Meet The Team
Michael Martinez
President/CEO
Michael Martinez has eight-plus years of economic development experience, working in a variety of roles in workforce development, business retention, expansion, attraction, and key strategic projects previously with Denver’s Office of Economic Development. A native of Adams County, Michael possesses a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado-Denver. As the BEDC Executive Director, Michael is responsible for creating and maintaining partnerships with Brighton business owners and stakeholders in the community as well as spearheading our retail attraction and expansion efforts.
Michael has worked extensively with the Healthcare, Bioscience and Technology clusters amongst others and has vast industry knowledge and experience in creating sound, beneficial partnerships. Michael also serves as the Past President of the Colorado Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (CAHREP) and currently sits on their board of directors.
email: | phone: 303-655-2165
Patrick Giron
Assistant Director
A proud Colorado native, Patrick joined the Brighton Economic Development Corporation (Brighton EDC) in July of 2016 as Assistant Director. He leads business retention and expansion efforts for the Brighton EDC which includes entrepreneurship and innovation program development. Patrick came to the Brighton EDC after spending 13 years with the city of Denver at the Denver Office of Economic Development, most recently as Economic Development Supervisor, where he led a team of business development representatives in business retention and expansion activities for Denver and implemented many components of Denver’s annual economic development strategic plan. He also worked as a Business Analyst and Business Specialist in workforce development while in Denver.
Prior to working in Denver, Patrick was a manager in the telecommunications industry for several years with MCI Worldcom, TCI, and Rhythms NetConnections leading national deployment teams and handling high profile escalations for large business customers, among other duties. Patrick also previously worked as a Congressional Aide for U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.
Patrick has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
email: | phone: 303-655-2154
Samantha Derosier
Marketing & Economic Development Specialist
Samantha comes to us with a wide variety of marketing and business experience. Prior to joining the Brighton EDC, she started and grew the marketing department for a trades company in southern Colorado. She is well versed in holistic marketing strategy, media buying, budgeting, and project management. A graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo's AACSB Accredited Hassan School of Business, Samantha graduated Magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She strives to be a peer mentor and advocate for community collaboration and outreach. Having working in multiple industries and lived on two different continents, she is the type of person who revels in a challenge and loves being a champion for change.
As the marketing and economic development specialist with the Brighton EDC, Samantha manages our website and social media channels, creates marketing campaigns for new or existing programs, and leads outreach efforts to better involve our local business community.
email: | phone: 303-655-2020
Aaron Herrera
Redevelopment Specialist
Aaron Herrera has over seven years of experience in local government, including serving in
numerous leadership roles such as chairman of the Adams County Planning Commission and the
vice chairman of the Adams County Board of Adjustment. Aaron also served as Fort Lupton’s
assistant city administrator and economic development director. In addition to his government
experience, Aaron owned and operated a successful small business in Adams County for seven
years. Aaron holds a master’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis in politics & public
policy from the University of Colorado at Denver.
As the redevelopment specialist with the Brighton EDC, Aaron helps facilitate economic development
and redevelopment projects with a specific focus on urban renewal areas and downtown
Brighton. Aaron acts as the liaison for property owners, real estate developers and entrepreneurs
and is responsible for implementing urban renewal development projects.