Erik Abrahamson

Senior vice president

CBRE

Erik Abrahamson is a senior vice president with CBRE and has been involved in nearly $1 billion of transactions since joining the firm. Abrahamson was instrumental in CBRE’s expansion into Boulder. He brings a technical background in engineering, commercial property development, acquisition and dispositions to his agency brokerage role. Abrahamson is recognized as an expert in life science and office/flex real estate within the Boulder/Northwest Denver commercial real estate community. He has been involved in some of the region’s largest life-science transactions, and his client list includes Beacon Capital Partners, Clarion Partners, TriTower Financial Group, Steelwave, Graham Street and other institutional level owners in the greater Boulder/Denver region. Significant transactions that He has worked on include Agilent Technologies Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics land purchase and plant development in Frederick, a $185 million plant covering more than 135,000 square feet and Agilent Technologies’ purchase of 5555 Airport Blvd in Boulder.  Abrahamson advises institutional clients in one of the nation’s most dynamic and accelerating markets, Boulder. His knowledge and understanding of what drives the Boulder economy and what attracts tenants to Boulder makes Erik instrumental in his commercial real estate advising. Collectively, this expertise empowers his clients to effectively mitigate risk while leveraging all real estate opportunities in this evolving market.

Karla Brown

Senior broker/principal

The Colorado Group Inc.

Karla Brown is a commercial real estate broker and principal with The Colorado Group, Inc. in Boulder.  She specializes in sales and leasing throughout northern Colorado, and is involved in all aspects of commercial real estate with a priority on listening, communication, and creative problem-solving. She is an experienced entrepreneur, starting her own construction company, as well as founding a statewide non-profit. Karla also has an extensive background in water rights and management, previously editing the Citizen’s Guide to Colorado Water Law, among other publications. Since joining The Colorado Group, Inc. in 2018, she has been involved in more than $88 million in successful sales and leasing transactions. Karla has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Cornell University and a Masters of Science from Colorado State University.  Karla enjoys being involved in the business and non-profit communities, building quality relationships, and in particular working with other female entrepreneurs to meet their real estate needs. 

Jennifer Chavez

Director of leasing, Boulder

BioMed Realty LLC

Jennifer Chavez is director of leasing in Boulder for BioMed Realty, a leading provider of real estate solutions to the life-science and technology industries. In her role, Jennifer provides comprehensive transaction expertise and specialized business-management services. She spearheads the company’s leasing activity for existing assets and new developments in Boulder, and establishes key relationships with stakeholders across the commercial real estate industry. With 20 years in the commercial real estate space, Chavez has an extensive background in commercial real estate leasing across multiple specialties, including providing successful leasing transaction and operation and marketing oversight for a variety of clients including Fortune 500 companies, institutional REITs, and local real estate investors and tenants. Prior to BioMed Realty, Chavez was director, global corporate services, at Newmark, where she specialized in multi-market corporate real estate as well as office leasing for landmark projects in the Denver area, including Village Center Station, The Diary Block, The Current River North and North Wynkoop. In addition, Chavez had a variety of tenant-representation clients, including Danone North America, Liberty Global, Intrepid Potash, WSP and Moye White.

Michael Conway

Colorado Insurance Commissioner

State of Colorado

Michael Conway was appointed as Colorado Insurance Commissioner by Gov. Jared Polis on Dec. 21, 2018, and was confirmed to this position by the Colorado State Senate on Jan. 22, 2019. Prior to this, Conway served as interim Commissioner, a position he was appointed to by Gov. Hickenlooper in January 2018. As Commissioner, Conway serves as the chief executive of the Division of Insurance and oversees the regulation of the insurance industry in Colorado. His role brings together consumers, the insurance industry and other stakeholders to create an inclusive, firm and fair regulatory approach to all lines of insurance such as auto, health, homeowner, life, property and casualty, title and workers’ compensation.

Duane Duggan

Realtor

RE/MAX of Boulder

Duane Duggan has enjoyed a successful real estate career for more than 40 years, after having graduated from the University of Colorado Business School with a major in real estate. Duggan and his team, The Boulder Property Network at RE/MAX of Boulder, have been consistent top producers in Boulder County residential and investment real estate sales since 1978. He has facilitated thousands of transactions over his career. He is an active supporter of local non-profits and his profession, including involvement with the local and state Boards of Realtors and through his mentoring of his team members and other Realtors. Duane is the author of Realtor for Life, which was written to help Realtors become trusted advisers “for life” to their clients on all matters of real estate. He has received multiple industry awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Realtor of the Year award from the Boulder Area Realtor Association in 2016.

