Board of Directors

Mr. Anderson is the senior international Executive Leadership Coach, CEO and Founder of the Leadership Science Institute, LLC. He is a Certified Master Coach (CMC). He is a senior executive with equal blend of technical, business, managerial and public sector skills developed during experience with several “Fortune 500” companies and local municipalities.  He is also Certified in Applied Neuroscience.

He has extensive experience in helping his international executive clients to be successful.  He helps them expand and grow their careers and/or businesses through skills assessments, coaching and training. In addition, he helps them to train and develop their professional staffs. He possesses the unique ability to help his clients attract, retain, and motivate outstanding management and professional leaders. His company was awarded the “2020 Top Leadership Development Company” by Manage HR magazine and “2021 Top Leadership Development Company” by HRTech Outlook Magazine.

Mr. Anderson was an Adjunct Professor in Business and Management at Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Westminster, Colorado where he taught a variety of business courses. Today, he is a State appointed Business Adviser to the FRCC system. He is an official facilitator for the World Business and Executive Coach Summit (WBECS).  As a Certified Business Advisor for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), he helped businesses to start, expand and grow.

He was a publicly elected official. He held the positions of City Council Member and County Commissioner for the City and County of Broomfield in the State of Colorado.

He is the author/co-author of the following books:

• “Unwrapping the CIO: Demystifying the Chief Information Officer Position” (iUniverse Publishing: September, 2006)
• “Powerful People Are Powerful IT Professionals: Your Daily Guide to Becoming a Powerful Information Systems Person” (iUniverse Publishing: January, 2007)
• “I Am Unemployed … Now What Do I Do?: An Organized Approach to Becoming Employed” (iUniverse Publishing: June, 2011)
• “I Am An Unemployed Christian … Now What Do I Do?: An Organized Approach to Becoming An Employed Christian” (WestBow Press: March, 2013).
• “Psychology of Business Success: A Practical Guide to Successful Leadership” (Minibük: December, 2017) – From Wayne’s Pocket Leadership Series
• “Coaching Perspectives VIII: The Magic of Executive Coaching”  (Center for Coaching Certification: November, 2018)

He is a U.S. Navy veteran. He holds degrees in Organizational Leadership, Information Technology and Business Finance and is a keynote speaker on various motivational topics for both public and private organizations.  He also holds positions on a variety of non-profit boards of directors.

He resides in Westminster, Colorado USA.

Executive & Operational Leadership

Strategy | Innovation | Technology

Relationship Building | Marketing

High Profile Recognition & Network

Examples of Board Experience:

Manufacturer’s Edge | Executive Committee – Chair

World Business Angeles Investment Forum (WBAF)

Global Women Leaders Committee (GWLC), Board of Directors, Co-Chair

AeroAI Global Solutions | Board Member

Shelli Brunswick is a transformative leader whose visionary prowess and strategic acumen have sculpted a distinguished 35-year career within the global space ecosystem. Her multifaceted expertise in leadership, strategic foresight, and advocacy underscores a relentless commitment to driving technology innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and championing diversity and inclusion. From her esteemed tenure in the U.S. Air Force as a leader in space acquisition, program management, and congressional liaison, to an impactful tenure as the COO of  Space Foundation and now the CEO & Founder of SB Global, Shelli exemplifies exceptional leadership acumen.

She is the Board Chair for Manufacturer’s Edge, an approved center for the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, where she provides strategic, financial, and operational oversight. A board member for the GWLC of the WBAF, an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion. She is a board member for AeroAI Global Solutions whose mission is to leverage space technologies and artificial intelligence to create international solutions to critical global challenges.

Shelli’s global impact resonates through her prolific authorship and sought-after keynote speeches. She has published articles in consumer, technology, and space-related journals. Her compelling addresses traverse continents, inspiring audiences with insights on career success, leadership, and workforce development. Beyond the podium, her engagement with prestigious think tanks like the Hudson Institute and the Wilson Center amplifies her capacity to shape pivotal conversations around innovation and technology. Her influence extends beyond the present, by contributing to research initiatives for NASA and the European Space Agency, shaping the global space paradigm.

