ALUMNI

Bill Fanning began his Boulder County tenure in 1977 as the branch manager of Midland Federal Savings and Loan, where he led the team to triple production.  In 1984, he took his talents to Mellon Financial and became the Northern Colorado Manager.  Again, Fanning increased the loan volume – this time, by over $20 million…

Sean and Rebecca Gafner have built a group of restaurants serving Longmont, with the goal of creating comfortable community spaces that serve high quality food and drinks. Sean Gafner was born and raised on a farm and cattle ranch in the San Joaquin Valley, CA.  He fell in love with the restaurant industry and graduated…

Dr. Larry Gold is a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been determined to change healthcare for the better through teaching, research, and debate among scientists and citizens throughout the world.  While at the University, he served as the Chairman of the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department from 1988 to…

After working in Boulder restaurants since the ’70s, Efrain Gomez opened the first Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant in Lafayette in 1991, where he taught generations of Boulderites what Mexican food—particularly green chile—should taste like.  Efrain moved to Colorado Springs in 1962 and worked at the Army base kitchen for three years, cooking large amounts of food…

Susan Graf jump-started her career in Boulder in 1989 when she was hired as VP of Human Resources by Leanin’ Tree, one of Boulder’s earliest entrepreneurial success stories.  During this time, Susan served as Board Chair of both the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the Boulder Area Human Resource Association. In 2004 Susan became the…

Lucinda “Lucy” Sanders is a distinguished technologist.  She is a driving force behind the effort to increase the number of women in technology fields, open up STEM to everyone, and improve business practices around diversity and inclusion.  Lucy has an extensive industry background, having worked in R&D and executive positions at AT&T Bell Labs, Lucent…

Cheese Importers was started in 1976 by Lyman & Linda White, after several failed attempts bringing to life their dreams of a natural food coop and various other enterprises. Choosing Longmont as “home” in 1972 after living a vagabond lifestyle started a new chapter in family life. As Mother and Father of two girls Clara…

Philip Shull, 75, arrived in Boulder in 1965 from Arvada, to attend CU. He has lived here continuously with life partner Christine Kimura.  Shull’s father was an architect, and he has been fascinated by design and fabrication processes, especially woodworking, ever since his teens. After a short stint as a carpenter, Shull founded Deneuve Construction…

Jesus Soto is the founder of Las Americas Tortillerias.  Born in the state of Durango, Mexico, he is the third of seven siblings. He is the father of two daughters and grandfather of five. In 1972 he and his wife decided to migrate to the United States, seeking a better life for their future children,…

Cheryl Liguori is CEO of Z2 Entertainment, a Boulder, Colorado-based entertainment company, originally formed in 2010 with the merger of two iconic Boulder venues, The Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater.  Z2 Entertainment continues to grow with the addition of The Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, and as a regional promoter with exclusive booking arrangements at…

Bruce “Biff” Warren is an attorney with Warren, Carlson & Moore, LLP. He was born and raised in Creighton, Nebraska, a community of 1,200, and participated in sports and music. His mother, Gerry Warren, taught at University Hills Elementary School (1946-1949), and his father, Merritt Warren, a CU Law School alum, was an attorney and…

Bob founded Vermilion, a Boulder-based creative agency, in 1980. He has helped grow and shape scores of iconic Boulder organizations such as Allegro Coffee, Via Mobility Services and the Community Foundation Boulder County, as well as national organizations such as Charles Steward Mott Foundation, Wild Planet Foods, The MacArthur Foundation, and the Gill Foundation, and…

Allen Ginsborg was one of the Rocky Mountain region’s leading experts on the retail operations that are the backbone of America’s consumer economy. Ginsborg completed more than 1,000 shopping center leases with a total value in excess of $1 billion, some 50 shopping center sales and more than 100 land transactions. In April 2008, Ginsborg…

In 1998 Ron began his tenure as Boulder’s City Manager. In 2002, he concluded his 29 year career in local government and became the President of the Boulder Community Hospital Foundation. In this role, Ron oversaw the major construction and fundraising for the Hospital’s Foothills campus. Under his leadership the Foundation’s assets quadrupled. He retired…

Cotton Burden’s family moved to Boulder County in 1963, and following graduation from Fairview High School, Cotton enlisted in the Navy. He served for four years as an aircrewman on P-3 Orions at various Pacific duty stations, and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. He met his wife Joy while stationed at Moffett Field Naval…

Todd Dutkin has been the CEO of Fresca Foods for almost two decades. During his tenure, the company has grown from a small team of fifteen to a leader in the natural foods industry, with approximately 450 employees and over 330,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Primarily fueled by work with innovative entrepreneurs to scale…

For 40 years, Avocet Communications has been helping businesses in Boulder County – and all over the U.S. – strategically ignite their growth and position their brands for success. Approaching every client from a fully integrated marketing perspective, Avocet is at its core a family business. Agency CEO Lori Jones began working for her father,…

In the late 1960’s Carol Riggs got a part time job at Sturtz and Copeland answering the phones for Valentine’s Day, while she was working on her bachelor’s degree at CU. She immediately fell in love with the pace, the plants, and the customers, and it soon became her vocation. In 1976 she bought the…

Scott built Google Boulder into a 1,400+ person campus with Payments, Google Drive, Geo, Search, Chrome OS & Advanced Measurement development teams. He encouraged the addition of Google Technical Services, People Ops and Verily teams. Scott, with his Google team, worked on many community engagement efforts including Google investing $41.7 million in state-issued bonds to…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes George Berg, one of the four founding partners of Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP. Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti was founded in Boulder in 2001. Berg was the managing partner from then until 2016. Starting with just five attorneys — the firm is now 43…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Henry Braly. Braly’s career began in Longmont in 1960 when he started Henry Braly & Co., a utility construction company. After 10 years, the company grew to 25 individuals and was eventually sold to CAP Construction. This success was followed by the founding of Frontier Materials…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Charles Haertling, famously known for his modern and organic residential architecture in Boulder and Denver. A native to Missouri, Navy veteran and an architecture graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Haertling called Boulder home in 1953. Haertling served on the architecture faculty at the University…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Cheryl and Sam Sussman, founders of Eight Days a Week. Their story in Boulder starts in 1971, when Sam relocated from Wilmington, Del., where he worked for IBM. Sam, a University of Kentucky graduate, started a company called Earth Dynamics Inc. with several friends. Their manufacturing…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Vicki Trumbo. Trumbo grew up in Iowa and moved to Lafayette in 1976 with her husband, Dave, and 2-year-old daughter, Megan. Their son, Andrew, made his welcome in 1981. Dave managed Hiway Drug in town, and they later purchased the drug store and ran it from…

