THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 4 4
OctOber15-28, 8-21, 2015 2020 JANUARY
THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator brings
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well-rounded perspective to new Mesa County role Phil Castle
as well as New England and Canada. Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” Frank Whidden brings what he but offer an important perspective because considers a well-rounded perspective to his they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of new job as Mesa County administrator. operations and how work gets done. They Whidden worked also tend to think about new and potentially in information better ways of doing things in asking and technology and holds answering “what if ” questions. “They know a master’s degree in how to effect change in an organization.” computer information Whidden expects to bring that same Prostart supplied an electric starting gateapproach for a bicycle facility on systems. But he also to hismotocross duties as administrator. the Colorado Mesa State University campus. Whidden The French to holds a doctoral saidmanufacturer it’s his role plans to help open an office in Grand Junction to servecounty clients commissioners in the United States wellthen as degree in applied make asand Canada and Mexico. Junction Economic management and (Photo courtesy Grand implement decisions. ThePartnership) commissioners decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent the residents of the worked for more than county and express their will, he said. “We 20 years as a minister. Whidden has work for the people.” worked for large and small organizations Whidden said he also considers himself in both the private and public sectors. a liaison between the commissioners and Whidden to draw on of his would county be staff, andtoone of theinpriorities to A Frenchexpects manufacturer of allstarting easier operate the U.S.isHe experiences in helping Mesamotocross County considered make sure employees feel valued. Whidden and timing systems for bicycle Denver, Montrose and Salt Lake commissioners make and carry out decisions. said before he hopes not only to improve morale, deciding on Grand Junction. plans to open its first United States office City Valuing staff and making the county but also that willworking make Mesa in Grand Junction. Gruntake said steps he enjoyed with an employer of choice among the GJEP. County“Ian organization for whichIt is people TheisGrand Junction know I can ask anything. very priorities, WhiddenEconomic said. So is planning transparent want to work. and you are just here to help.” Partnership, that results in sustainable funding Meanwhile, expects the Grun plans Whidden to officially relocate which assisted with and the balanced budgets onmove, a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives announced the to Grand Junction next year pending Meanwhile, Mesa will approval that support local andheeconomic opening County of the Prostart of an E2 business visa, which expects continue to pursue office effortsand that promoteona in development. There steps warehouse December. An E2 are visaadditional enables people friendly business25 Road. environment and to thatcome can be to make for local to taken the U.S. to setit easier up a business, economic development, Whidden businesses to sell He products and serviceshas to or office. said the company Owner said. Quentin practice Whidden officially began working as the county, he added. Grun said he learned invested at least $100,000 in its operations county administratorabout at the beginning of in theMesa County keepwas working with Grand Valley,will which required to Grand Junction Quentin Grun the year. He succeedswhen Tomhe Fisher, was apply other for government the visa. entities, organizations sold who a timing hired county in Summit fostering an environment system as to the cyclingmanager team at Colorado Mesa and institutions He expects on to hire one employee in the County, Utah. that supports existing businesses University four years ago and developed Grand Junction office early next year. and Whidden with joinedBrian Mesa Countyteam in attracts new businesses, he said. a relationship Flaherty, Prostart will continue operations in August technology Whidden said there be a director. 2011 Grun as saidinformation he also knows several France to serve European andcould international director. In April 2014, he became opportunities encourage the serve additional BMX riders who live in the area. deputy clients. The tocompany will the county for considered resource U.S., development of businesses thatitsprovide Grun administrator said he initially Canada and Mexico from Grand management a staffing reorganization services to the agricultural well Canada for hisinNorth American operations. Junction office, Grun said. industry Prostart as serves that eliminated fourofdirector as promote But with 80 percent sales onpositions. the continent clients in 20Mesa states,County he said.as a distribution Before joininghe said Mesa County, in the United States, he realized it center for the region.F Whidden worked for a company providing The important thing is to consider information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, colleges and universities. In that role, he Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we Construction continues on a trail that The first phase of the trail will soon managed IT systems and services for look at things.” will take mountain bike riders and other open on the lower half of the route from the institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois ✦ users 34 miles between the top of the Lands End Road crossing on the western Grand Mesa and downtown Palisade. flank of the Grand Mesa to the Palisade The Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Rim Trailhead. The second phase of the Trail Association (COPMOBA) and nearly trail connecting the Mesa Top Trailhead a dozen other organizations and government to the first phase section is scheduled for entities joined in a media event to offer an completion in December. The third phase update on the Palisade Plunge. involves a paved portion connecting the Scott Winans, president of COPMOBA, Palisade Plunge Trail to the Colorado called the singletrack trail a jewel for Riverfront Trail in Palisade. Western Colorado. By one estimate, the trail COPMOBA has worked for nearly will attract users that in turn will contribute 10 years to spearhead the project. Other $5 million annually to the local economy. partners have included he U.S. Bureau of “The Palisade Plunge Trail will Land Management and Forest Service, challenge users through a truly unique and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the unforgettable trail experience, providing Colorado Tourism Office, Mesa County, access to remote public lands while the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction, the traversing stunning alpine to high desert town of Palisade, the Outdoor Recreation terrain as it connects the top elevations of Coalition of the Grand Valley and Grand the Grand Mesa to the Town of Palisade Junction Economic Partnership. F 6,000 feet below,” Winans said. The Business Times
BMX manufacturer opens Grand Junction operation
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Construction proceeds on Palisade Plunge