A stalwart advocate for women in space, Shelli’s numerous accolades—including being named among the Top 100 Women of the Future in Emerging Technology, recipient of the Chief in Tech Award, and earning two Lifetime Achievement Award. Passionate about nurturing talent, inspiring the next generation, and fostering global collaborations, Shelli embodies a dedication to driving meaningful change. She has served as a mentor for the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs Space4Women and WomenTech Network Mentoring Programs.

Her academic achievements include a MBA from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University-Pueblo, Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute, and a certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University. Most recently, she has completed the Deloitte Board Readiness Program, an educational and networking program for senior executives.

Tom Bugnitz has over 35 years of broad experience in strategic planning, operations and financial oversight. Most recently, Tom served as the Chief Executive Officer for Manufacturer’s Edge for nearly a decade and recently retired in November of 2021. Prior to Manufacturer’s Edge, Tom was a senior executive for Coolerado, a manufacturer of cutting-edge green air-conditioning systems that grew from five to 60+ employees during his tenure. As founder and president of the Beta Group, Inc., Tom advised corporate and government clients across the globe for over 25 years in business strategy development, cross-organizational team building, and management process and organizational redesign. Tom also co-authored a widely-adopted book on business strategy and capital planning for technology, now in its third edition of printing.

Career History

• Manufacturer’s Edge, CEO, 2012 – 2021
• Coolerado Corp, Vice President, 2008 – 2011
• The Beta Group, Inc., President and Founder, 1988-2008
• Design Color Systems, Vice President of Strategic Planning, 1995-1999
• Washington University, Director of Computer Services, 1978-1988

Education

M.B.A, Washington University in St. Louis

B.S. Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Washington University in St. Louis

Jay Dokter is a business executive and serial entrepreneur who has been a leader in many successful start-ups and fast-growing companies. Jay’s passion is business strategy, modeling, start-ups, accelerated business growth, collaboration, and job creation for northern and greater Colorado.

Jay has over 35 years experience within markets and industries such as electronics, manufacturing, semiconductors, software, commercial property, higher and continuing education, food service, entertainment, and retail distribution.

Jay is presently the President/CEO of Vergent Products; Jay and the Executive Team acquired the company in January 2019. Vergent Products is an end-to-end full-service contract manufacturer that designs and builds products for medical, aerospace, defense, instrumentation, and industrial control customers.

Jay is also a General Partner of Forge Campus (former HP campus located in Loveland, CO). Forge Campus is an 811,000 sq ft technology campus located on 177 acres that promotes and encourages client tenant growth through an eco-system of collaboration and innovation.

Jay was formerly the CEO of YouSeeU-Bongo and founder of the non-profit The Warehouse Business Accelerator, Yellow Duck Capital, and the non-profit Orphan’s Hope. Prior, Jay was a founder of CADEKA Microcircuits and Data Entry Products, and managed growth companies such as Ultimate Support Systems and the Pizza Ranch.

Jay’s background is within multiple disciplines including manufacturing, design engineering, product development, operations, human resources, sales, marketing, legal, business development, property management, education, and executive management; all with national or international experience.

Jay serves as President on the Loveland Business Partnership board, a Loveland Chamber Board member, a member of the Colorado Angels/Rockies Venture Club, Colorado’s Advanced Industries grant review board, supports the City of Loveland and northern Colorado’s economic development initiatives, and is an active business mentor.

According to a survey conducted by BizWest Magazine, Jay Dokter is one of the top 50 most influential business leaders in Northern Colorado and Boulder Valley.

Jay Dokter holds an Associate’s Degree in electronics from NW Iowa, Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Regis University, and an MBA from Regis University.

Tim Heaton is the President of the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA). As the President of the Association, Tim has been responsible for working with the Board of Directors to develop the organization’s strategic vision as well as implement the plan of programs, events, and services to meet the needs of the CAMA’s manufacturing members.

Additionally, he works with the National Association of Manufacturers on national policy issues to make certain Colorado manufacturers’ voices are heard.

