On September 22-23, 2016, Gunnison County leaders and community stakeholders will interview five finalists for the position of Community Development Director. Russ Forrest recently vacated the position and is now the Manager for the City of Gunnison, CO. Prothman, an executive recruitment firm located in Issaquah, WA, was hired to lead the recruitment effort, and Prothman President Greg Prothman will serve as a panelist during the finalists’ interviews.
On Thursday, September 22nd, Gunnison County will host a public reception for the finalists in the multipurpose building, located within the fairgrounds complex at 275 S. Spruce Street in Gunnison. The reception is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm, and light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to come meet the finalists and provide input to the hiring committee.
The list of finalists includes two current members of the Gunnison County Community Development Team. In alphabetical order, the finalists are:
----Greg Moberg has been serving the City of Grand Junction, CO as the Community Development Manager since 2007. Prior to his current position, he served Ouray County, CO (1995-2007) as the Land Use Administrator. Greg has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Colorado.
----Cathie Pagano has been with Gunnison County since 2001, and she has served the department as a Senior Planner (2014-present), Planner I (2006-2014), Planning Technician (2002-2006), and Environmental Health Assistant (2001-2002). Cathie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science and English Literature from the University of Colorado, and a Masters of Applied Science degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.
----Richard Rudnicki has been with Isle of Wight County, VA for the past eight years as the Assistant Director (2014-present), Principal Planner (2014), Planner II (2009-2014), and Planner I (2008-2009). Richard has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and a Masters of City and Regional Planning degree, both from Clemson University.
----Neal Starkebaum has been with Gunnison County since 1998, and he is currently serving the department as the Acting Community Development Director (Aug 2016-present). Neal has served as the Assistant Community Development Director (2001-Aug 2016), and as a Land Use Planner (1998-2001). Neal has a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University.
----Alex Strawn has been serving the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Palmer, AK as the Development Services Manager since 2011. Immediately prior to that position, he served the Borough as a Planner II (2008-2011) and a Land & Resource Management Technician (2007-2008). Alex has a degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
A hiring decision and announcement are expected to be made in the near future.
For more information, contact County Manager Matthew Birnie at mbirnie@gunnisoncounty.org.