Peter  was  formerly a practicing dentist in Vail, Colorado from 1972 until 1980.  Looking for more varied challenges, he sold his practice and entered the Real Estate Industry, first as a commercial broker in Denver, Colorado.  It was during this period that he met Marcel Arsenault, initially by brokering  investment  properties to Colorado and Santa…

The Boulder County Business Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Phil Wiland, chairman and CEO of Wiland Inc., the nation’s premier source of insights into consumer spending behavior. Wiland Inc.’s industry-leading database helps marketers identify the digital and direct-mail audiences most likely to respond to their messages and become long-term customers, donors and subscribers. In the…

David Bolduc is the President and Owner of Boulder Book Store, one of the largest and most diverse independent bookstores in the country, with 20,000 sq. feet, more than 100,000 titles, three floors, and approximately 50 employees. Boulder Book Store attracts visitors from around Colorado, as well as tourists from across the country and the…

Gina Day graduated with a BS degree in Medical Technology and continued with an internship to receive her certification with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. She worked at Boulder Community Hospital, Peoples Clinic and with Corning Medical Company during her medical career. Gina started working in the hospitality business in 1990 when she went…

After dealing with adversity early in her life, Heidi’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills helped her pick herself up and found Camp Bow Wow, a $100 million leader in the pet and franchise industry. For this effort, she has received accolades in the press including being named one of Fortune Magazine’s Top 10 Most Promising…

An Iowa grad, Diane moved to Boulder in 1975 to run local AM radio station KADE.  Shortly after that, she and husband Bob purchased an FM license, and built it into KBCO, one of the top-rated stations in the Denver market.  They sold their interest in both stations in 1990, and helped to found the…

Dave Query has a long history with food and cooking in Boulder, Colorado. It started at the palace of all things good grub, Mustard’s Last Stand, where at a young age he learned the very gratifying return of making someone something to eat and having them really enjoy it. After attending the Culinary Institute of…

Golden Van Lines is honored to be nominated into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame. We are a fifth generation family-owned and operated business, and as of 2018, we have entered into our 114th year of continuous service to Longmont and Boulder County. Since 1904, our family has prided itself on our ties to…

In 1969 Gary and Harriet Golter bought Longmont Florist. The business was fortunate to grow with Longmont and the surrounding area featuring the freshest flowers, friendly service and fast delivery. In 1998, with the help of a great crew, Brad and Lisa Golter took over the business. The Golters and Longmont Florist continue to support…

Jon Kottke and his wife, Lenna, moved to the Boulder area in 1972. Celebrating 47 years of marriage to his college sweetheart and raising two children he’s proud of add to what he considers a good life. People who know Kottke describe him by using words in common: relatable, strong moral character and excellent mentor….

Jeff Nading bought Golden Triangle Construction in 1993. Then, the 16-year-old company had five employees. Today, it has about 100, and between 1993 and 2016 the company completed more than $1.5 billion in construction projects. Jeff is expecting to close out 2017 with the largest volume of business to date. Golden Triangle continues to receive…

Taking care of his Precision Plumbing team of more than 60 employees is what has led to a successful career for Tom Robichaud. By taking care of his team, Tom is taking care of business. He takes the culture of his team seriously and by doing so, they take care of Precision customers. In addition…

When Rick Sterling co-founded Sterling-Rice Group, he and his partner went into it believing they would fail. To reduce the risk of that, he and Michael Rice decided to speed up the process of making it or not making it. With a “high-hanging fruit strategy,” they were able to sign major companies like Pepsi, Kraft…

In 1966 Gold Key Travel, Ltd. began in Longmont under the guidance and leadership of Mrs. Mitzi Wood (front row, right) and her business partner, Mrs. Pat Meade.  The firm has operated continuously since then and has employed three generations of family members in addition to several long-time, loyal staff members.  Mitzi and Tom Wood’s…

William Glenn Arnold founded Arnold Ford in Boulder in 1923. His sons William Jr., Sandy and Pat purchased it and remained in business as Arnold Bros. Motor Company for 55 years. The Arnold family is more than a local business. They are founding organizational members, fundraisers and elected representatives for Boulder and the State of…

Tom Kalinski is a towering pillar of the Boulder Valley real estate community. In his career, Tom has built hundreds of homes, and helped clients buy and sell thousands of homes. His company, RE/MAX of Boulder, has been the top-producing local agency for nearly 40 years, selling a record $1.1 billion in real estate in…

As CEO of Gastroenterology of the Rockies, Dr. Joel Montbriand has been at the forefront of growth in gastroenterology care in Colorado since 1988. His one physician Boulder practice has expanded to a large gastroenterology practice serving Boulder County and the metro Denver area.   Applying best business and technology practices to his clinical expertise has improved scalability, patient access, and quality…

Richard Polk, president of Boulder’s Pedestrian Shops, has been a fixture in downtown Boulder since the early 1970s, selling Earth Shoes out of his truck and then from a storefront on Pearl Street. He operates his company, a nationally known retailer of comfortable footwear, with his daughters, Lauren Polk Brown and Zoe Polk, and is noted…

Steve Ralston, established Ralston Bros. Antiques in 1974, after serving in Vietnam. Christine and Steve Ralston joined forces in marriage and business in 1981.  For his success in business and dedication to his community, Lyons honored Steve by designating High Street as RALSTON BLOCK.  A scholarship in his memory is awarded annually to students with…

Leonard Strear began his career by delivering dressed poultry to customers on his bicycle for his father’s small poultry processing plant in the 1930’s. He later served in WWII, received numerous medals of valor, then returned and guided the family business, Longmont Foods, to become the world’s largest privately held integrated turkey operation employing 1500…