Tim brings over twenty-five years of manufacturing experience, from proof-of-concept to institutional capital development, turnaround, and product development, along with his economic development and governmental affairs experience.

Mr. Heaton began his professional career in Washington, D.C., working for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Tim has served as a Sub-Center Director for the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Center and as the Manager of the Small Business group for the Denver Chamber of Commerce. He has also received the Federal Laboratory to Industry Technology Transfer Award from the Colorado Technology Transfer Society.

Jessica Jessen is an Executive Vice President for FirstBank, an employee-owned bank with its roots beginning in Lakewood, Colorado in 1963.  FirstBank has grown organically to over $27 billion in assets becoming one of the nation’s largest privately held banks and Colorado’s largest locally owned bank.  Jessica has worked at FirstBank since 2004 and directs operations for retail operations, works with consumer, business, and non-profit clients on their banking and financing needs, and manages a workforce of over 100 employees and officers within the North Market.

Jessica is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time in the mountains with her husband, two young sons, and two dogs.

Education: 

University of Northern Colorado –  Bachelor of Science in Business Management, minors in Economics and Spanish, graduated summa cum laude

Pacific Coast Banking School, University of Washington – Certificate of Banking in masters-level extension program

Community Involvement:

Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission – 2017 to present

Brighton Economic Development Corporation, Executive Committee – 2022 to present

Horizon High School Career and Technical Education Advisory Board – 2010 to present

FirstBank Scholars Advisory Committee – 2012 to 2021

Brighton Housing Authority, Board Chair – 2010 to 2018

As Economic Development Program Manager for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Drew Kramer is responsible for working with the wholesale power supplier’s 41 member utilities to foster economic prosperity in their rural communities across a 200,000 square mile service territory covering parts of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Drew develops and maintains productive working relationships with regional, state and local economic development agencies and organizations and provides a voice for rural utilities in forums addressing such critical challenges as housing, broadband and workforce.

In over a dozen years at Tri-State, Drew has conceived and managed community engagement programs to support the company’s generation, transmission and mining operations. He has served on boards and committees for several organizations, including: the National Rural Economic Developers Association; Economic Development Council of Colorado; Craig (Colo.) Chamber of Commerce; Club 20; Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado; Adams County (Colo.) Regional Economic Partnership; Wyoming Economic Development Association; Nebraska Economic Developers Association; New Mexico IDEA; Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Institute for Science & Policy; and the Rocky Mountain Institute’s eLab Accelerator program. He has significant experience in public speaking and is a skilled writer.

Prior to joining Tri-State, Drew held a senior position at a Denver public affairs firm consulting with government and private sector clients on the responsible development of energy, natural resources and transportation projects. Prior to that, he spent more than a decade in various communications and public policy positions in Washington, D.C. and New York City. A Montana native and Boston sports fan, Drew holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University and resides in Denver with his wife, Brett, and sons Oliver and Channing.

Dan Luzietti is an experienced, innovative senior accounting and finance executive with more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience.  He’s currently the CFO at Hercules Industries, Inc., a 100% employee-owned steel fabricator and wholesale distributor in the HVAC industry.

Dan graduated from the University of Notre Dame earning a Bachelor of Business Administration while majoring in both accounting and economics in 2000.  He also earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2007.

In his twelve years at Hercules Industries, the company has more than doubled its size in both employees and revenue.  He has built operational and financial infrastructures to facilitate growth, increase productivity, and improve profitability while ensuring sound corporate governance and internal controls.  In 2019, he helped transition the family-owned business to an ESOP.  He now works hard to maintain the solid financial foundation for future growth and prosperity while educating his fellow employee-owners on how the business works and how each individual effort creates value potential.

Kathay Rennels works to advance collaborative networks across the state and create economic development opportunities. She has significant experience fostering public and private partnerships in regional and rural workforce development, with particular attention to Larimer and Weld Counties. Rennels previously served three terms as a Larimer County Commissioner and is now leading the Food and Agriculture Key Industry Network for the State of Colorado.

