Executive Bios

Mike Kazmierski
 
 

  Mike Kazmierski, President & CEO 
 
  Mike Kazmierski joined EDAWN on November 15, 2012 after a
  national search to find a president/CEO. Kazmierski will lead a team
  of six economic development professionals to recruit, expand and
  retain primary businesses that create quality jobs in the Greater Reno-
  Tahoe region. Kazmierski and EDAWN will collaborate with local and
  state partners to implement Assembly Bill AB449 and the
  reorganization of economic development in the state to enhance
  
business recruitment, expansion and job creation. 

 
Professional History


President and CEO –
Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation (2005-2011)
Kazmierski managed 14-person non-profit economic development corporation, recognized as one of the top performers in the country.  During his tenure, Kazmierski assisted in the attraction and expansion of more than 70 companies that created more than 10,000 new jobs. 

  • Established a business attraction program that nearly doubled the number of prospects, increased announced jobs and exceeded a 70 percent closure rate for companies that visited the area and announced a relocation or expansion.
  • Developed business retention and expansion program that was nationally recognized. The program significantly reduced lost jobs, succeeded in the retention of the U.S. Space Foundation and initiated a "Think Local" initiative that was supported by city and county governments within the Colorado Springs area.
  • Co-chaired a citizen's coalition that led the regional effort in support of the state's Referendum C campaign - An initiative that added hundreds of millions of dollars to transportation and education across the state.

Chief Operating Officer -
Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. (2001-2005)

  • Kazmierski managed daily operations and a $1.4 million budget. He oversaw employee relations, financial management and board support.
  • Established and co-chaired a citizen's coalition that led a successful effort to gain voter support for a Regional Transportation Authority which invests hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the transportation system of the region.

City Manager - Ft. Carson, Colorado (1997-2000)

  • As the Garrison (Base) Commander, Kazmierski directed 11 directorates with a civilian and contractor staff comprised of 3,000 employees. He recommended and implemented policies to improve the quality of life for a community of more than 116,000 personnel. Kazmierski managed an Army installation of 470,000 acres, $1.4 billion of infrastructure, 2,000 buildings - equivalent in size to the 20th largest city in the state of Colorado.

Chief Executive Officer of the 7th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks -
Oahu, Hawaii (1993 - 1997)

As the commander, led and supervised an organization of 600 soldiers capable of conducting a variety of military operations. The organization deployed overseas for military training exercises and contingency operations, and was recognized for a highly successful joint counter-drug operation in the Western United States and a combined U.S./Thailand operation in Thailand.

Education
Masters of Business Administration, Webster University, Kansas City, Kan.
Masters of Military Arts and Science, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
Graduate, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA
Graduate, City Manager’s Organizational Development Course, Fort Belvoir, VA
Graduate, Leadership Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO
Graduate, Colorado Springs Leadership Institute, Colorado Springs, CO
Completed all Academic Requirements for Certified Economic Developer, IEDC


Public and Community Service

Vice Chair - Economic Development Council of Colorado (2009-2011)
(Co-Chair) - Colorado Economic Leadership Coalition (2006-2011)
Member of the Pikes Peak Workforce Development Board (1998-2000 / 2009-2011)
Chair - Colorado Springs Citizen's Transportation Advisory Board (2002-2005)
Co-Chair of the Pike's Peak Citizen’s Transportation Coalition (2003-2004)
Member of the Colorado Springs Chamber’s Defense Mission Task Force (1997-2011)
Member of the American Heart Association Board of the Pikes Peak Region (2001-2004)
Member of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Board (2007-2011)
Chairman of the Combined Federal Campaign for the Pikes Peak Region (1997-2000)

Personal
Married, wife, Margaret
Two children: Zack (17 yrs old) and Claire (16 yrs old)

Contact Mike Kazmierski at kazmierski@edawn.org or 775.829.3737

 

 
 Stan Thomas, Vice President of Business Development
 
 Stan Thomas is Vice President of Business Development for the 
 Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN). In
 his role, Stan manages EDAWN’s business development efforts to
 recruit, expand, retain and start-up companies that create good-
 paying, skilled jobs and opportunities in the Greater Reno-Tahoe
 region.


Thomas oversees EDAWN’s business development division which pursues a three-tiered business development strategy including the strategic recruitment of out-of-market companies, assistance to in-bound companies looking to relocate to the area, and business expansion and retention of existing business. Among the target industries EDAWN pursues for growth in the region include manufacturing, advanced logistics, clean energy technology, business and financial services, software, life science and aerospace and aviation. 
Additionally, Thomas and the EDAWN business development team cultivate relationships with EDAWN’s key regional partners from city and state government to K-12 and higher education and workforce development and real estate development partners.
Thomas is a veteran sales, marketing and economic development executive with more than 20 years in regional economic development positions. Prior to joining EDAWN, Thomas was the vice president of sales/marketing and contract negotiations for Wade Development Company, a 5,000-acre industrial development at the Crossroads Commerce Center in Fernley, Nev., and the 249-acre Dayton Valley Industrial Park. Prior to joining Wade Development, he spent 12 years at Sierra Pacific Power Company, now NV Energy,  as director of economic development assisting more than 200 companies locate to Nevada as part of the power company’s statewide growth strategy.
Thomas is actively involved in the local community serving on the Bank of Omaha Advisory Board and Renown Health Systems Foundation Board. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Contact Stan Thomas at sthomas@edawn.org or 775.829.3731
 
 
 
 
 

 

For More Info Contact:
Julie Ardito
Direct: 775.846.8445
julie@arditopr.com