Leadership changes are underway at two northern Colorado economic development agencies.
Larry Burkhardt has left his post at Upstate Colorado Economic Development for undisclosed reasons.
At the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp., Walt Elish has been named the new president and chief executive, succeeding Mike Masciola.
Upstate Colorado Economic Development, serving Weld County, has named the agency’s vice president of finance, Eric Berglund, as interim president.
Upstate chairman John De Witt said he could not discuss Burkhardt’s departure.
“I can’t comment on it yet because it hasn’t been resolved. Everybody went and got lawyered up,” DeWitt said. “But all is fine with the organization. It’s just a personnel change.”
Burkhardt had served as president and chief executive since 2005. He could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Northern Colorado Economic Development, serving Larimer County, selected Elish after a national search following Masciola’s resignation to become economic development director in Thornton.
“I want to take NCEDC to the next level,” Elish said. “We will be more aggressive in business development and retention. We’re going to be much more proactive in our business outreach activities.”
Elish formerly was president and chief executive of the Caribou, Maine-based Aroostook Partnership for Progress, a regional economic development group.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