David Ensign

Retired

David Ensign grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and master’s degree from New York University. He a member of the board of Better Boulder where he advocates for excellence in public policy and land-use as chair of the Housing and Zoning Subcommittee.

He retired more than 10 years ago from a telecommunication engineering and program management career and has been enjoying volunteer work since that transition. David has twenty years of non-profit experience in various board roles at Rocky Mountain Equality, Boulder County AIDS Project, Motus Theater, and Community Foundation of Boulder County. He served a five-year term on the City of Boulder Planning Board and continues to do volunteer work in the community. David has a passion for working toward social justice, and his leisure time pursuits include traveling and cross-country ski racing.

Mitch Friedman

Branch manager

CMG Home Loans

Mitch Friedman is a seasoned mortgage professional affiliated with CMG Home Loans, known for his commitment to client satisfaction and extensive industry knowledge. With a background in finance and years of experience in the mortgage lending landscape, Mitch specializes in providing tailored loan solutions to meet the unique needs of his clients. His approach focuses on building lasting relationships and guiding borrowers through the financing process with transparency and integrity. As part of the CMG Home Loans team, he leverages cutting-edge technology and a wide range of loan products to help clients achieve their homeownership dreams. Outside of work, Mitch enjoys spending time with family, tennis, pickleball, running, skiing, and engaging in community activities.

Brent Friesth

Owner & founder

Bolder Insurance

Brent Friesth moved to Colorado in 1985 to pursue a career in long-distance running. Brent trained with Olympic coach, Joe Vigil, in Alamosa for three years and qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon in 1988.  Brent moved to Boulder to continue his training and opened an American Family Insurance agency in 1989.  He again qualified for the Olympic trials in 1992.  After a successful career with American Family, he opened an independent insurance agency, Bolder Insurance, 14 years ago. Recently, Bolder Insurance joined Foundation Risk Partners, a national insurance brokerage firm comprised of over 175 highly respected insurance agencies.  Bolder Insurance continues to be a trusted resource for business and personal insurance. His agency is located in downtown Louisville.

Beau Gamble

President

Dean Callan & Co.

Beau Gamble joined Dean Callan & Co. as a broker associate in 2014, proudly stepping into the family legacy established by his grandfather and carried forward by his mother. Deeply rooted in the company’s values and driven by a passion for excellence, Beau quickly distinguished himself not only as a top-producing broker but also as a trusted leader within the firm. His tireless dedication, natural ability to connect with people, and commitment to delivering results were recognized in 2023 when he was named President of the company—a role that reflects both his contributions and his vision for the future. A lifelong Boulderite, Beau’s deep connections and local market expertise have been instrumental in his success as a broker. He takes pride in fostering relationships that go beyond transactions, earning the trust and respect of clients, colleagues, and the community. A graduate of the University of Colorado, where he played basketball for Coach Tad Boyle, Beau has brought the same discipline and teamwork to his professional life. He currently serves on the board of the Buffs4Life Foundation and is an active member of the Commercial Brokers of Boulder. In 2022, Beau was honored as one of Boulder Valley’s rising stars by BizWest’s Forty Under 40, a reflection of his commitment to his profession and community.

Becky Gamble

CEO

Dean Callan & Co.

A former All-American Collegiate tennis player and touring professional, Becky Callan Gamble redirected her competitive nature into her father’s commercial real estate company in 1992. Using the same basic fundamentals that Dean Callan portrayed for forty years – integrity, honesty, creativity, and hard work — Becky has established herself as one of the top performers in Boulder’s commercial real estate market. As a lifelong resident of Boulder, she is able to leverage her local market knowledge to establish long-term relationships with owners and users of commercial space. To that end, she has built up a clientele list that includes international and domestic pension funds, national tenants, and local individual companies requiring commercial representation.

Cameron Grant

Shareholder

Lyons Gaddis

Cameron Grant leads the Lyons Gaddis’ real estate team and is one of the most talented and creative attorneys in real estate and business. Cameron is a powerhouse in land use and real estate transactions requiring complicated structuring, playing to his strength as an innovator and his knowledge of the region. He previously served as the firm’s managing shareholder and now focuses his energy on client representation, team supervision and community involvement.

Cameron’s client work includes representing homebuilders, real estate developers, investors, contractors and owners in connection with the acquisition, development and management of real estate projects, including residential subdivisions, condominiums, master-planned communities, industrial and office buildings. Cameron’s business work involves transactions of all sizes, including joint ventures, business structure and strategy, and general corporate counseling.

