Preston Gibson
President and CEO

Preston Gibson is responsible for directing all activities of the organization, whose mission is to strengthen the economic vitality of Jefferson County by retaining, expanding, and attracting primary employment.   He has an extensive background in public and private land planning, and consulting. He is past President of the Building Industry Association in Riverside County, California, and he served on the Colorado’s nanotechnology task force. He is currently a member of the Red Rocks Community College Advisory Committee, the Jefferson County Workforce Center Board of Directors, the Regional Transportation Committee of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Colorado Lending Source Board of Directors, CO-LABS Board of Directors, and is a co-chair of the Colorado Economic Leadership Coalition. Prior to joining JEC he was Planning and Engineering Manager for Jefferson County, Colorado, and he holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.

e-mail: pgibson@jeffco.org

Michelle Claymore
Vice President

Michelle Claymore joined JEC in February of 1995. She is responsible for working with businesses that are potentially moving to or expanding in Jefferson County. Michelle is also responsible for activities designed to attract businesses to the County. She earned a CEcD designation–Certified Economic Developer–from the International Economic Development Council. Prior to JEC, Michelle worked for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for six years. She is a Denver native and received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing, from Colorado State University.

e-mail: mclaymore@jeffco.org

Leigh Seeger
Economic Development Specialist

Leigh Seeger joined JEC in August of 2007. She is responsible for the real estate database, business retention, and gathering economic statistics. Before coming to JEC, Leigh worked at Fieldwork Denver assisting in market research. She has experience in business development and creating economic reports. Leigh graduated from Colorado State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and currently lives in Denver.

e-mail: lseeger@jeffco.org

Michelle Friends
Marketing Specialist

Michelle Friends joined JEC in July of 2008. She is responsible for marketing including investor relations. Before coming to the JEC, Michelle worked at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as a Program and Events Specialist. She is originally from Arizona, but completed both of her degrees here in Colorado. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Metro State College of Denver, and recently completed her Master's of Professional Studies in Applied Communication with a concentration in PR and Marketing at the University of Denver.  

e-mail: mfriends@jeffco.org

Marty Topping
Marketing & Technology Consultant

Marty Topping joined JEC in March of 2003. He is responsible for JEC's marketing areas and initiatives, such as publications, advertising, and special event promotion. In addition, Marty develops and maintains JEC's website and also coordinates technology planning and implementation for the organization. Prior to joining JEC, Marty served five years as a US Air Force officer, then went on to start his own software business. He teaches part time at Red Rocks Community College and serves in a number of groups including the Leadership Jefferson County Steering Committee, the Career Advisory Council, and the Kiwanis Club of Denver West. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the US Air Force Academy in 1995 and his Master of Science degree from University of Idaho in 1998, both in Human Factors Engineering.

e-mail: mtopping@jeffco.org

Marc Griffith
Office/Finance Manager

Marc joined the JEC staff February of 2006. He is responsible for reconciliation and management of all financial information, maintenance records for Investors and vendors and also provides support on the Enterprise Zone, as well as the administration of issues related to Human Resources. Marc moved to Colorado from Anchorage, Alaska where he worked for the premier telecommunications provider for the state. While there, he worked in Office Administration, Accounting, and Human Resources for over twenty years helping to integrate cities all over the state with the central hub in Anchorage. Marc is originally from Texas where his family has been for more than four generations and now is making Denver, Colorado his new home.

e-mail: mgriffith@jeffco.org

Lisa Harper
Administrative Assistant

Lisa joined JEC in June 2008. She is responsible for the day to day operations. Prior to joining JEC, Lisa worked in the healthcare field. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Lisa moved from Atlanta, Georgia and currently lives in Evergreen, Colorado.

e-mail: lharper@jeffco.org