With help from their five sons, Don and Lee Weakland started The Flower Bin January 1971 on a two lane road in the country.  Their thriving garden center has grown every year, and now includes several greenhouses where they grow almost everything they sell. They salute Longmont and Boulder County for supporting the business that…

Founder of Leasetec CorporationPrincipal of St. Julien Hotel and Spa Richard Barrett’s business career spans everything from high technology to apparel to hospitality. He is president of Union Leasing Corp and founder of Leasetec Corp. and principal of St. Julien Hotel and Spa. A graduate of the University of Vermont and Stanford Graduate School of…

Founder and CEO of Brock Media Company. Tom Brock’s career in publishing began in 1976. His goal has always been to build something positive in the community, and support local businesses and culture. Boulder Magazine, Boulder County Home & Garden and 20-plus additional publications have shared stories of the remarkable people in Boulder County and…

David Brown and the other co-founders of Techstars. Techstars was founded in 2006 in Boulder by David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld and Jared Polis and is a mentorship-driven accelerator that invests in the world’s most promising startups. David Cohen and David Brown were co-founders of Pinpoint Technologies. Brad Feld is a co-founder of Foundry…

David Cohen and the other co-founders of Techstars. Techstars was founded in 2006 in Boulder by David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld and Jared Polis and is a mentorship-driven accelerator that invests in the world’s most promising startups. David Cohen and David Brown were co-founders of Pinpoint Technologies. Brad Feld is a co-founder of Foundry…

Former Owners of the Louisville Times/Lafayette News/Erie Review. A fourth-generation Coloradan, Percy Conarroe spent 55 years in weekly newspaper publications, including 32 years as publisher of the Louisville Times, Lafayette News and Erie Review. His well-researched, sharply worded and award-winning editorials gave a voice to the voiceless, held politicians accountable for their actions and contributed…

Owner, Snyder Jewelers. Snyder Jewelers opened on Main Street in Longmont in 1948. Over the years, grandparents Hobart and Audrey, parents John and Barbara, Linda, and her sisters worked together building the business and serving the community. As the third-generation owner of Snyder Jewelers, Linda has continued contributing generously to numerous organizations. She is most…

Brad Feld and the other co-founders of Techstars. Techstars was founded in 2006 in Boulder by David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld and Jared Polis and is a mentorship-driven accelerator that invests in the world’s most promising startups. David Cohen and David Brown were co-founders of Pinpoint Technologies. Brad Feld is a co-founder of Foundry…

Senior Counsel – Lyons Gaddis Kahn Hall Jeffers Dworak & Grant PC. Wally Grant grew up in Longmont and graduated from Longmont High School, Yale University, Stanford Law School and Denver University Business School. He began his law practice in 1967 and now practices with Lyons Gaddis Kahn Hall Jeffers Dworak & Grant, PC in…

Owner of Oskar Blues Brewery. Dale Katechis is “soul” founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, Oskar Blues Original Grill & Brew, REEB Cycles, Hops & Heifers Farm, and the REEB Ranch. Oskar Blues Brewery, which has locations in Colorado and North Carolina, has experienced explosive growth and now distributes trailblazing brews to 41 U.S. states. Avid…

Jared Polis and the other co-founders of Techstars. Techstars was founded in 2006 in Boulder by David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld and Jared Polis and is a mentorship-driven accelerator that invests in the world’s most promising startups. David Cohen and David Brown were co-founders of Pinpoint Technologies. Brad Feld is a co-founder of Foundry…

Mitchell “Mitch” Carson came to Boulder County in 2001 as the President and CEO of Longmont United Hospital. His 40 year hospital administration career has included hospital executive positions throughout the Midwest. His belief in giving back to the community is exemplified by Mitch’s having service on the boards of the Longmont Area Economic Council,…

Terrence P. “Terry” Gallagher Sr. was born in his parent’s farmhouse north of Boulder in 1934. Terry graduated from Boulder High in 1952, attended CU, and went to work for Oriental Refining in 1955. In 1974 he was named President of Asamera Oil. In 1984, Terry purchased Gasamat Oil; in 1991, he was instrumental in…

Robert “Bob” Gill and his wife Lois moved to Boulder in 1983, where Bob became president of the electronics division of Ball Aerospace.  Subsequently, he became president and CEO of ConferTech International. In 1996, Bob formed The Topaz Group to provide business consulting services, and he continues to be a strong supporter of the Boulder…

Sara (center) and Lenny Martinelli (right) have been in business since 1994 and are the owners of Three Leaf concepts, a local restaurant group that includes seven locations: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, the Chautauqua Dining Hall, Naropa Café’, Aji Latin American Restaurant, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, The Huckleberry, and Zucca Italian Restaurant. In addition the Martinellis also…

In 1959, William G. “Bill” and Lila Stewart purchased KLMO, a failing 250-watt Longmont radio station and transformed it into a 10,000-watt powerhouse for promoting the community. Mrs. Stewart’s “Happy Talk” show attracted listeners from four states to Longmont events and businesses.  In 1969, the Stewarts added KLMO-FM. Bill Stewart passed away in 2012. The Stewart…

Cain serves as chief executive of The Cain Travel Group Inc. in Boulder, which employs 60 people and posted annual sales of $104 million in 2012. The company, which ranks as the 56th-largest travel agency in the United States, provides a full suite of travel-agency services to the corporate, vacation and corporate-meeting markets.

Chapman is managing partner of First MainStreet Insurance Ltd. in Longmont, a full-service independent insurance agency serving Longmont, the St. Vrain Valley, Boulder County and beyond. The agency has grown from seven to 25 employees under Chapman’s leadership and has been a major contributor to many local charities.

Dixon was a longtime partner and owner of three businesses on the Hill in Boulder: Kinsley & Co., Kinsley Outfitters LLC and An Orvis Shop. Kinsley & Co. was a local, trendsetting haberdashery founded in 1949, providing men’s and women’s clothing. Dixon began working for Kinsley as a salesman and manager in 1982, eventually becoming…

Nix is owner and president of Nixcavating Inc., a Longmont-based excavating company that he launched in 1982. The company employs 20 to 25 people. Nix got his start at Bradford Construction, founded by his uncle Jerry Bradford. Nix has donated excavation services to many Boulder County nonprofits over the years.