Rennels helped initiate the “Value Chain of Colorado Agriculture” study, released in February 2013, and co-authored the November 2014 follow-up study, “The Emergence of an Innovation Cluster in the Agricultural Value Chain along Colorado’s Front Range.”

She also currently serves on the Northern Colorado Economic Development Council, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, El Pomar Foundation, The Matthews House, Larimer County United Way, and Colorado Youth Conservation Association.

Dan oversees the State’s strategic response to the once-in-a-generation opportunity that is the CHIPS Act. In this pursuit, he seeks to bring technical, living-wage jobs to the people of Colorado through the expansion of a thriving, globally competitive semiconductor and advanced industries ecosystem. His role is expansive. He acts as a subject matter expert by advising business and government leaders on the semiconductor industry and federal funding opportunities in CHIPS, along with IRA and IIJA. He acts as a business development specialist by demonstrating the value of operations in Colorado to companies seeking expansion. And he acts as a program manager by developing and maintaining programs to support the growth of the semiconductor industry, with a particular focus on incentivizing growth in underserved communities and populations.

Prior to his current role, Dan was a leading member of the Strategy and Analytics team within OEDIT’s Global Business Development (GBD) division, where he provided the analytical support necessary to meet Colorado’s data-driven economic development goals. He collected, processed, and analyzed large datasets; tracked emerging local, state, national, and global economic trends; designed and implemented research projects; and created promotional and informational materials for internal and external stakeholders. He developed GBD’s current annual strategies on investment outreach and export promotion, and advised the governor’s policy team, as well as local communities, on trade and tariffs.

Before coming to Colorado, Dan and his wife road tripped for several months through the American West in a loop that followed the Rockies north and the Pacific Coast south and took them through dozens of national and state parks. Prior to this trip, he served as an economist in the Standards Evaluation and Analysis Division at the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC for five years, where he estimated the economic impact of planned regulatory and policy interventions. He holds an MA in Economics from Northeastern University in Boston. He enjoys getting outdoors with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Experience

Armite Laboratories, Inc. dba Armite Lubricants
President & Business Development (Jan. 2019 – Present)

Sandstrum Law, LLC
Co-Founder/Managing Director (2013 – Present)

Current: Business law, transactions, M&A, contracts, international contracts, regulatory (aerospace/defense/trade).

Pre-2022: Business, Law, transactions, contacts, complex business/commercial litigation, employment, real estate, and private capital raises/securities and other related practice areas.

Downtown Denver Law Firm
Of Counsel – Chair/Head of Business Department (2012 – 2013)

Broomfield Law Firm
Special Counsel – Chair Business Department (2010-2012)

Downtown Denver Boutique Law Firm
Special Counsel – Co-Head Business Law Department (2007 –2010)

Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLLP
Managing Partner
October 1998 – June 2008 (10 yea Newport Beach, CA

Licenses

*Licensed to practice law in Colorado (2007) and in California (1998)

Education

University of California, Los Angeles
B.A., Political Science (1987-1992)

Western State College of Law
J.D., Law (1994-1998)

Associations & Organizations

Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA)
Board Member (Jan. 2021–Present)

Manufacturers Edge (ME)
Board Member (Jan. 2023-Present)

National Manufacturing Association (NAM)
Member (Jan. 2021- Present)

Advanced Manufacturing Science Institute (AMSI)
Advisory Board Member (Jan. 2021–Present)

A Precious Child, Inc., 501c(3) nonprofit (2011–2019)
Board Member – Founder Youth Advisory Board, Governance Chair
9 years 10 months. Chairman of the Board from January 2017 through January 2018.

Since 2008, SG Aerospace & Gas has been pushing the boundaries of quality and innovation. We are a precision manufacturer of application-specific products that support the Aerospace, Oil & Gas, and Industrial markets.

