Candidate for State Representative, HD3: Sam Cassidy
Biography
Sam Cassidy has practiced and taught business law for 33 years. He owned a title insurance company for ten years and a real estate development company for ten years. In his early 40’s he was elected to the Colorado Senate where he rose to the position of Minority Leader after serving two years and was appointed Lt. Governor after four years. During his tenure as Minority Leader of the Senate the number of Democrats increased for 12 to 16, 2 short of a majority. He was President and Chairman of the Economic Developers Council of Colorado and President and CEO of Jefferson Economic Council until hired as President and CEO of the State Chamber of Commerce in 1997. Board development (bringing CEO’s back to the boards) was an important focus in both positions. In 2000 he began teaching full time for the Daniels College of Business, University of Denver. He was appointed to serve as the first Chairman of the Department of Business Ethics and Legal Studies, Daniels College of Business. During his tenure as Department Chair, the College, ranked in the top 50 business schools, was also ranked by the Wall Street Journal in the top five schools worldwide for Ethics education. Professor Cassidy designs and teaches courses in business leadership skills, ethics, and business law for undergraduate and MBA students. To foster a more relevant experience for students, he developed and manages a speakers series in partnership with the business community, bringing to Denver business leaders such as Jack Welch, Norm Augustine, and Charles Knight. He also serves as General Counsel and Board Chair of Zettalogica LLT.
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
University of Denver, Department Chair 2003-2006
Sam Cassidy Inc. President 1977-2003
President and CEO - Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (Colorado’s state chamber of commerce), 1997 – 2000
Lieutenant Governor of Colorado 1994 - 1995; initiated and led efforts with Governor Romer to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure in Colorado.
Arbitrator for American Arbitration Association, 1995 - 1996
Senate Minority Leader of the Colorado Legislature, 1993 – 1994
President Economic Developers Council of Colorado 1997-1998
Owner of High Country Title Insurance Co. 1985- 1989
Owner of private law practice 1975- 1994
BOARD EXPERIENCE
Zettalogica LLC: Board chair of startup company in the computer hardware and software business.
Cherry Hills III Property Owners Association: board member and Chair 2003-6
DanielsCollege of Business: Governing Board, 2003-6
Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry: Board member executive committee, 1997-2000
Economic Development Council of Colorado: board member, vice Chair and Chair from 1996-1999
Arts Communication Inc.: First Board Chair 1995-2000
Colorado Judicial Institute ADR Coalition, 1994 – 1999
High Country Title Insurance Company: Chairman of the board 1984-94
Commission on Indian Affairs: Chairman during tenure as Lt. Governor.
Aerospace States Association: Board of Directors, 1994-1995. Promotes space exploration and education on a national level.
Jefferson Economic Council: Board of Directors (and President) 1996-97
Rocky Flats Local Impact Initiative: Board of Directors 1996-97
Executive Committee of Colorado General Assembly: 1992-94 (six legislators from the two houses comprise the governing board of the legislature.
Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors: 1992-94
San Juan Forum: Chairman of the Board, 1991-94
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District: Board Chair 1988-91
LeadershipJeffersonCounty, Board of Directors, 1995 - 1997
Jefferson County School-to-Careers, Board of Directors, 1996 - 1997
FoothillsArtCenter, Board of Directors, 1997 – 1999
Colorado Mathematics & Science Education Coalition Board of Directors 1999- 2000
Board of Advisors Colorado Student Association 1998-2000
Vail Leadership Institute Advisory Board 2004- 6
American India Chamber of Commerce- Board of Directors 2005-present
Commission to Strengthen PERA, 2005
The West Chamber, Board of Directors, 1996 - 1997
Metro Denver Network, Board of Governors, 1996 – 2000
Engineering and Applied Science Advisory Board, University of Colorado, 1996 – 2000
See also board work under “Elected Public Offices”
PUBLIC OFFICES
Lt. Governor of Colorado 1994
State Senator, Colorado, 1991 – 1994 (6th District) representing Archuleta, LaPlata, Delta, Dolores, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel counties
Minority Leader of the Colorado Senate 1993-1994
Legislative work included service on:
Executive Committee, 1993 - 1994; Legislative Council, 1993 -1994; Judiciary Committee, 1992 - 1993; Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, 1991 - 1992; Senate Services, 1992 – 1993; Highway Legislative Review Committee, 1991 - 1992; Natural Hazards Mitigation Council, 1993 - 1994; Board of Assessment Appeals Advisory Task Force, 1991 - 1992; National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on State - Tribal Relations, 1991 - 1993; Western Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 1993 - 1994; Aerospace States Association, 1994-95; and American Legislative Exchange Council, 1993 – 1994.
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, 1975, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
BA, 1972, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Fellowship from the Gates Foundation to study at HarvardUniversity, Kennedy School of Government, (Senior Executive Leadership)
Senior Fellow, University of Denver
Aspen Institute Executive Seminar
HONORS
Colorado Bankers Association: Outstanding Legislator Award for 1991
Outstanding Legislative Efforts Award from Colorado Counties, 1992, 1993
Gates Foundation Fellowship to HarvardUniversityKennedySchool of Government, 1991
Geologic Heritage Award for Legislators, 1994
Legislator of the Year, American Civil Liberties Union, 1994
Trailblazer of the Year, Colorado Rural Development Council, 1999
Diamond Award for Teaching Excellence from Daniel’s School of Business, University of Denver, Fall 1999, Fall 2000, Winter 2000, Winter 2001, Winter 2002 (award discontinued)
Colorado PrivateSchool Association, Student of the Year , 1994
ColoradoCommunity College and Occupational Education System Appreciation Award
1994
Honorary Kentucky Colonel, 1999
Denver Business Journal top 100 Business Leaders, 1999, 2003, 2004
John D. Hershner Free Enterprise Award from DanielsCollege of Business 2005
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