ABOUT US
The Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a non-profit organization established in 1984 to provide economic development services to Clear Creek County and its municipalities. In addition, the CCEDC administers a Business Loan Fund in Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties (Region 3).
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COMMUNITY / COLLABORATION / ENGAGEMENT / DETERMINATION / CREATION
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OUR MISSION
To catalyze a diverse and thriving business community that expands and stabilizes the workforce and tax base, and supports partnerships with passionate placemakers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kelly Flenniken, Chair
Kelly Flenniken serves as the Executive Director of Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), an advocacy and education group for Colorado's local governments. Prior to joining CCI, Kelly was the Director of Community Relations and Social Investments for Xcel Energy. Kelly completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Knox College. When not hard at work, or serving her community, Kelly enjoys spending time outside with her husband and their two daughters.
Brian Bosshardt, Vice-chair
Brian Bosshardt has worked in service to communities for the last 26 years, holding executive level positions for both cities and counties. He is currently County Manager of Clear Creek County, Colorado, where he works in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners and staff in the administration of county services, as well as tackling challenges including affordable housing and labor supply in the county. Brian previously served as City Manager for Bedford, TX; Deputy County Manager of Los Alamos County, NM; and, Organizational Development Administrator for Chandler, AZ. Brian is a trained facilitator with a focus on organizational development and strategic planning and has also worked as a consultant to local governments finding great satisfaction in helping teams create meaningful dialogue around their issues of importance.
Jim Epstein, Treasurer
Jim Epstein is currently the Executive Director and President of Write on Sports Denver, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on literacy skills for underserved middle school students. Jim serves as a board director for the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation where he is also a member of the loan committee. He recently was a member of the Citizen Advisory Council for the Clear Creek County Master Plan. Jim has been extremely active in the Colorado business community and is a graduate of 50 For Colorado and Leadership Denver. Jim received his BBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University and his MBA from Regis University.
Dan Ebert, Secretary
Photo and bio coming soon!
Bruce Brown
Photo and bio coming soon!
Chuck Harmon
Photo and bio coming soon!
Daniel Kim
Although Daniel Kim was born in California, he truly feels like a Colorado native, having moved here in 1997 and fully embracing what Colorado had to offer. His entrepreneurship journey started in 2007 from small pop-up stores to hotels. Being fully immersed in the self-employment world, Daniel knows the key components to help individuals strive in different environments.
Ray Rears
Since March 2022, Ray Rears has served as the Gilpin County Manager, managing a $39M budget (2024 expenditures) and an overall staff of approximately 190. Ray is originally from Jefferson County, a 5th generation Coloradoan, who graduated from Arvada West High School. He attended the University of Northern Colorado, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Applied Geography with a minor in History. In 2021, he received his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, with honors, as part of the Executive Program with the University of Colorado Denver.
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From 2004 – 2015 he served in the Gilpin County Community Development Office in many roles until finally as the Gilpin County Planner and Historic Advisory Liaison, while also running a small real estate investment company. From 2015 – 2022, Ray served as the Director of Community Development and Historic Preservation with the City of Central managing one of the largest departments in the city, various programs, and community efforts, along with a combined staff of seven with a budget that has ranged from $1.5 to $4.1 Million. He has served on a number of boards and committees. Currently, he serves on the Gilpin Ambulance Authority and CCEDC Boards, as the Gilpin County representative. In his various civic roles, he has faithfully served the people of Gilpin County for 20 years.
Hannah Wolf
Hannah Wolf is the Social Performance Specialist at Freeport McMoRan's operations in Colorado, where she works with both the Henderson Mine & Mill and the Climax Mine. She earned her Master's degree in Global Economic Affairs from the University of Denver, complemented by a certificate in Global Business & Corporate Social Responsibility. During her Master's studies, she engaged as a graduate research assistant, dedicating her efforts primarily to issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, Hannah contributed her skills as a Development Intern at the Women's Bean Project, a non-profit organization based in Denver. Prior to relocating to Colorado in 2021, she dedicated time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine. Hannah's academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Spanish from the University of Lynchburg, enhanced by a minor in Economics. Originally from Connecticut, Hannah is excited to call Colorado her home.
"Clear Creek County has a clear and unique historic identity, as well as thriving communities and world-class recreational opportunities. Through the Economic Development Corporation, Clear Creek County is able to connect people to this rich history and to future business opportunities."
Jon Cain, City of Idaho Springs Assistant City Administrator
STAFF
Lindsey Valdez, President & CEO
Lindsey Valdez has served as the President and CEO of the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation since 2017. Additionally, she is a small business owner, operating a delicatessen in historic Idaho Springs, Colorado. Lindsey considers herself a high-altitude girl for life, having lived in the mountains of Oregon, New Mexico, and now Colorado. While in New Mexico, Lindsey held management positions at both the municipal and state levels, including the Outreach Programs Manager for the New Mexico State Film Office, and the Event and Marketing Manager, Film Liaison, and Community Development Director for the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Her fields of study include liberal studies and political science, with an Associate of Arts from Marymount College (now Marymount California University), where she represented her class as Valedictorian, and a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University. Lindsey pursued graduate studies in public affairs with a concentration in international affairs at New Mexico Highlands University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and traveling with her three children.
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Board Member, Tri-County Workforce Development Board / 2023 - Present
Leadership Team Member, Metro Denver Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) / 2023