President and CEO of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO), Jeff Shaw, has resigned after 11 years as president and CEO. Shaw’s final day with PEDCO will be June 14.
Shaw has been actively involved with PEDCO for more than 25 years, including eight years of service on the Board of Directors and serving as Board Chair in 2008. He was appointed President & CEO in 2015.
During his tenure as President & CEO, PEDCO helped attract, expand, and retain roughly 2,000 primary jobs with companies that continue to do business in Pueblo. Those projects include United Launch Alliance, Coronado Stone, Vestas and Big R expansions, CR Minerals attraction and expansion, Grady’s expansion, Pewag, Evraz Steel Mill retention, TCCI/MxV Rail, Ecological Materials, Fomcore and Trussworks.
“Jeff’s professionalism, knowledge, institutional recall and ability to connect with PEDCO prospects and help them navigate complicated issues will be deeply missed,” said current PEDCO Board Chair Bob Leach. “His departure leaves a significant hole in our organization and in this community, but we are grateful for his years of service and the positive impact he has made on both PEDCO and Pueblo. We wish Jeff and his family the very best in this next chapter.”
Shaw said his time with PEDCO has been meaningful because of the people and partnerships behind the work.
“It has been an honor and privilege to be part of PEDCO and to work alongside so many great leaders in this community, both within PEDCO and across our partner organizations,” said Shaw. “The work of PEDCO depends on a strong team. I have full confidence in the PEDCO Board, staff, membership and community partners to keep current and future projects moving forward. The mission of PEDCO to attract, expand and retain primary jobs in Pueblo County will continue.”
As PEDCO prepares for this leadership transition, the Board intends to review PEDCO’s current priorities, organizational structure and opportunities to better support business attraction, expansion, retention and primary job growth in Pueblo County. This transition provides an opportunity to build on PEDCO’s decades of work while also looking ahead at how the organization can continue adapting to the needs of employers, site selectors, investors, local businesses and community partners.
PEDCO’s primary mission is advancing primary job growth and supporting economic opportunities that strengthen Pueblo’s long-term competitiveness.
“The work does not stop with a leadership change,” Leach said. “PEDCO has active projects, strong partners, and an important mission. This is a moment to honor Jeff’s contributions while also looking carefully and positively at how PEDCO can continue serving Pueblo’s business community and economic future.”