Board of Directors - National Western Center

Board of Directors

The National Western Center Authority is a Colorado nonprofit that will program, operate and maintain the campus. The actions of the Authority are guided by a 13-person board of directors.

Voting board members include: nine mayoral appointees, which include two voting Globeville, Elyria or Swansea residents. Our partners at Colorado State University and the National Western Stock Show appoint two representatives respectively. The city’s chief financial officer serves as treasurer of the board and is a non-voting member. The board meets on the third Thursday of every month.

Inquire about becoming a mayor-appointed board member by visiting Denver’s boards and commissions page.

With questions or to request board materials, contact Alexi Palazzari  a.palazzari@nationalwesterncenter.com

MEETINGS

The full board generally meets on the third Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. Meetings are subject to change.

Visit our calendar to view all upcoming meetings of the board and its committees.

BOARD MEMBERS

CEO, FIRSTBANK (RETIRED)

John Ikard, Chair

CHAIRMAN AND CEO, ALÉM INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Steven McCarthy, Vice Chair

Community Representative

Caroline Acha

PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW AND COMPLEX

Paul Andrews

PRESIDENT, THE DENVER RETAIL GROUP

Robb Brown

Chief Financial Officer, the City and County of Denver

Nicole Doheny

CHANCELLOR, CSU SYSTEM

Dr. Tony Frank

Supplier Diversity Program Manager, PCL Construction Services Inc.

Diedra Garcia

ernest house jr

Senior policy director, Keystone Policy Center

Ernest House, Jr.

doug jones board member

CHAIR, WESTERN STOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION BOARD

Doug Jones

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OAKWOOD HOMES

Kelly Leid

bill-mosher

Senior managing director, Trammell Crow

Bill Mosher

Community representative

Sandra Ruiz Parilla

BOARD RECORDS and COMMITTEES

Toggle Accordion

AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

See description and board leadership above.

Board Minutes (PDF)

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Toggle Accordion

CAMPUS SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE

Generally meets the third Thursday of the month at 8 a.m. Meetings are subject to change.

Evaluates potential campus partnerships and services, and advises campus partners and the Authority CEO of such opportunities. 

Chair: Robb Brown
Members: Kelly Leid, Paul Andrews, Steve McCarthy, Bill Mosher

With questions or to request board materials, contact Alexi Palazzari  a.palazzari@nationalwesterncenter.com

Meeting Agendas:

2025

2024

2023

2022:

Toggle Accordion

COMMUNITY BENEFITS COMMITTEE

Generally meets every other Wednesday at 4pm. Meetings are subject to change.

Leads discussion and exploration of community investment opportunities and potential community prospects and may work toward a community benefits agreement. 

Chair: Ernest House
Members: Sandra Ruiz

View the community benefits guiding principles (PDF), adopted in 2019.

With questions or to request board materials, contact Alexi Palazzari  a.palazzari@nationalwesterncenter.com

Meeting Agendas:

2025 – *Please note – meetings have moved to every other month

  • January — Cancelled
  • February 12, 2025 – Agenda
  • April 9, 2025 – Agenda 

2024

  • January 2024 – Cancelled
  • February 14, 2024 – Agenda
  • March 13, 2024 – Agenda
  • April 10, 2024 – Agenda 
  • May 8, 2024 – Agenda
  • June 12, 2024 – Agenda
  • July 10, 2024 – Agenda 
  • August – cancelled
  • September 11, 2024 – Agenda
  • October 9, 2024 – Agenda
  • December 11, 2024 – Agenda (moved meetings to every other month)

2023

2022

Toggle Accordion

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

Generally meets the third Monday of the month at 1 p.m. Meetings are subject to change.

Follows the requirements of the National Western Center’s Framework Agreement with respect to budgeting, audit, and financial matters, and performs related duties.

Chair: Nicole Doheny
Members: John Ikard, Tony Frank, Doug Jones

With questions or to request board materials, contact Alexi Palazzari  a.palazzari@nationalwesterncenter.com

Meeting Agendas:

2025:

  • January 2025 – Cancelled
  • February 18, 2025 – Agenda
  • March 17, 2025 – Agenda
  • April 14, 2025 – Agenda 
  • May 12, 2025 – Agenda

2024:

2023:

2022:

Who We Are Crowd cheering
The National Western Center Gloves tending to the crops

Internet Explorer versions 8 and 7 are currently not supported by this website.