Retzloff is a co-founder and chairman of Alfalfa’s Market Inc., an iconic Boulder-based natural and organic grocer. He also co-founded Aurora Organic Dairy Corp. in 2003, and continues to serve on the company’s board of directors. He also co-founded Horizon Organic Dairy Inc. in the early 1990s and once served as chairman of Rudi’s Organic…

Rysavy is founder and chairman of Louisville-based Gaiam Inc., a public company offering environmentally friendly, yoga and LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) products. Rysavy is a longtime Boulder County entrepreneur, founding such companies as the Crystal Market, which became the first Wild Oats Market when it was sold. He then took a small office-supply…

After being discharged from the Army in 1956, William “Bill” Hofgard, moved to Boulder with his wife Edna and their one-year old son Mark. Bill started in business as a young life insurance agent during which time he and Edna raised two additional sons, Jeff and Kurt. As an employee benefit consultant/broker, Bill founded Benefit…

Gene was born and raised in Louisville Colorado. He and his wife Virginia raised their daughters, Reggie, Jeanne and Shelley in what Gene describes as the perfect place to raise a family. After retiring from Denver Public Schools as an administrator, Gene began his second career as the Executive Director of the Louisville Chamber of…

Charles and Katherine Hover moved to Colorado from Chicago in the early 1900s, eventually purchasing property on the west edge of Longmont. Charles Hover became a successful farmer and businessman and a member of the chamber of commerce. His wife, Katherine, founded Hover Manor, a retirement community where senior citizens could live in dignity. Beatrice,…

Charles and Katherine Hover moved to Colorado from Chicago in the early 1900s, eventually purchasing property on the west edge of Longmont. Charles Hover became a successful farmer and businessman and a member of the chamber of commerce. His wife, Katherine, founded Hover Manor, a retirement community where senior citizens could live in dignity. Beatrice,…

Scot, a life-long Boulder County resident and Allegheny College graduate, started his real estate career in 1976 and co-founded The Colorado Group, Inc., a full-service commercial real estate company, in 1987. Throughout his career, Scot mentored many interns, all of whom excel in this profession. Scot and his wife, Eileen, raised three sons, Chase, Auggie…

Diane Stow is a Longmont native whose grandfather was a real estate broker here in the 1940’s. She has held her real estate license since 1976 and has been with Re/Max Traditions, formerly Re/Max of Longmont for her entire real estate sales career. She has been ranked as one of Re/Max Mountain States’ top 10…

In 1979, while a sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Nathan C. Thompson founded Western Automation, later renamed Spectra Logic. Spectra Logic is the gold-standard designer and manufacturer of innovative tape and disk solutions that provide ultra-high capacity data storage. Spectra’s products are manufactured in Boulder, and sold and serviced world-wide. He and…

Eric grew up around the world, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984 and spent 8 years active duty before returning to Colorado in 1993. Inspired by the craft beer renaissance, he and Dick Doore started brewing beer together. Left Hand Brewing Company is the awesome result, employing great people and engaged in…

John married Faye in 1974 and they have a son Baird and daughter Jordan. John and Faye founded Solid Systems Engineering Co. offering systems for mining and power. October 2008 it was acquired by a London company. They started Air Control Science Inc. 1994 to develop innovative pollution control systems for coal-fired power. In 2007…

John is a native of Longmont, graduating from Longmont High School in 1963, Stanford University in 1967, and University of Colorado Law School in 1970. In 1970 he joined the law firm which is now Flanders, Elsberg, Nash, Herber & Dunn. The firm was co-founded by his great grandfather in 1871 and is committed to…

Dan moved to Boulder County in 1984 continuing an executive career in the high tech industry. In 1990, he left high tech to start a family business and purchased his first hardware store at 17th & Main in Longmont. The family still owns and operates that store today as Ace Hardware Longmont. He has served…

R. David Hoover retired as CEO of Ball Corporation in January 2011 after a 40+ year career with the company. He remains chairman of Ball’s board of directors. Dave joined Ball in 1970, when the company was headquartered in Muncie, Ind. He transferred to the Boulder area between 1980 and 1987 to oversee the finance…

Dan was born in Boulder and graduated from Fairview High School in 1962. He founded Western Disposal Services in 1970 with one truck and two employees. Today, Western has 130 employees, 72 trucks and 20,000 collections are made each day. To support Western’s commitment to sustaining the environment, over the next few years natural gas…

Marv joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, at the University of Colorado in 1973. His chief scientific achievement was his groundbreaking research in nucleic acid chemistry, which led to the efficient and automated chemical synthesis of DNA and RNA. When combined with other biotechnology breakthroughs, this work reshaped research in biotechnology, biology, and pharmacology,…

George Karakehian moved to Boulder in 1971 after graduating from CSU to follow his soon to be wife, Kristin. In 1980 he opened Art Source International, which specializes in antique maps and prints. It has been located on the Pearl Street Mall for the last 20 years. George is actively engaged in the Boulder community…

The three men grew up in Boulder and met during middle school. After reuniting and becoming friends during their college years, they subsequently purchased the Eldorado Springs Resort property in 1983. Eldorado Artesian Springs was founded with the intention to bottle and sell what is now regarded as one of the finest natural spring waters…

Master Hung D. Tran is a lifelong practitioner and teacher of the martial arts. Born in Saigon, Vietnam during the war, Master Tran and his 2 brothers and 2 sisters became refugees from their war-torn country at the end of the Vietnam war. In 1994, Master Tran opened Tran’s Martial Arts and Fitness in Longmont,…

William Boettcher moved to Boulder County in 1959 after serving in the Navy and graduating from the University of Nebraska. He purchased BC Services in 1964 and grew the company to one that employs more than 130 people. Boettcher served with distinction as president of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, as director of Norwest…

Jay Elowsky created Pasta Jays, “A Restaurant You Can Call Home.” Pasta Jay’s opened in 1988 and now has locations in Boulder, Moab and Lone Tree, with additional sites planned. Elowsky is generous donating time and money to schools, churches, shelters and individuals. The University of Colorado Athletic Department created the Jay Elowsky Community Support…

Born in 1938, Richard Herring came to Boulder in 1960. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and a doctorate from the University of Colorado. Herring worked at Beech, Ball Aerospace and help found DigitalGlobe Inc., and sat on a number of boards for the community and CU. He also worked with Engineers without…

