Jeff Fryer, organizer of the failed 1993 Denver International Marathon, slipped out of town leaving behind more than $100,000 in unpaid bills associated with the race.
He slipped back into town two years ago and took a job as a financial adviser and CPA with Bernstein Global Wealth Management, unbeknownst to several people he had allegedly stiffed.
“Oh, my God!” gasped Lesley Fuller and Creigh Kelley — who worked on the marathon that left a sea of unpaid vendors, athletes, race staff, consultants and off-duty police officers — when I told them Fryer had resurfaced in Denver.
The police officers, who were left holding a $47,000 unpaid bill, were subsequently paid by an anonymous donor, who many suspect was philanthropist Barry Hirschfeld, one of Fryer’s partners in Denver International Marathon Inc., the company that signed a five- year contract with the city of Denver to hold an annual marathon.
Hirschfeld declined to take credit for paying the police wages but said he was aware Fryer was back on the scene. “I wish him well and hope he has great success,” Hirschfeld said.
His sentiments weren’t shared by Kelley, Fuller or Jim Martinez, who was then-Mayor Wellington Webb’s point person for the marathon.
“Mr. Fryer took off with everything,” Martinez said. “He owes a lot of people a lot of money. To come back is a blatant slap in the face to the city and county of Denver.”
Kelley, who runs BKB Limited, a bike-racing event company, said: “Several of us got burned back in the day.” What would Kelley say if he ran into Fryer now? “I would say, ‘Write me a check.’ We did not get paid for one event of the events we did for him.”
When I reached Fryer on Friday, he seemed a bit befuddled over all the fuss about his return to town.
“It wasn’t my choice to leave, but we didn’t get the support from the sponsors and from the community for the event. It was a very dark period of my life. I spent virtually every penny I had on the (marathon).”
New burger boss.
Greenwood Village-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. has hired Stephen Carley as chief executive, effective Sept. 13.
Carley, who will succeed Dennis Mullen, the CEO ousted under pressure from company investors Clinton Group Inc. and Spotlight Advisors LLC, comes armed with restaurant and management experience at Taco Bell Corp., Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park, General Mills, Pillsbury Co. and PepsiCo, as well as his most recent position as CEO and president of El Pollo Loco.
The announcement of Mullen’s replacement was released Thursday, the same day the burger-restaurant chain posted second-quarter earnings that fell below expectations.
Net income for the fiscal second quarter of 2010 that ended July 11 fell to $4.3 million, or 28 cents a share, from $6.4 million, or 41 cents a share, a year earlier, according to company reports. Analysts had predicted earnings of 36 cents a share.
Freebie.
Lakewood-based Office Liquidators is giving away more than $25,000 worth of used and refurbished office furniture to Colorado nonprofit organizations beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 25, in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary.
Shoppers will be asked to show proof of nonprofit status and will get to pick out $1,000 worth of furniture per charitable organization.
Eavesdropping
on a man and a woman in the VIP area before a Denver Botanic Gardens concert:
“I love that there is free beer.”
“We’re on the wagon. We’re going to the herb garden.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the “Caplis & Silverman” radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
