What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Lt. Governor that will benefit our state?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University and an MBA in International Business from the University of Phoenix.

• Former, Director of Global Operations – BAE System, Inc.
• Founder President & CEO, DeNOVO Solutions, LLC
• President and CEO Thornberry Consulting, LLC
• Former the University of Denver – Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Board of Advisor
• Board of Directors, Leadership Program of the Rockies
• Board of Advisors, Leadership Program of the Rockies
• Member, Colorado Small Government Contractor Collaborative
• Executive Council /Board of Directors, Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT)
• Former, Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commissioner CD #
• Program Management Institute – Mile High Chapter
• Board of Directors Farmland Partners Inc. (FPI)

What is your vision for being our state’s Lt. Governor?

I will serve at the pleasure of Heidi Ganahl and work hard to help her implement her policies. I will be a conduit for the people of Colorado. Our urban and rural communities do not have a voice and deserve one.

I will be a Lt. Governor who engages with the people of the state where they are at. I will listen to their concerns and seek their input on possible solutions. My vision is to be the voice of the people in the Governor’s ear. This will be done by extending myself into these communities and making my office the communities that we represent. My vision is that all Colorado children can read by 3rd grade.

The Constitutional powers and responsibilities of Colorado Lieutenant Governor are quite nonspecific, what is your understanding of the role of Lieutenant Governor in Colorado?

We need to undo the harmful policies signed into law by Governor Polis that have directly resulted in the rise in crime in our state. Our state is one of the most dangerous places to raise a child.

Bills like HB19-1225 – No Monetary Bail for certain Low-level crimes (class 3 misdemeanor). This was followed by SB21-271 – Misdemeanor Reform which reduces the sentencing of misdemeanors. The net effect of auto theft in Colorado of a vehicle valued at less than $2000 now becomes a misdemeanor. Colorado is #1 in Auto Thefts. HB19-1263- Reduced Offenses Level of Controlled Substance Possession. As a result, Colorado’s opioid murders have, and have the second highest increase in fentanyl overdoses nationwide

As Lieutenant Governor, you would serve as the statutory chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) whose members represent various interests within the Native American community. What is your experience in working with Native American communities, and what is your vision for being the chair of the CCIA?

I do not have experience working with the Native American communities. But, as with other Lt. Governors, I will quickly adapt and ensure that the Native American communities get the proper attention and support. I have extensive experience working with other minority groups and will use what I have learned to ensure quality support to this vital community.

As Lt. Governor, how would you seek to protect the most vulnerable in our state, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?

Life is important, period. We must act within the law to protect life, take aggressive actions against human trafficking, and respect and care for the elderly in the final stages of life. How a society treats its young and elderly reflect on the character of the society. We should protect the weakest in our society and provide them with dignity.

As Lieutenant Governor, what initiatives/special projects would you like to be assigned by the Governor to undertake for the benefit of the citizens of our state, and why?

SPARK stands for System, Plan, Access, Resources, and Knowledge. This plan is an innovative approach to “Creating opportunities and advancement for Colorado’s underserved Communities.” It focuses on Economic Empowerment, Safe Neighborhoods, Prosperous Families, Home Ownership, and Thriving Education. Several key initiatives are:

• Large company – Small company growth initiative that would provide help and support for small, underserved businesses in the Black, Hispanic, and Rural communities.
• Create a statewide board of business and community leaders and law enforcement personnel
• Collaborate with counties and local communities to address mental illness and substance abuse
• Put parents in charge of choosing the school their child goes to by promoting educational funding

Since 2011, Lieutenant Governors in Colorado have been appointed to head other government positions for which they receive a second salary in addition to their salary for Lieutenant Governor. Do you support or oppose this, and why?

I do not oppose the appointment of the Lt. Governor as head of other government agencies, but I disagree with the circumvention of the Colorado Revised Statute.  If our state executives require more compensation, we should look to update the C.R.S. to reflect the change needed.

