Brighton City Manager Manuel Esquibel announced today the resignation of Raymond Gonzales, Brighton’s Assistant City Manager for Redevelopment, Economic Development and Community Resources Office (REDCo) and President and CEO of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). Gonzales has accepted a position as Vice President of Energy Client Services for SOS Staffing. Gonzales’ last day with the city is Feb. 10.“We are sad to see Ray leave but we wish him much success on his future endeavors,” Esquibel said. “He has been a huge asset to the city’s economic development efforts and his hard work is to be commended.”
Gonzales, a native of Brighton, returned home in September 2008 to serve as the President/CEO of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation. In August 2010, he was appointed Assistant City Manager of the newly created REDCo.
“It has been my privilege to have served the community I was born and raised in over the past four years. Not only have I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people who are dedicated to the economic prosperity of Brighton's residents, I have also had the chance to have a hand in helping to further position the city for economic sustainability,” Gonzales said. “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! At the end of the day, that's what it is all about. We currently have a team in place that includes significant community partners who are all committed to and working hard towards retaining and attracting more primary employers. The city is well positioned to continue to make strides, which makes me proud and happy as Brighton will always be my hometown. I am proud to have had the opportunity to be part of the growth and development that has occurred.”
“We are sorely going to miss Ray Gonzales at BEDC,” said James Vigesaa, chairman of BEDC Executive Board. “He has done a wonderfully terrific job over the last four years. We wish Ray well in his future endeavors. We will undertake an extensive search to find someone comparable to Ray’s abilities in order to continue the momentum that Ray has created for BEDC and maintain that well into the future. Brighton is a great place to be with a lot of potential.”
Prior to working for the City of Brighton, Gonzales served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Labor under New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson. He was charged with restructuring New Mexico’s workforce system in an effort to meet current and emerging needs of businesses and employers. Before serving as Deputy Secretary, Gonzales served as a federal representative for the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration where he provided leadership, oversight, policy guidance and technical assistance for employment and training programs. During his time there, he served as the lead for the National Business Learning Project, a national peer-to-peer mentoring project designed for workforce investment boards engaged in transformational approaches to workforce investment. He also served as a federal partner in the Denver Workforce Innovation Regional Economic Development Initiative.
From 1996-2000, Gonzales worked as a regional administrative officer with the United States Peace Corps where he assumed full responsibility of financial, budgetary, and accounting operations for a five state regional office. Gonzales began his civil service career with the Educational Opportunity Center where he worked to create post-secondary educational and training opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Adams County, Colorado.
Gonzales was born and raised in Brighton and earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Regis University. He was recently reappointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to serve on the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