Jack Hill

Economic Development Manager

Town of Erie

Jack Hill is the Business Development Specialist for the Town of Erie, Colorado, where he leads efforts to accelerate and diversify the town’s economic growth through business recruitment. Since joining Erie in August 2023, Jack has worked closely with businesses, developers, and community stakeholders to foster a vibrant and resilient local economy. Prior to his role in Erie, Jack spent four years with the City of Loveland, managing its Business Retention and Expansion program and supporting key industries through strategic partnerships. Before moving to Colorado, Jack played a key role in driving business attraction efforts for the Charlotte Regional Partnership, a multi-county EDO serving one of the most rapidly expanding metro areas in the U.S. Jack moved to Colorado in 2018, drawn by the Rocky Mountains and a desire for new challenges. He brings a collaborative mindset, a deep understanding of regional development, and a passion for helping communities thrive.

Jay Kalinski

Owner

RE/MAX of Boulder and RE/MAX Elevate

Jay Kalinski is the owner and managing broker of Re/Max of Boulder and owner of Re/Max Elevate. He is an experienced lawyer, Realtor, and veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Kalinski grew up in and around Boulder, obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley Law School, and  his MBA from the University of Colorado.  He also leads the Kalinski Team, which has more than a decade of experience helping people buy and sell real estate along the Front Range.

Geoffrey Keys

Managing broker

Keys Commercial Real Estate

Geoffrey Keys is a Boulder native with more than 45 years of commercial real estate experience who has helped shape the landscape of Colorado’s Front Range. After earning his BA in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado, Geoffrey returned home to Boulder and founded Keys Commercial Real Estate in 1984. The firm grew to become one of the top commercial brokerages in the Boulder and US 36 Corridor marketplace, consistently ranking among the Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brokerages in Colorado. Throughout his career, Geoffrey has been instrumental in the development and construction of numerous significant Boulder commercial projects. He has represented countless buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants across five decades of distinguished service. In 2021, Geoffrey sold the property management division of Keys Commercial but recently repurchased the brokerage arm, which continues to provide acquisition, disposition, leasing services, and expert witness testimony throughout the Northern Colorado market from their downtown Boulder offices. Beyond his professional achievements, Geoffrey is deeply committed to his community.

Ashley Legan

Director of marketing

Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP

With a dynamic career rooted in community connection, Ashley blends strategic marketing expertise with a deep commitment to civic and organizational leadership. As Director of Marketing at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, she drives integrated campaigns, thought-leadership initiatives, and partnerships that elevate the firm’s visibility and impact across Colorado and beyond. Her collaborative approach extends into the community, where she contributes to shaping policy and engagement through the Downtown Boulder Partnership’s Public Policy Committee and the Boulder Chamber’s Community Affairs Council. A former Planning and Community Development Commissioner for the Town of Lyons and board chair for the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund, Ashley is passionate about connecting business strategy, community development, and authentic storytelling to foster meaningful growth and connection.

Gina Lesch

Realtor

RE/MAX of Boulder

Gina Lesch began her career in real estate in 1996 after relocating to Boulder in 1995. Her family has roots in the area going back to the 1880s. Real estate is a passion, providing clients with epic service, helping them achieve their real estate goals with the least stress possible is her ultimate objective. Gina’s experience covers first-time home buyers, families relocating to the area, kiddie condos to selling multimillion dollar luxury estate homes. She is a CLHM Guild member, luxury home marketing specialist, as well as a Certified Negotiating Expert.

Laura Moody

Redevelopment and Revitalization Director

City of Longmont

Laura Moody is the redevelopment revitalization manager with the City of Longmont and the Longmont Urban Renewal Authority. Moody has spent over 9 years in economic development and urban renewal and loves making an impact in her community every day. Prior to coming to Longmont, also worked with Commerce City, the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority.

Brad Mueller

Director of planning & development services

City of Boulder

Brad Mueller joined the city of Boulder in June 2022 as director of Planning & Development Services. He joined the city after serving as the community development director for the city of Greeley. Prior to joining the city of Greeley — first as planning manager —  he served in planning capacities for Douglas County and Weld counties. Brad is skilled in policy and executive leadership, strategic development and project management, both in local government and hospitality/entertainment. A Licensed Certified Land Use Planner, Brad enjoys opportunities to use his skills within local governments and private companies (particularly in the arts), and in people management, project management or as a consultant. He is an experienced professional working with people and organizations from a broad range of backgrounds to achieve organizational goals in creative and challenging settings.

