Jeff Howard named vice president for communication

The University of Colorado on Thursday announced that it has named Jeff Howard vice president for communication.

Howard will oversee communication initiatives in the Office of the President and work with the University of Colorado Board of Regents, according to a news release from the university. Howard will also collaborate with communication leaders on the four campuses and the CU Foundation. He begins the role March 21.

Howard spent the past eight years as managing partner at Gomez Howard Group, a Colorado communication and public relations firm, the release said. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Information and Reporting from Metropolitan State University of Denver and an executive master’s in sport organization management from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 in France. He has been an adjunct faculty member at MSUD and the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.

Howard replaces Ken Mcconnellogue, who has served as interim vice president for communication, since Michael Sandler resigned over the summer. Sandler, who began his duties as spokesperson for the university July 1, 2021, replaced Mcconnellogue.

A Colorado grand jury indicted a couple for reportedly carrying out an organized retail theft scheme involving The Home Depot stores, including those in Boulder County and Broomfield, and pawning or selling the stolen items.

Mario Timothy Hehr and Alexandra Gaiswinkler were indicted on charges including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, theft and conspiracy to commit theft, according to a release from the Colorado Attorney

General.

Prosecutors said Hehr would enter stores, use cutters to cut security cables from high-end tools, conceal the tools in a tote or garbage bin, and then exit the store with the tote or bin without paying for the merchandise.

Hehr would depart from the stores in a distinctive blue and white van, with Gaiswinkler serving as the getaway driver at least once.

Hehr or Gaiswinkler would then often go directly to pawn shops to sell or pawn the items.

The two targeted stores in Adams, Jefferson, Boulder, Broomfield and Weld counties.

“Colorado businesses have lost millions in inventory to sophisticated crime rings, threatening greater safety risks to retail store employees and higher prices for consumers,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement. “Working with our law enforcement partners, my office is committed to combating organized retail theft and holding criminals accountable for the harm they cause businesses, employees and consumers throughout the state.”

Hehr and Gaiswinkler are in custody at the Jefferson County Jail on $50,000 cash or surety