SG Aerospace & Gas was originally named Wren Industries. Mike And Shannon Sneddon purchased Wren Industries in 2008 then renamed to SG Aerospace & Gas in 2020. The primary goal was to establish our company into a precision Aerospace manufacturer with an emphasis on short turn and short run production. Within the last 14 years, we have worked to gain an expertise within this scope and have developed our processes to keep current with technology. In 2019 we were named Colorado’s Aerospace Manufacturer of the year by Company Week and Manufacturer’s Edge. We have also been a pioneer in the training and understanding of rural suppliers who need assistance in navigating the difficult environment of the Aerospace supply base.

Mike Sneddon is the President of SG Aerospace & Gas. Mike spent 20 years as an Engineer and business manager for Hamilton Sundstrand in Grand Junction prior to purchasing the company with Shannon in 2008. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from AIU, along with an AAS Degree in Manufacturing Technology from Colorado Mesa University. Mike also holds board positions on Grand Junction Economic Partnership as well as Colorado Space Business Roundtable and recently retired as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Lower Valley Fire District.

Professional Summary

Co-owner and Director of Marketing, HR, and Finance with 35 years of progressively greater responsibilities for industrial furnace sales, troubleshooting, human resources management, advertising, budgeting, planning, and overall management functions.

University of Colorado at Denver B.A., English Literature
University of Colorado at Boulder, Ph.D., Philosophy (AOS: Ethics)

Employment Summary

Human Resources Manager, Platte Valley Hospital
Adjunct and Visiting Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Corporate President, Deltech, Inc. (present)
Owner/Manager, Deltech Kiln and Furnace Design, LLC (present)

Professional Affiliations

Member of the American Ceramic Society Manufacturing Division
Member of the American Ceramic Society Energy Materials and Systems Division
Board member and past Chair, Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation

A Dothan, Alabama native, Jansen graduated from Auburn University with a Master of Public Administration. Starting his career in the private sector, he has a background in both construction, retail, hospitality, and local media.  In 2011 he joined the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority as the Executive Director. In 2017, Jansen took the helm of the newly formed Spartanburg Downtown Development Partnership.  In December 2018, Jansen’s role was expanded as Executive Vice President of Corporate and Urban Development for the Economic Futures Group. He proudly joined the Jeffco EDC in May 2020, ushering in the 65^th year for Colorado’s oldest economic development organization.  On January 1. 2022 – the Jeffco EDC board ushered in a new era with the addition of the West Metro Chamber and Leadership Jeffco to their organizational umbrella.

His career accomplishments have been built around a collaborative and innovative approach to economic development solutions, built on data-driven decision making.

Jansen and his family are proud to call Jeffco home.  He is married to Laura, a teacher, and has a 7^th and 3^rd grader.  He currently serves on the Red Rocks Community College Advisory Board and the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport Advisory Board.  His previous community involvement is extensive and includes higher education board, historic preservations, recreation boards, and committees on smart technology in cities.  When not in the office, you may find him on the slopes or cheering on the Auburn Tigers, Broncos, Avs, & Nuggets.

CURRENT

Arvada Works KAPS Council

Colorado Companies to Watch Steering Committee

Jeffco Business & Economic Task Force

Jeffco STEM Advisory Committee

Red Rocks Community College: Board of Advisors

Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport:  Board of Advisors

PREVIOUS

Alabama Leadership Initiative:  Class of 2012

Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation:  Past Board of Directors

Dothan Area Young Professionals – Past Chairman and Board of Directors

Dothan Business Hall of Fame:  Past Advisory Board

Dothan Chamber of Commerce:  Past Board of Directors

Dothan’s 40 under 40

Dothan Recreation Board:  Past Commissioner

Dothan Rotary Club

Evergreen Presbyterian Elder

George Dean Johnson School of Business Advisory Committee:  Chairman

GSP Airport Advisory Committee

IDA:  National Council on Smart Cities

Leadership Dothan, Class XXVII

Leadership Spartanburg. Class XXXIX

Murals of the Wiregrass Board of Directors:  Past Vice Chairman

Northside Development Group Board of Advisors

United Way:  Past Dothan Area Board of Directors

Urban Land Institute:  Council on Rethinking Southern Cities

Urban Land Institute:  Upstate Executive Committee