Isabella Nunez

Senior project manager for economic development

City of Lafayette

Isabella is the Senior Project Manager for Economic Development for the City of Lafayette, where she leads initiatives to support small business growth and attraction, and collaborates with partner organizations to advance strategic priorities. Previously she managed business retention and attraction efforts in Lakewood. Isabella’s original passion for Economic Development started in Florida with the cities of Orlando, and Largo where she led annexations and negotiated incentive agreements, resulting in more than $30M of new taxable value (pre-development). She holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and is a Certified Economic Developer. In her free time, you can find Isabella exploring all Colorado has to offer.

Marc Painter

Partner

Holland & Hart

Marc Painter’s real estate practice focuses on complex real estate transactions, finance and development, as well as banking and related business counseling. For over 30 years, Marc’s regional and national development and lending clients have sought his creative counsel in navigating difficult transactions to profitable completion. Strong Cost-Benefit Approach: Marc’s past experience as an economist and banker brings a unique and valuable cost-benefit approach to transactions and disputes. That experience also gives him knowledge of the financial and business needs of other parties in a deal and an ability to effectively work through those issues early to reach a favorable agreement. Structuring Deals to Avoid Litigation: Marc’s prior experience as a commercial, banking and real estate litigator affords him a thorough understanding of the reasons for disputes and a unique sensitivity to the potential for, and the distractions of, litigation. Clients value his experience in helping them anticipate and then develop effective strategies to structure deals in ways that avoid disputes or in positioning their transactions properly if litigation is a necessity.

Dana Faulk Query

Co-owner

Big Red F Restaurant Group

Dana Faulk Query is co-owner and creative cat at Big Red F Restaurant Group where she leads marketing & creative and works in tandem with Dave Query, her husband and BRF founder, on all the rest. Founded in 1994, Big Red F is a fun & independent family of fourteen restaurants along Colorado’s Front Range:  Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Centro Mexican Kitchen, West End Tavern, Velvet Elk Lounge, and The Post Chicken & Beer.

Ellen Robertson

Economic development manager

Town of Superior

Ellen Robertson is a dynamic and talented program and project coordinator with expertise and interest in economic and community development, public policy, youth development, leadership, and research. Her background includes extensive economic research experience and work with a number of groups, including the American Peace Corps of Albania and the United States Trade Representatives (USTR), on creating tangible and feasible local development and economic policy changes. She is passionate about researching and analyzing complex issues to come to effective, logical answers.

Jeff Schreier

Business Development Manager

City and County of Broomfield

With more than a decade of public administration and economic development experience, Jeff Schreier leads initiatives that foster business growth and community engagement. Currently serving the City and County of Broomfield, he has created and restructured local incentive and assistance programs, enhanced business outreach, and developed strategic partnerships to drive economic vitality. His past roles include the town administrator for Eaton, where he managed community development, the local Housing Authority, and infrastructure planning. Jeff holds an M.A. in Political Science from CU Denver.

Jonathan Singer

Senior director of policy programs

Boulder Chamber

Jonathan’s experience includes  25 years of community work in the Boulder and Northern metropolitan region and has been a staunch advocate for business success and a vibrant economy throughout his years in public service, recognizing their underpinning to fully healthy communities.  As senior director of policy programs, Singer serves as the liaison to government bodies in addressing individual business needs and continues the Boulder Chamber’s tradition of connecting with policy leaders and educating them on the pivotal role that a strong economy has in advancing Boulder community’s other environmental stewardship, social equity, and quality of life goals.  After his time in the Colorado House of Representatives, Singer was interim executive director at LOGIC working with local communities on energy policies. He has previously worked with Denver’s Office of Economic Development to connect businesses with refugees and people experiencing financial hardship, helping impacted individuals to achieve their career goals while supporting businesses with workforce development solutions.

Bettina Swigger

CEO

Downtown Boulder Partnership
Bettina Swigger is a nonprofit leader, creative strategist and community advocate currently serving as CEO of the Downtown Boulder Partnership. Bettina is passionate about cultivating vibrant, inclusive places that honor culture, spark connection and support thriving local economies. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit, creative and business sectors, she specializes in place-based economic development; cultural and arts integration; collaborative community building; organizational strategy; and experience design. Previously, she led Downtown SLO in San Luis Obispo, California, where she championed small-business advocacy, cultural programming and public safety in one of California’s most charming downtowns. Prior to her work in urban place management, she worked as an arts administrator,  as executive director of Festival Mozaic, as executive director of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and as Summer Arts Festival Manager at Colorado College.

