Gov. Bill Ritter named veteran business executive Donald Elliman Jr. director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade on Monday.
Elliman is expected to replace interim director Stewart Bliss next month in directing the state’s economic development, tourism and international trade strategy.
“If you aren’t succeeding with the economy, there isn’t a whole lot else you can do,” Elliman said. “A robust and growing economy is what allows you to invest in the future.”
Elliman, 62, oversaw operations at the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets and the Pepsi Center while chief executive and president of Ascent Sports, later renamed Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. He left Kroenke Sports in 2004.
Before that, Elliman was publisher of People magazine and Sports Illustrated during a 32-year career at Time Inc.
Elliman is currently co-chairman of the fundraising campaign to construct the new Children’s Hospital in Denver.
“Don is a nationally recognized businessman, and he can do a tremendous amount for the state,” said Blair Richardson, a Denver Republican and managing partner of Bow River Capital Partners.
Richardson, who advised Ritter on filling the post, said he hopes Elliman will use his industry connections to aggressively pursue relocation deals before other states can even bid.
Elliman “can cut the deal, and the governor can close it,” Richardson said.
Colorado has limited resources to offer in economic-development incentives, but Elliman is the type of leader who can help the state get the best results possible, said Tom Clark, executive vice president with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.
“It is a very complex and demanding job,” Clark said. “Don is a seasoned person who has played in all spheres.”
The director’s job pays $140,000 a year and is the last top-level post the governor needed to fill.
One of Elliman’s early tasks will likely be smoothing over frayed ties between the Ritter administration and the business community.
The governor is expected to approve a change in union-election laws passed by the General Assembly that the business community has strongly opposed.
Elliman declined to comment on the union-election bill, saying the governor hasn’t acted on it yet. But he counted outreach to the business community as among his assignments.
“I do see that as part of my job,” he said.
Ritter had initially discussed the idea of overhauling the office to create the position of an economic-development “czar” – but after closer study opted not to pursue that course.
“The governor is comfortable with the way the office is structured now,” said Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer.
Staff writer Will Shanley contributed to this report.
Staff writer Aldo Svaldi can be reached at 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com.
