FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024
SALIDA, Colo. – The Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation announced today that longtime Denver-based economic developer Deborah Cameron will become the third Executive Director in the organization’s 16-year history. Cameron announced earlier this week her intention to leave her current post as Chief Business Development Officer for the City and County of Denver’s Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) Office.
Cameron has built a remarkable career in economic development, including a state-level role as the Director of Business Development for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT,) numerous leadership roles within city ecodevo offices in Colorado, and an 8-year run with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA.)
Her TVA role gave Cameron important insight into the unique challenges and opportunities related to rural economic development and directly led to her interest in this new role in Chaffee County, which will begin on January 1st.
“My husband and I have been passionate about Chaffee County and the Central Mountains for nearly twenty years, visiting to absorb the beauty and authenticity the community offers. My history of working in small, rural communities has shown me what can be done to support business and employment growth in places like this,” said Cameron. “I’m honored to be in a position to contribute what I’ve learned over the years to advance a community that I’m thrilled to live in.”
Cameron will take over for current EDC Executive Director, Jake Rishavy, who led the organization since 2020 and announced his intention earlier this year to acquire Heart of the Rockies Radio Group in Salida. That acquisition recently cleared FCC approval and is anticipated to close on Jan. 1, 2025.
According to leaders of the EDC’s Board of Directors, the leadership change will allow for continuity of the organization’s core programs that support year-round employment opportunities for Chaffee County residents, while bringing a fresh set of eyes to the organization’s policy advocacy and workforce development efforts.
“Over the past three years under Jake’s leadership, the EDC’s entrepreneurial support programs have become some of the premier rural economic development programs in Colorado,” said EDC Board Chairperson Dave Blazer, owner of The Trailhead in Buena Vista. “Deborah will no doubt have a ton to add to those programs, while also bringing an important new perspective to the local policy advocacy work we perform in support of a thriving business community.”
EDC Board Vice Chairperson Joe Smith, who serves as SVP, Mountain Regional President for Collegiate Peaks Bank, noted Cameron’s long history in the public sector as being uniquely well suited for the EDC role.
“It’s fair to say that public-private collaboration and partnerships are more important now than ever here in Chaffee County, and Deborah’s history of leadership in the public sector over many years will be a significant asset to our work,” said Smith.
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ABOUT CHAFFEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Founded by local business leadership in 2008 in response to the Great Recession, the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation has led private sector efforts to advance year-round job creation in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Operating as a standalone nonprofit organization, the organization brings together private businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic partners to support entrepreneurial growth, develop a modern workforce, and advocate for public policies that support business growth. More at www.chaffeecountyedc.com.