Jim Whitfield - Apex Park and Colorado SDA Board

I want to earn your vote for the Arvada City Council at-large seat this November. I am passionate about continuing to serve the residents of my community. You can learn more about me at www.jim-whitfield.com

I have been an elected official for 11 years. I have an established track record of being part of great teams that have been achieving positive results for our community. These results come from strong partnerships and collaboration which incorporates active listening skills. Additionally, there are many infrastructure improvements that our city needs in the near future and my background in engineering would be an asset to City Council.

My priorities if elected

1) Thoughtful growth – We and the Denver metro area are growing rapidly. Growth is inevitable. I would like to ensure that growth in Arvada occurs with careful consideration.
2) Transportation and infrastructure – road conditions are poor in older sections of our City and although traffic congestion has increased everywhere it is an issue that needs some immediate attention. We need to improve road maintenance and road capacity.
3) Address issues related to water, smart city technology, customer service, and finance.
4) Approach challenges and opportunities with an open-mind

Learn more about how to help my campaign

My experience with Local Government

11 years of experience as an elected official with Apex. 5 years are Board President, 2 years as board Vice-President, and 2 years as Board Secretary. Apex is responsible for community based recreation in the Arvada Area.

Skills
• Listens to the community and adjust plans to meet their needs
• Collaborates with other stakeholders to reach a win-win solution
• Understands of small government budgets and funding
• Analyzes complex political and election related situations for positive results
• Ensures everything can be done internally before considering a tax increase
• Understands infrastructure and technical engineering issues.
• Understands workplace technology and social media and marketing
Results
• Refinanced bonds to save the District taxpayers over $1,000,000
• Team member that successfully passed the 1st needed mil levy increase
• Team member that successfully passed the Apex Bond renewal
• Re-negotiated intergovernmental agreements with the City of Arvada
• Negotiated the sale of Park property and the financing to build the Apex Field House with the City of Arvada
• Negotiated the new Jefferson County policy to have property deeded to Special Districts with Jefferson County Government
• Negotiated the exchange of water rights and water usage with the City of Arvada.
My experience with State Government

4 years of experience on the Colorado Special District Association (SDA) Board. 3 years as board secretary. SDA provides oversight for all special districts in Colorado including Metro (i.e. Highlands Ranch), Fire , Water and Sanitation , Developer, Parks and Recreation , and Ambulance Districts. SDA also acts as a resource to the State House and Senate on legislative issues relevant to Special Districts.

Skills learned or had
• Understands how the various Colorado governmental agencies interact
• Understands how various Special Districts operate and their key metrics
• Experiences how efficient and effective government agencies work.
Results
• SDA supports and works to see the first Colorado Water Plan finalized
• SDA supports and works to pass HB15-1348 that provides County, School District, and Special Districts a seat at the Urban renewal table
• SDA supports and works to pass state amendment 71 that raises the bar to get changes to our state constitution on the election ballot
My experience with our Community

Recently I have been on the Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board, the Arvada Vitality Alliance Board, the Arvada Community Food Bank Foundation Board, and the Arvada Economic Development Association Board. I attended the Metro North Chamber Leadership in 2010. I coached youth and competitive soccer from 2001 to 2010 at the Arvada Soccer Association and youth hockey at the Arvada Hockey Association. I have been both a church and school volunteer while both growing up and raising a family in Arvada.

Skills learned or had
• Understanding how vital agencies that support are to our community
• The ability to see how non-profits operate and how fundraisers are coordinated.
Results
• Created and operated fundraisers for local school organizations
• Created and operated fundraisers for the Apex PRD Foundation
• Helped with Arvada Vitality Alliance fundraising activities
• Assisted with the formation and fundraising for the ACFB Foundation
My experience at work

I am a managing director for a workplace technology company that has been based in Arvada since 1984. I have been a part owner of the firm since 2006. I am responsible for some of our company’s key customers, suppliers, information technology, marketing, and technical support and operations. We used to just sell wire and phones and now we sell workplace technology solutions. I have helped our company make that transition. I have both sales and technical certifications.

Skills learned or had
• Managing and Leading
• Budgeting and Selling
• The basics and fundamentals of good customer Service
Results
• Retained key accounts
• Acquired new key accounts
• Expanded solutions beyond just wire and phones to workplace technology