Colorado has a number of challenges.  The nucleus of the problem is our failing education system.  At present only 31% of our children can read at grade level and 35% can do math at a grade level. Colorado also has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the nation. The Lt. Governor should lead in reversing this trend and that is what I intend to do.

If the Governor is not able to perform his or her duties and you become Governor of Colorado, what are your qualifications for assuming our state’s highest office?

I am a CEO of a multi-national company that operates in five states and two foreign countries.  I hold a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University and an MBA in International Business from the University of Phoenix. I am PMP (Program Management Professional) and SAFe® Scaled Agilist certified. I have 43 years of experience in progressively demanding leadership, management, and technical positions across the Intelligence Community. I am experienced in establishing customer relationships and building effective teams involving multiple organizations. I have proven programmatic success in large- and small-scale development and engineering programs.

My total life experience coming from the projects of Louisiana to the Navy, to a C-suite executive gives me the qualifications required.

What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Lt. Governor that will benefit our state?

I have been a business manager for 36 years. The last ten years I specialized in Human Resources. I am recently retired so there is no conflict of interest. I have been a political activist for more than 40 years, so I have a good understanding of Colorado’s policies and politics.

What is your vision for being our state’s Lt. Governor?

I want to support the Governor’s plan and help bring some items to fruition. Most notably, His view for expanding access to school choice and justified budgeting for all government departments. Currently most departments submit a budget request for the previous budget amount plus inflation. With Justified Budgeting, each department would have to show accountability for every dollar they request. Some departments will find they can do everything with less money while other departments will not have to struggle in futility to achieve their mission.

The Constitutional powers and responsibilities of Colorado Lieutenant Governor are quite nonspecific, what is your understanding of the role of Lieutenant Governor in Colorado?

Other than chairing a couple of committees, I should be an advisor and help the Governor complete his agenda of demilitarizing our police force, improving school choice, and justified budgeting. This would include speaking with the state representatives, charities, and other non-profits.

As Lieutenant Governor, you would serve as the statutory chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) whose members represent various interests within the Native American community. What is your experience in working with Native American communities, and what is your vision for being the chair of the CCIA?

While I do not have a formal experience with the CCIA, I have been a student of the American Indian Movement since 1974. I have had many personal talks with Russel Means, Leader of the American Indian Movement before he passed. I think I have a good understanding of the difficulties facing today’s Native American Indian.

As Lt. Governor, how would you seek to protect the most vulnerable in our state, including the lives of the unborn, the trafficked, and the elderly?

The homeless/mentally impaired are our most needful. Non-profits could do more if the government would get out of the way.  The elderly were promised a retirement for giving up a substantial amount of their paycheck, but the government has spent their money on other things. Taking Social Security and Oil and Gas taxes out of the general budget, would help our elderly and roads. Education helps to protects the unborn or trafficked person. A man or woman owns their own body. While I hate seeing them do something harmful, it is not my place to judge them. Kidnapping is already against the law, so I propose diverting police funds to finding kidnapped and or missing children.

As Lieutenant Governor, what initiatives/special projects would you like to be assigned by the Governor to undertake for the benefit of the citizens of our state, and why?

Most notably, I would like to help with our homeless. I think we could make huge strides in the homeless population if we would stop doing police sweeps and taking what little they have. Let’s focus on why they are homeless and help them transition without strings attached. Let various non-profits and churches have more flexibility to help who they deem a good risk. Blanket laws always hurt the minority.

Since 2011, Lieutenant Governors in Colorado have been appointed to head other government positions for which they receive a second salary in addition to their salary for Lieutenant Governor. Do you support or oppose this, and why?

I see no reason to take another salary. If the offered position is too time consuming, taking me away from my primary duty, I would appoint someone else. This is not a stepping-stone to a federal office. My only concern is Colorado.

If the Governor is not able to perform his or her duties and you become Governor of Colorado, what are your qualifications for assuming our state’s highest office?

As stated before, I have 35 years of business training including, budgeting, marketing, and human resources. I also have been actively involved with the Libertarian Movement for over 40 years. They have some of the most brilliant policy advisors one could ever hope for.