Sheridan Ross Shareholder John Posthumus was among the finalists for the Denver Post’s 2012 Business Person of the Year. The award, which was given to tom Clark, a key leader in Denver’s economic development, is awarded annually to a businessperson who had a significant impact on Colorado’s business landscape. Clark was recognized for a range of endeavors including his work on helping to secure a new U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in Denver, a project he worked on with Sheridan Ross’ John Posthumus. Read more about Clark’s work here.
The finalists included:
JOHN POSTHUMUS
Shareholder, Sheridan Ross law firm
Posthumus helped lead a drive to designate Denver as the site of a new satellite location of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The office is expected to be a big economic engine, employing up to 600 and generating $440 million in financial activity over five years. It will stimulate new waves of intellectual property development and research.
JOHN HICKENLOOPER
Colorado governor
Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has upended conventional political labeling by serving as a staunch business advocate.
His administration launched Blueprint Colorado, a bottom-up economic development strategy that includes provisions such as cutting red tape and making small-business loans easier to obtain.
MIKE LONG
Chief executive, Arrow Electronics
Long gave Colorado’s economy a huge shot in the arm last year by relocating the headquarters of Arrow Electronics, a Fortune 200 company, from Melville, N.Y. to Arapahoe County. But his impact didn’t stop with the relocation. Economic development officials say Long has helped attract other business, including Hitachi Data Systems bringing hundreds of new jobs to metro Denver.
BILL MOSHER
Senior managing director, Trammell Crow
Longtime Denver developer Mosher is helping spearhead the redevelopment of Union Station and the surrounding neighborhood.
The project, including a hotel, offices, restaurants and retail space, will become the key element of the Central Platte Valley’s conversion to a multimodal transportation hub