John Tayer

President & CEO

Boulder Chamber

As president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, Tayer leads the organization that serves as Boulder’s unified voice for business interests, advances the community’s economic vitality, and provides valuable business support services. Prior to joining the Boulder Chamber in 2012, Tayer was public affairs and communications director for the pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Roche Colorado Corp., and policy development director in the Boulder city manager’s office. Tayer also spent six years as the Boulder area’s elected representative to the Regional Transportation District. A native of Brookline, Massachusetts, Tayer earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, spent a couple of years working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and moved to Boulder 31 to earn a law degree from the University of Colorado. He now resides in south Boulder with his wife, Molly, and enjoys playing in the outdoors, accessing local cultural attractions and generally loves his community.

Stephen Tebo

Founder & owner

Tebo Properties

Stephen Tebo is founder and owner of Tebo Properties and owns more than 225 properties comprising more than 3,500,000 square feet and leasing to more than 600 commercial tenants. Tebo was born in 1944 in Hill City, Kansas, the son of Lorene and John Tebo. He began his career shining shoes at a nearby barber shop at just 8 years old. At age 11, he discovered his passion for collecting coins, which led to him to launch a coin-collecting business. That led to the founding of Tebo Coin and Tebo Store Fixtures, which sold display fixtures throughout Colorado. The enormous success and growth of both Tebo Coin and Tebo Store Fixtures forced Tebo to find more space for his businesses. Needing 4,000 square feet for his two businesses, Tebo began looking for available space in Boulder. He decided to build a 10,000-square-foot building, Tebo Square. Tebo leased the remaining 6,000 square feet to other tenants. That’s when Tebo realized that he enjoyed the idea of investing in commercial property. Tebo continues to pursue his passion for commercial real estate and establishing quality relationships with the local business community.

Lisa Wade

Realtor

RE/MAX of Boulder

High-energy, personal commitment and top-quality service with a smile make Lisa Wade one of Boulders’ Realtors of our time. Having lived in the area most of her life, she can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, and/or knows your neighborhood well. Averaging $9 million in sales each year with approx 25 sides, ½ listing and ½ buyers, Lisa maintains a busy Real Estate business. But never too busy to give personal attention to her clientele or their referrals. Serving areas from Boulder south to Thornton, north to Loveland, east to Erie and west to Estes Park.

Christopher Wood

Editor & Publisher

BizWest

Christopher Wood is editor and publisher of BizWest, a regional business journal covering Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld counties. Wood co-founded the Northern Colorado Business Report in 1995 and served as publisher of the Boulder County Business Report until the two publications were merged to form BizWest in 2014. From 1990 to 1995, Wood served as reporter and managing editor of the Denver Business Journal. He is a Marine Corps veteran and a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder. He has won numerous awards from the Colorado Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Alliance of Area Business Publishers.

Lawrence Yun

Chief Economist

National Association of Realtors

Lawrence Yun is chief economist and oversees the Research group at the National Association of Realtors. He supervises and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association, including NAR’s Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report. He regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for its 1.4 million Realtors. Yun creates NAR’s forecasts and participates in many economic forecasting panels, among them the Blue Chip Council and the Wall Street Journal Forecasting Survey. He also participates in the Industrial Economists Discussion Group at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. He appears regularly on financial news outlets, is a frequent speaker at real estate conferences throughout the United States, and has testified before Congress. Dr. Yun has also appeared as a guest on CSPAN’s Washington Journal. Yun received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Vanessa Zarate

Economic Vitality Manager

City of Louisville

Vanessa Zarate serves as economic-vitality manager for the City of Louisville. As an experienced economic developer, Zarate works  closely with private and public-sector partners to create strong, diverse and sustainable communities. She  has a bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Denver and is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council. She also has a real estate license. Zarate is skilled at analytical thinking, problem-solving, public speaking, and social networking. She uses those skills to identify and attract new businesses, facilitate site selection, development and redevelopment, provide incentives and assistance, and foster partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders. She has successfully recruited large employers to my communities as well as supported many local businesses throughout creation, growth and continued success. She works closely with utility operators, workforce development agencies and quality of life businesses to help ensure that people and businesses are not only welcome, but can thrive in my community. She is passionate about making a positive impact on the local economy and the quality of life of the residents.