Jerry Lee joined the W.W. Reynolds Companies in 1981 and quickly found his passion in real estate development. Since that time, he and Bill Reynolds have enjoyed a business partnership that has resulted in numerous commercial and residential developments in Boulder and beyond. Lee is dedicated to giving back to the community, and his years…

Peter Behrendt joined Exabyte in 1987 after spending 26 years with IBM. With Behrendt at the helm, Exabyte became a leading designer and manufacturer of computer tape drives and libraries, and contributed millions of dollars in value creation to Boulder County through its successful initial public offering in 1989. He has supported many community causes…

Joan Brett and Culinary School of the Rockies – Joan Brett built the Culinary School of the Rockies from an idea when she was a practicing attorney. The school is now a world-class institution that brings people to Boulder County from across the United States. The school has trained thousands of students in home cooking, as…

John Fenstermaker is described as a “world-class business executive.” Fenstermaker joined IBM out of the University of North Dakota and held various challenging engineering and engineering management assignments at IBM and Staodyn Inc. He served, and in some cases continues to serve, as leader on the board of the Longmont Chamber of Commerce, EDAL (now…

Edwin Kanemoto has been vice president and co-owner of Longmont’s largest real estate company, Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors, since 1977. He has been one of the leading commercial real estate brokers and is a quiet business giant with strong goal-oriented planning and knows how to generate enthusiasm and energy into any endeavor in which he…

Harlow Platts, now deceased, moved to Boulder in his early teens and graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in engineering. During World War I, he served in France. In 1919 he entered the family business, Western States Cutlery, one of Boulder’s oldest manufacturers of sheath and pocket knives and axes and known…

​David Wyatt started Wyatt Construction Company in 1970 and he is actively involved in every project. David visits every jobsite; every day; and making sure that the project is being conducted/constructed up to his very high standards of cleanliness, safety, scheduling and quality. David is involved with every project from the start of construction through post…

Colorado native Lane Earnest co-founded Caplan and Earnest, Boulder County’s oldest and largest locally owned law firm. For more than four decades of his professional life, “Earnie” has provided leadership, energy and good humor to numerous educational, civic, community, philanthropic and Christian organizations throughout the state. He has left an indelible mark on the State’s…

Tom Eldridge arrived in Colorado in 1955. He purchased Tom’s Tavern, a Pearl Street MaStreet Mall institution in downtown Boulder, in 1959. He has been a member of the Chamber for more than 20 years; he served as Boulder City Councilman for ten years, and served as Deputy Mayor for three years. Tom was a…

Being blessed by a loving family, inspiring mentors, supporting employees, caring friends and a strong personal faith has permitted him to be a community activist, while pursuing a career of corporate leadership, management training and professional speaking. Sports, outstanding role models models and challenging opportunities in the military, college and early jobs led to the…

Entrepreneur, community actity activist and philanthropist, Richard “Dick” Klein’s lifetime of leadership has been marked by innovation, creativity and a commitment to his community. Founder of Longmont’s K-Theatres Corp., Dick never shirked from a challenge and, in fact, embraced new technologies, including television, cable and video rental, that others suggested signaled the end to his…

Ed and Bernice Mock founded Mock Realty Co., in 1965. Later their three sons became involved in the company. Ken started the management department before leaving Boulder. Gail started as an agent in 1973 and now owns Mock Realty Co., and Bruce is the owner of Mock Management Co. Ed has served on many community,…

Daniel Pirrallo and the Harvest House Hotel – A consummate hotelier (“Humble Inn Keeper”), Dan brought the depth of his experience in nine major U.S. cities to the Boulder County community, to which he has passionately devoted his time and energy to forge partnerships betips between local charities, cultural arts organizations, and the business community. Dan…

Jesse Aweida is regarded as the father of the computer data storage industry in Boulder County. He was the original chairman and president of Storage Technology Corp., which he founded in 1969 and built into a billion-dollar company in 12 years. Since leaving the company, Jesse has been involved in the financing and startup of…

George Heinrichs and Stephen Meer are the co-founders of Intrado, our nation’s primary provider of 911 infrastructure and services. Early in their careers they saw that work worth doing and building a successful business need not be mutually exclusive. Their passionate focus on improving 911 has changed the way 911 works, and dramatically improved the…

Dave Hight moved to Colorado in 1936. He joined McGuckin Hardware in 1960 to work with his father-in-law. Dave has been active in numerous community and philanthropic initiatives, including the Jaycees and as a longtime Rotarian. He is renowned for his generosity. His largest contribution to Boulder County has been working in his store and…

George Heinrichs and Stephen Meer are the co-founders of Intrado, our nation’s primary provider of 911 infrastructure and services. Early in their careers they saw that work worth doing and building a successful business need not be mutually exclusive. Their passionate focus on improving 911 has changed the way 911 works, and dramatically improved the…

Marguerite Peoples purchased the Lyons Café in 1962.Her little enterprise, originally comprised of six seats and two-and-a-half booths, flourished due to her hard work, steadfastness and innovation. Known as “the pie place,” the café treated all comers to homemade pie that she baked herself daily. Personal and professional life blended together in a successful career…

When Vanderlynn ‘Van’ Stow began his career with Brock and Company CPAs. little did he know how much that firm was involved in community affairs. For more than 40 years as part of that accounting firm, Stow continued building the tradition of helping businesses. Stow believes that the rewards for volunteering to assist numerous business…

Stephen Tebo is the founder of Boulder-based Tebo Coin Co., Tebo Store Fixtures and Tebo Development Company, which owns and manages more than 100 commercial properties across the Colorado Front Range. Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science. He and his wife, Shari, are tireless contributors to the…

Dee and Glen Anspach moved to Lafayette in 1955 and opened a small jewelry business, which has grown into one of Lafayette’s longest established businesses, Anspach’s Jewelry. Their son, Graig, now manages the business and does most of the design and custom jewelry work. Dee and Glen generously gave back to the community that supported…

In 1974 Ron Cheyney was touring the United States on a motorcycle when he ran out of money in Longmont. He worked odd jobs for a few years before starting a typesetting business in 1978. The business grew and soon became Ron’s Printing Center. During the next 27 years Ron helped many charitable organizations including…

Since co-founding Communication Arts Inc. in 1973, Richard Foy, Henry Beer and Janet Martin have pioneered an international design business that melds architecture, interiors, urban design, branding, marketing and environmental graphics. They are known for innovative ideas that reflect and enhance people’s lives, projects that connect to audiences, and memorable places that produce desirable outcomes….

