A Public Observer is written by me, Jon Stavney. I am the Executive Director of Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) which represents nearly 30 towns and counties across the Colorado high country rural resort region. One of the great parts of my job, besides managing a wonderful organization with engaged staff delivering diverse services is that I also get to serve and visit various local governments, monitor trends, share ideas & best practices and problem solve with them.
I love my job in Silverthorne and Eagle, my community of 22 years (where my family is) so much that I travel 120 miles most days between the two.
Though many kernels of what I write may originate in my work, past and present, ALL of of the facts, figures, stories, and opinions proffered in A Public Observer are my own. Though a link may have brought you here from elsewhere, what you read here is all on me. That’s OK. As a public servant, I’m no stranger to accountability.
Prior to this role, I had a wonderful opportunity to serve as Town Manager in Eagle, Colorado from 2013-2015, and prior to that, I served as County Commissioner twice in Eagle county, elected in that role from 2008-2013. Before that, my day job was as a Project Manager building second homes for an amazing Vail-based custom home builder, Beck Building Company, during which time I was elected and served many evenings as a town trustee and Mayor in Eagle while that town grew 15% per year for a decade. Budgets for the homes I built were routinely two to three times the Town’s general fund. Beck had a strong value and systems based culture. For a more detailed understanding of these roles, visit my profile on LinkedIn where my resume is posted.
My enthusiasm for local governance comes from enjoying the fruits of small community successes, and being a part of civic processes that were effective in public engagement, building place and reinforcing public trust.
One of my most formative early experiences in community building came as a residence hall manager at Whitman College where it was my honor for 5 years to hire and train staff to welcome freshmen, establishing culture and community on an annual basis. It was there I learned many things that still serve me well. Full disclosure, I also used to build Lego and Matchbox car cities with masking tape roads in the basement as a child and did a little of that as a parent as well. Perhaps I will write to explain how that matters at some point.
I also love to travel, and I am a photographer. Most of the photos in A Public Observer are my own.