Burgess is first black to hold post as agency’s board chair
Denise Burgess took over as board chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, marking the first time in the group’s 150 years that an African-American has held the top post.
“We are committed to ensuring opportunities are available to everyone in Colorado,” Burgess told the more than 1,000 people gathered for the chamber’s annual meeting in Denver on Wednesday afternoon.
The chamber’s board this summer redefined its focus as being on people, place and prosperity. Beyond valuing diversity, the group wants to help ensure Colorado is a state where all residents can build wealth, Burgess said after taking over the spot held by Todd Munson, director of commercial banking with Vectra Bank.
Burgess’ introduction to business came through her parents, Clyde and Lucille, who started Burgess Heating and Air Conditioning. As a teenager, she worked cleanup on jobs. She did so reluctantly, at least compared with her three brothers, and seemed the least likely to take over the family business in a male-dominated industry with few minority contractors.
After moving away to California, Burgess came back and rejoined the family business in 1994 and received her cer- tificate in construction management from the University of Denver. When her father died unexpectedly in 2002, she took control and shifted the focus to construction management.
Among the projects the company has worked on during her tenure is the City and County of Denver Justice Center, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ southeastern headquarters in Miami and the Westin Hotel at Denver International Airport.
The DIA project involved $39.6 million in mechanical work, which the city counted toward its goal that 30 percent of the project’s value go to women and minority-owned enterprises. But critics charge that Burgess Services subcontracted out a majority of the work to larger firms that didn’t meet the re-
Burgess said at the time that finding minority firms able to handle the work, including its bonding requirements, was difficult and that her firm at all times bore full risk for fulfilling the contract. She said the dispute came down to a communication issue that was resolved. The city reviewed its process and made changes to its internal controls and communica- tions protocols.
Among the groups Burgess has worked with include the Denver Foundation, the City of Denver’s Construction Empowerment Initiative Task Force, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and the National Small Business Association Leadership Council.
The chamber, alongside the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, ranks as the largest and most influential group representing business interests in the state, with 3,000 members and 47 events hosted a year. But the Denquirements. ver Metro Chamber has a century more history under its belt than CACI.
“Get to know the chamber in a new way in its 150th year,” Burgess urged chamber members.
Board chairs serve a oneyear term and the position is highly coveted and competitive, said chamber president and CEO Kelly Brough.
The chamber named its first female chair, Barbara Grogan, in 1992 and has had four others hold the spot since then, including Lieutenant Gov. Donna Lynne.