Ted and Carolyn Manzanares are Boulder County natives who have operated Senor T’s Mexican restaurant in Louisville, for the past 33 years. They opened the business in the historic Red and White grocery store building in the 700 block of Main Street, later moving to a historic building on the 800 block that was originally…

Bill Suitts of Boulder founded Colorado Mortgage Co. in 1958 and still serves as its president. It has provided financing for residential projects in the city and county for more than 5,000 single-family homes. Bill was responsible for the creation of local landmark neighborhoods, including Boulder’s Martin Acres, Keewaydin Meadows and Frasier Meadows, and Centennial…

After retiring from her profession in downtown revitalization to raise a family in 1987, Teresa Warren opened Off Her Rocker Antiques in Nederland in 1989. Sixteen years later, she is still standing behind the counter managing her expanding business, commercial property and actively volunteering for the Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce (of which she is…

Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont was established in 1958 to provide personal service, dignity and respect for all at the time of loss. Ahlberg’s dedication to the families he served was supported by his Christian faith and Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” This dedication also was embodied in his participation and support of many…

As president and founder of Boulder-based Spyder Active Sports, Jacobs has built the company from a small startup in his Boulder kitchen to a worldwide skiwear brand. He is a 1987 inductee into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame in Quebec, Canada, a 1988 inductee into the Canadian Honor Roll of Skiing, and a 2001…

Kevin and Ronda started their Louisville bakery business together in 1985. Initially, they expanded the business to include wholesale baking. Their retail business has provided award-winning comfort food and a comfortable fun environment for generations of customers who have made it a part of their daily routine for years. A mainstay on Main Street, it…

After an entire working career with the Daily Camera in Boulder, Paddock retired as editor – the third family member in the post. He served as president or chairman of the following organizations: Boulder Historical Society, Boulder Rotary Club, Town and Gown, Boulder County Business Hall of Fame, Colorado Press Association and the Parks and…

Born and educated in Boulder, Bill Reynolds has lived in Colorado all of his life, except while serving two years as a naval officer in San Diego. Reynolds graduated from the University of Colorado in 1962 with a degree in business, and is a founding member of the CU Real Estate Council. During the past…

Positive growth in the quality of life in western Boulder County has a common denominator – Dan Ball. From computers supplied to the schools, to fresh produce in the Senior Nutrition program, Ball is considered to be one of the region’s most consistently supportive patrons. Before there was a mountain community center, Ball’s family business,…

The Colacci family has lived and worked in Boulder County since the early 1900s. Mike and Mary Colacci started the Blue Parrot Restaurant in 1919 in Louisville serving coal miners and local residents. Mike maintained it until his death in 1970. Their legacy continues through five generations and 84 years of staying in business. In…

Frank B. Day has been at the helm of Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. since the opening of the first Old Chicago restaurant in Boulder in 1976. Throughout the years, he has served as the company’s chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. Day has more than 40 years of entrepreneurial experience in the…

Steve Demos is founder and president of White Wave Inc. and one of soy industry’s key strategists and visionaries. In his career, Steve has grown White Wave from a regional tofu maker to America’s leading soy foods company. Today, White Waves’ flagship Silk is the bestselling organic packaged goods brand in America. Demos, a resident…

Steve and Margaret Strong have owned and operated Sun Construction and Design Services Inc. since its inception in 1985. They believe their business is a means to promote the growth of their family, employees, church and community. They understand that the giving of their time, money and other resources is a calling that every person…

Glen and Ann Huey purchased Town and Country Disposal in 1980. In the early years their five sons assisted with the business. Three sons: Mike, Pat and Craig, along with their wives Cathy, Josie and Susan were responsible for day-to-day operations. Through the years, the Hueys guided the company through the growth that the area…

G. Raymond Joyce is a leader in Boulder area business and community activities. He was co-founder, co-owner with his father Ralph of Joyce’s Supermarkets and more recently head of Joyce Investment Company. Joyce served on the Boulder city and county open space panels, and on the boards of numerous business firms and civic organizations. He…

A 1957 graduate of the University of Colorado with a Ph.D. in physics, “Merc” Mercure helped start the Ball Brothers Research Corp., which later became Ball Aerospace. He also was a founder of Colorado Venture Management, lending his expertise to numerous Colorado-based start-ups. In 1996, he founded CDM Optics in Boulder. At CU, Mercure directed…

Juan Rodriguez has dedicated his life to engineering, manufacturing and marketing innovative computer data storage products. After designing some of the earliest tape storage products for IBM, Rodriguez went on to help found Storage Technology Corp., Exabyte Corp. and Ecrix Corp. Active in University of Colorado engineering programs, Rodriquez has dedicated time to numerous community…

Dwight Sullivan has worked to improve people’s health in Boulder County since the purchase of his first drug store in 1949. Sullivan expanded his small chain of stores to eventually include Louisville Drug, Hiway Drug in Lafayette and Francis Street Pharmacy. Sullivan served his community as a member of the Boulder County Regional Planning Commission,…

Meg Hansson is one of Colorado’s leading entrepreneurial businesswomen. A co-inventor of the Gerry Baby Carrier, she founded Gerry Baby Products, which grew to be a premier national brand for children’s products. In 1992, Hansson founded adrop LLC, a water purification company. She is a founding member of the Committee of 200, and international organization…

Arriving in Longmont in 1976, Susan Pratt, now owner and general coach of Pratt, began providing homes for small to medium-size businesses. Over time, she has helped create an environment that has provided more than 6,000 primary jobs for the St. Vrain Valley. Pratt operates one of the largest business parks in the state of…

Terry and Nancy West opened their antique and home furnishings business 20 years ago in Old Town Lafayette. Over the years it has grown to become one of the state’s largest antique furniture businesses. Terry and Nancy helped to start the Lafayette Old Town Merchant’s Association, enabling businesses to work together to strengthen the community….

