Mayor discussed his vision, strategy and plan for the City and County of Denver and answered questions on a myriad of topics including his homelessness initiative, the economy and jobs. ECC members enjoyed the intimate environment and discussion. Members also had time to engage with each other and enjoy a beautiful Colorado sunset from the McGregor square penthouse.

Members heard from experts in housing in Colorado over a luncheon. The panelists included Chris Frampton, CEO of East West Partners, Mike Zoellner, CEO of ZF Capital, Patrick Hammil, Chairman and CEO of Oakwood Homes and Scott Rathbun, President of Apartment Appraisers and Consultants.

Members met with the CEO of Honey Smoked Fish Company, Ryan Nicks, who shared how the company started, how it has grow and what the future of the company holds. We went “backstage” and toured the facility an saw how the product is trimmed, seasoned, smoked, packaged and shipped.

Signature Event: ECC Holiday Party 12 04 23. Cherry Hill Country Club

ECC members and guests ushered in the holidays together and enjoyed a festive atmosphere, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Cherry Hills Country Club.

The geopolitical expert joined ECC to share more about how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments. The evening was captivating and electric.

This panel explored the question of what needs to be done to revitalize downtown Denver and attract businesses. The panel brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local government officials, business leaders, community organizers and housing experts. Panelists included:

Mike Zoellner- moderator, ECC Member, founder of ZF Capital and former Chair of the Downtown Denver Partnership

Kourtney Garrett- panelist and CEO of Downtown Denver Partnership

Amy Cara- panelist, chair of New Development Council and Managing Partner at East West Partners

Ed Blair- panelist and General Manager of Sage Hospitality Group

Richard Scharf- panelist and CEO and President of Visit Denver

David Howard- panelist and Founder of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver

Members took a tour of YG Acoustics, one of the leading manufacturers in the high-end audio industry. Members said the tour of the facility was fascinating and enjoyed the social hour and audio experience in YG’s listening room after the tour.

Members mingled on the rooftop of McGregor Square residences while enjoying fabulous views of the Denver skyline and mountains while meeting the current ECC Board of Directors.

ECC members were joined by Matt Kuta, the president and COO of Voyager Space, to learn more about the space industry in Colorado and about the projects Voyager Space is working on to better our future in space and on earth.

University of Colorado’s senior economist, Rich Wobbekind, provided an update on the Colorado economy as well as what emerging trends and changes he anticipated we will see in Colorado in the coming year.

Beth Ann Bovino is the U.S. Chief Economist at S&P Global Ratings Services. In this position, she develops S&P's U.S. and Canada economic forecasts. Ms. Bovino is quoted regularly in the press and has appeared on many major television shows. Ms. Bovino provided a recap of first quarter 2023 and forecast the economic outlook for the remainder of the year.

Please join us for a panel discussion on what's happening in the capital markets. Panelists will include various experts in the following fields: banking, ABL lender, mezzanine financing lender and private equity/family office and the discussion will be moderated by ECC's own Jon Wiley and David Walters. Panelists will include:

Mark White, President, Colorado, Independent Financial, Senior Lender Panelist with focus on Lower Middle Market and CRE

Greg L'Herault, SVP of Business Development, Intermountain Region for Alterna Capital, Panelist focus on Private/ABL/Alternative lending

Bo Sutton, Co-Founder and Partner of Liftout Capital, Panelist with focus on Private Equity and M&A

Andy Aye, Colorado/New Mexico Market Leader at U.S. Bank, Senior Lender Panelist with focus on Upper Middle Market/Corporate and ABL

Alisa Frederick, Managing Director at Caltius Structured Capital, Panelist with focus on Mezzanine Lending and M&A

Members heard from one of the co-founders, of Dazbog coffee, Leo Yuffa, while enjoying coffee and breakfast and toured the coffee company’s facility to see how the coffee is roasted.

ECC members enjoyed our annual luncheon with the Governor. Governor Polis had an interactive conversation with members about what challenges Colorado faces as well as possible solutions.

Heather Potters, co-founder of PharmaJet, joined ECC to discuss PharmaJet's mission to change the paradigm of global immunization, challenges they have faced and how the company is overcoming those challenges. Heather also discussed related topics such as the global vaccine status and market and how has covid impacted it.

Unite America's Executive Director, Nick Troiano, presented on root causes of political division & dysfunction, nonpartisan solutions to improve our electoral system, and how the business community can play an integral role in defending and improving our democracy.

Members had the opportunity to reconnect at our annual Summer Social while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres outside.

ECC members enjoyed a Rockies game in a suite and were joined by Dick Monfort, owner of the Colorado Rockies and Greg Feasel, the Rockies COO. Mr. Monfort and Mr. Feasal spoke to us about the organization and its impact on Denver's economy.

Craig Jones, the founder of Carboy, gave ECC members and prospective members a backstage look at Carboy and the winemaking business in Colorado. There was also a brief information session on ECC with Q&A from a panel of current members.

Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, spoke to ECC in this joint event with Denver Petroleum Club. Mr. Sommers spoke about how API and the broader U.S. natural gas and oil industry can work with the administration and Congress to reorient policies toward U.S. energy leadership to advance national security, climate action and economic strength. ECC members enjoyed the talk as well as connecting with leaders in the local energy sector.

We had so much fun getting to know ECC member Paul Schreder. Get to know your fellow ECC members by watching these member profiles.

Richard Wobbekind, The University of Colorado’s senior economist discussed trends he sees emerging and what Coloradans should expect in the economy over the next year or two.

Chris Riopelle, Co-Founder and CEO of Strive Health shared the founding story and vision for Strive, why the kidney care industry is so ripe for change, and how they ultimately decided on Colorado as the headquarters for this growing company of over 350 “Strivers.”

Get to know long time member and board member, Marc Musyl.

Jillian Michaels has dominated the health and wellness space globally in every realm of media – apps, podcasting, streaming, television, print, publishing, and social media with a collective community of over 100 million strong. Jillian joined ECC to share her story of entrepreneurship and success as well as insights into branding and marketing.

ECC Members rang in the holidays while enjoyed the exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Join us as we get to know Brian Schilb, ECC member and KPMG partner. These interviews via zoom began as a response to the pandemic and as a way to keep us connected. The interviews have been such a success, that we are continuing them and hope to build an online library which includes an interview with every member.

Members mingled while checking out one of Denver’s hottest restaurants. We revealed ECC's new website and logo and hear from entrepreneur’s Jean-Phillippe Failyau and Peter Newlin. Failyau and Newlin together make up Gastamo Group which includes other Denver restaurants you probably know: Birdcall, Homegrown Tap & Dough, Park & Co., Park Burger and Lady Perdida. Don’t miss this fun evening! There will be limited space at this event.

Member Spo

Tim has been a member of Economic Club for longer than he can remember, and we are so lucky to have him among us. I first met Tim at a Signature Luncheon (must have been 2013). We became friends over our conversation of how the new Tesla Model S, and electric vehicles, would impact the grid. He would know as Xcel Energy, one of the largest public utilities, and headquartered in Minneapolis, serving 3.3 million people across 8 states, operates the electrical grid systems of Minnesota and Texas.

Outside of his day job, Tim is an avid individual kayaker who has cherished Colorado’s great rivers since his youth. He traces his family lineage in Colorado to the Territorial days. He cares about K-12 Education, Economic Literacy and Workforce Development in the Age of Automation — He cares about people and human capital development.

Member Spotlig