Getting to know your public trustees
Ten of Colorado’s 64 public trustees are appointed by the governor and serve at his discretion; all were appointed or reappointed in 2011 by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Who they are and their backgrounds:
Adams County Carol Snyder
Age 66. Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Adams County clerk and recorder, (8 years). Northglenn City Council,(2008-present). Colorado General Assembly, (2008-present). Associate’s degree, business administration, University of Denver. Paralegal certificate, University of Denver.
Arapahoe County
Ana Maria Peters-Ruddick
Age 54. Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Deputy trustee, 1998-2007; administrative assistant, 1987-1998. Associate’s degree, University of Phoenix.
Boulder County
Richard Gebhardt
Age 80. Appointed by Gov. Dick Lamm(1977); Gov. Roy Romer (1987); Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Colorado General Assembly, unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor and U.S. Congress. Master of Business Administration, University of Colorado.
Douglas County
George Kennedy
Age 63. Appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Mayor, Castle Rock (1984-88). Director of Douglas County Human Services. Deputy executive director of Colorado Department of Human Services. Colorado State University, B.A., social sciences.
El Paso County
Thomas Mowle
Age 47. Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter (2009); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Major (ret.) U.S. Air Force. Ohio State University, Ph.D., political science.
Jefferson County
Margaret Chapman
Age 63. Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Jefferson County Democrat of the Year, 2010. County coordinator for Hickenlooper’s campaign. Steering committee, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. University of Missouri, B.A., journalism.
Larimer County
Deborah Morgan
Age 56. Appointed by Gov. Roy Romer (1995); Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Larimer County board of adjustment. Certified public accountant. Colorado State University, B.A.
Mesa County
Paul Brown
Age 70. Appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Colorado General Assembly, 1975-79. Self-employed real-estate appraiser.
Pueblo County
Nicholas Gradisar
Age 62. Appointed by Gov. Richard Lamm (1985); Gov. Roy Romer (1987, 1991, 1995); Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Attorney. Pueblo Board of Water Works. Former chairman, Pueblo County Democratic Party. Drake University, J.D. Southern Colorado State College, B.A.
Weld County
Susie Velasquez
Age 61. Appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter (2007); Gov. John Hickenlooper (2011). Attorney. University of Denver, J.D. University of Northern Colorado, B.S.