Roy Young began Nature’s Own, a wholesale fossil and mineral business, in 1973 after graduating from Duke University with a degree in geology. Soon after moving his business to Boulder in 1976, he was the co-founder of Eco-Cycle. The first Nature’s Own retail store opened in Nederland in 1986. Nature’s Own now operates additional stores…

A graduate of Lafayette High School, Stan Elmore began his business career at the early age of 20. He and Lafayette business owner Wally Prather established Stan’s Tire & Auto in 1973. Stan eventually purchased all of the shares and has successfully developed the business into one of the top 10 independent auto repair facilities…

Bob Greenlee – Bob and Diane Greenlee moved to Boulder in 1975 to purchase a small radio station which was built into KBCO – one of the top rated stations in the Denver-Boulder market. In addition, Bob co-founded the Rock Bottom Restaurant Group and a number of other local ventures. He served on Boulder’s City Council…

Tom and Caroline Hoyt met and married in 1963 while architecture students at the University of Colorado. While in school, they realized they had a shared vision to build design-driven communities. They started McStain Enterprises with two partners in 1966 and have built and sold more than 4,000 homes and planned more than 20 communities…

John Sackett served as the first CEO for Avista Adventist Hospital, which opened in 1990. Building a new hospital in Louisville, Colorado was a pioneering move since most of east Boulder County was not yet developed. John served in the Louisville City Council for six years, in addition to serving as the chairman for the…

Richard Salberg, president of The First National Bank of Longmont, was born in Longmont in November, 1937, and was raised in nearby Johnstown. He is a graduate of Johnstown High School, the University of Colorado-Boulder and the Colorado Graduate School of Banking. His accomplishments include receiving the Del & Doris Scott award from the Colorado…

In 1956, Thomas Brock founded his own Longmont-based CPA firm, which, after several name changes, currently is known as Brock and Company. It grew from one office and two employees (Brock and a secretary) to a company of more than 40 full-time employees and locations in Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins and Denver. He was active…

Carol Grever Gray was for 23 years co-owner of Express Services, a local and international staffing firm. She and her former husband, Jim, started their family business in Boulder County in 1973 and were instrumental in founding the Express International franchising organization, which earned revenues of $425 million in 1994 and employed at that time…

Wayne Jurgens was a partner for nearly 50 years (1947-1996) in the business his grandfather founded, now known as Longmont Insurance Professionals. Jurgens used his experience and knowledge to author the first-ever insurance specifications for the State of Colorado and the first-ever specifications for minimum insurance requirements for county governments in the state, as well…

Rob and Carol Lathrop opened Louisville Rental Center in 1986, owning and operating it for the next 12 years (they sold it in 1998) and expanding it from two to 15 employees. In 1993, Louisville Rental Center was named Small Business of the Year the Louisville Chamber of Commerce. For the past five years, Bob…

Russel Shaffer, with his wife Ann, launched Boulder radio station KBOL-AM in 1947 and were involved with it for the 45 years until its sale in 1992. KBOL, Colorado Station of the Year in 1988, was known as a pioneer in sports broadcasting, community programming and listener participation shows. Shaffer also launched KBVL-FM in 1972,…

Steve Bosley founded the Bolder Boulder in 1979 and developed it into one of the leading 10K races in the country. In 1991, he was named Race Director of the Year by the Road Race Management Association, and throughout the years has been active with the USA Track & Field National Sports Federation and the…

William Coleman, chairman and general partner of Colorado Venture Management Inc., has been a business and civic leader since 1959. CVM has helped boost the success of numerous well-known Boulder County businesses. CVM’s successful portfolio companies have included: BI Inc., Micro Decisionware Inc., Consumer Health Services Inc., Biostar Inc., McData Corp., Hauser Chemical Research, Advanced…

Ed Lehman and his wife, Ruth, both lawyers, came to Longmont in 1957. Ed became editor and publisher of the Daily Times Call and later formed Lehman Communications Corp., which publishes three Colorado community daily newspapers. Along with the Times Call, the publications include the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald and the Canon City Daily Record. In…

Gerry and Janet Morrell, high school sweethearts who later married, opened Morrell Graphics Communications in Lafayette in 1975. Twenty years later, the company was named Business of the Year by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. When not providing printing, shipping and office services to Boulder County, the couple has been very active in the community….

The business ventures of Richard Speaker Steele, Broomfield inventor and entrepreneur, have led to the employment of hundred of individuals in Boulder County for more than 30 years. His first company, Steele Precision Manufacturing Co., grew to become Colorado Leisure Products, which incorporated many of his patented inventions and employed more than 300 people. In…

Anthony Arnett was an adventurer, traveler, gold seeker and businessman. Born in 1819 in the Alsace-Lorraine, he moved to rural Illinois as the age of 9. There he married, farmed and worked in the mercantile business. During the Gold Rush, he sailed to San Francisco – surviving a shipwreck in Chile – to seek his…

For the past 38 years, Karl Boehm and his family have brought Old World charm and gentle hospitality to the Peaceful Valley Lodge and Guest Ranch. Karl, now deceased, was born in a Tyrolean village in Austria. When the Nazis came to power, Karl was sent to Berea, Ky., where he attended school and met…

As an entrepreneur, Bob Charles has owned and operated McDonald’s franchises in Boulder County, Arvada and Westminster, with annual sales at each averaging from $1 million to $5 million. He co-designed the “Happy Meals” concepts for McDonald’s and, through implementation of his ideas, increased drive-thru capacity from 100 to 400 cars per hour. As a…

Ed Deborski and his wife Carol founded Old Style Sausage in 1972 in a small shop on Louisville’s Main Street, equipped with an old grinder, a hand sausage stuffer and Ed’s family recipe for borogies – sweet homemade dough pockets filled with sauerkraut, Italian sausage, cheese, peppers and spices. Today Old Style Sausage markets 5,000…

In 1958, Ken Hoyle was handpicked by the founders of Broomfield to be the city’s first bank president. On its first day, Broomfield Heights Bank brought in $300,000 in deposits. Over the next 27 years, through Hoyle’s retirement in 1982, the bank, which later dropped “Heights” from its name, grew to $50 million dollars in…

Brothers Leonard and the late Reino Loukonen represent the third generation of the Loukonen Bros. Stone Co. in Lyons. Founded in 1890, it is one of the oldest businesses in Boulder County. Loukonen Bros. Stone Co. has furnished stone to many businesses, including the Boulder municipal building, the University of Colorado, Interlocken Business Park, Coors…

One of only five residents of Caribou, Tom Hendricks has been president of Hendricks Mining Co. since 1974. He used the mining company to reopen and operate the Cross Gold Mine at Caribou, considered one of Colorado’s most modern, fully permitted small mine operations. Hendricks Mining Co.’s property base at Caribou consists of 36 patented…

Joseph Huddart came to Broomfield from Brush, Colo. With $10 in his pocket. In 1924 he purchased the Broomfield Lumber Company, which he operated until 1980 with his good friend and next-door neighbor Glen Mosher. Local farmers knew him for his generosity; he let them postpone their payments to him after their crops were harvested….

