DIA Partnership vice president Susan Stanton will leave the group this month to become Brighton’s director of economic development.
Stanton’s departure comes just a few months after president Julie Bender announced that she will leave at the end of the year. Stanton was considered by many a likely successor to Bender.
“It certainly is a time of transition, but we see a lot of opportunity in that transition,” said Jeff Willis, chairman of the Partnership’s 2006 executive committee. “We’d certainly rather not see her (Stanton) go, but at the same time, it gives the new leader an opportunity to craft the leadership of the Partnership.”
Stanton’s position will remain unfilled until Bender’s replacement is announced so the new president can have input into the hiring decision, Willis said.
The 10-member committee searching for Bender’s replacement has advertised the position nationally, requesting that interested people submit their applications by the end of the week. It expects to conduct interviews over the next several weeks.
Stanton will start her Brighton position Aug. 21. The job places her in charge of the Brighton Economic Development Corp. Her responsibilities will include attracting primary jobs, increasing the group’s membership and raising awareness of the city’s Small Business Resource Center.
“It was something I couldn’t pass up,” Stanton said Tuesday. “This is a chance to shine a light on one of the metro area’s best-kept secrets.”
The once-sleepy northeast-metro town has recently attracted retail, residential and commercial development. Town leaders have said they want to capitalize on its proximity to Denver International Airport to help fuel its growth.
The town of 30,000 has grown 50 percent since 2000 and has attracted $100 million in new commercial and industrial investment over the past eight years.
Brighton Mayor Jan Pawlowski, an at- large member of the DIA Partnership board, said the city is thrilled to have attracted Stanton, but she acknowledged the Partnership’s loss.
“I’m sure we’ll all take a collective big gulp of air and decide where to go next,” Pawlow ski said. “She was so instrumental in the growth in the region, but I see (the Partnership) moving forward with not too many skipped beats.”
Stanton said she has high hopes for the Partnership’s future. She has worked for the group for 10 years.
“It has wonderful leadership and continuity with the staff that is here,” Stanton said. “I will remain an advocate for it.”
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