In 1937, Jim Kanemoto and his brother George purchased a farm and began growing produce to ship and to stock their vegetable market. During the 1950s Jim patented an irrigation dam and established Kan Manufacturing. He later founded Longmont Bowling Lanes. When IBM arrived in the Longmont area, Jim responded to the population influx by…

J.D. Long founded his family business, Long’s Gardens, roughly 90 years ago. The company began as a variety store with flower and vegetable seeds, herbs, garden tools and household supplies. J.D. later expanded into the seed business, selling by mail and soon issuing Long’s Gardens first catalog. The company soon became nationally and internationally respected…

Everett Long, the son of J.D., is a prominent Boulder County citizen who had served on many boards, including those of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Rotary Club and Town and Gown. J.D. Long founded his family business, Long’s Gardens, roughly 90 years ago. The company began as a variety store with flower…

In 1974, Karen Mulholland opened Karen’s Country Kitchen, Inc., a successful gift shop and restaurant and a Louisville tradition. Seventeen years later, she added Karen’s in the Country, a large Victorian house that is the site for weddings and parties. Karen has long donated her food and services to Boulder County events such as the…

After selling their dairy herd in 1990, Bob Beauprez and his wife bought controlling interest in then-failing Bank Seven in Lafayette. Since then, the renamed Lafayette State Bank showed the best return on assets camong banks in Colorado and has contributed to more than 23 non-profit organizations in Lafayette and Boulder County. The Beauprez family…

Virginia W. Patterson is the principal in the ownership of the Printed Page stores in the Boulder area. She and her late husband, Rev. A. B. Patterson Jr., acquired the company after he retired from St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church. Virginia was a member of the Boulder Valley School Board for 14 years and its president…

Tell and Theo Ertl purchased the Eldora Ski Area in 1967. The previous winter, Eldora had been open for 28 days. Dr. Ertl installed a snowmaking system, introduced night skiing, and built five chair lifts. By 1975, the ski area attracted 150,000 skiers, and employed as many as 200 people. In the 1970’s, Tell and…

James P. Maxwell came to Colorado in 1860. After mining and lumbering in Gilpin County, he settled in Boulder County in 1863. Maxwell served in the Territorial Legislature and the first State Senate. As a surveyor and entrepreneur, he was involved in development of the Maxwell and Mapleton Hill areas of Boulder, construction of Silver…

Kenneth E. Pratt, born and raised in Longmont, attended CSU, majoring in Economics. The Pratt Companies have developed residential communities in Longmont, as well as the Commerce Center of Longmont, consisting of approximately 1.8 million square feet, the largest business campus in the state under one ownership. The Commerce Center is home to many advanced…

Fred L. Spallone has been an important part of Broomfield since 1951 when his friend, Bal Swan, first asked him to look at the area for a new community. Fred was instrumental in the development and construction of many of the residential and commercial properties in Broomfield. His varied businesses continue to be an influence…

Brothers A. Everett and George C. Williams moved to Colorado from Ohio in 1951 to seek their fortune. Forming Williams High Country Homes, they built over 1,500 homes in Boulder and the Denver area. Now Melody Homes is one of the state’s largest builders. To finance construction, they purchased Guardian Savings and Loan in 1956…

William H. Dickens 1843-1915 – William Henry Dickens’ life began at sea, but his success was rooted firmly in land. He was born May 26, 1843 aboard ship while his parents were en route to America from England. His family originally settled in Canada and later moved to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1860, Dickens came…

Vernon V. Golden 1912-1989 – Vernon Verle Golden loved music and medicine. But it was in business where Golden really shined. Born in Longmont in 1912, Golden played the saxophone at Longmont High School and later in the Joe Cook Orchestra and in the Jitney Band. After graduating from the Colorado State University School of Veterinary…

When it came to building Boulder before the turn of the century, it took a carpenter. Andrew J. Macky was born on Nov. 1, 1834 in Herkimer County, N.Y. He was a carpenter by trade and from 1857-‘58 he was engaged in the lumbering business in Wisconsin. Upon hearing of the Pikes Peak gold rush,…

Few businesses are as closely identified with Broomfield as the one John A. TerHar helped established. TerHar was born into the third generation of a south Denver family. He graduated from South High School. TerHar worked for a Denver auto dealership for six year before purchasing a Broomfield dealership with his father-in-law, Hugo Sill in…

In the case of Edward P. Trumble, Fort Collins’ loss proved to be Boulder’s gain. Trumble was born Nov. 12, 1924. In 1949, with $1,000 borrowed from his mother, Trumble founded Leanin’ Tree Publishing in Fort Collins. He later moved the business to Boulder in 1952 in his Chevy convertible. He managed to turn it…

With her induction into the Hall of Fame, her reputation, just like her business, continues to grow. Kumiko “Kate” Yoshihara was born a twin in Los Angeles, California in 1914. Born Kumiko Tabuchi, at three months of age she was sent to live with grandparents in Japan. Her parents brought her back to the United…

Mo Siegel co-founded Celestial Seasonings Inc. in 1970. He began by gathering Rocky Mountain herbs for teas sold in hand-sewn, muslin bags. The company subsequently grew into a legend of Boulder entrepreneurship. Celestial was a pioneer in today’s multimillion-dollar herbal tea market and was once named one of the 100 best companies to work for…