Donald J.
Mares
BiographyOn December 28, 2006, Governor Bill Ritter
appointed Don Mares to his cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado
Department of Labor and Employment. The Department of Labor and
Employment provides job seekers with employment and training
opportunities, monitors the state’s economy, oversees Colorado’s labor
laws and administers the Unemployment Insurance program and the Workers’
Compensation Act.
As executive director of the 1100-person agency,
Mares oversees the divisions of Labor, Employment & Training, Workers’
Compensation and Oil & Public Safety.
Prior to his appointment to Governor Ritter’s
cabinet, from 2003 to 2006 Mares served as special counsel with
Fleishman & Shapiro, P.C. In this role, Mares concentrated on business
law, government relations and litigation. He provided general legal
guidance, representation and counsel to small and large businesses,
including general management and operations advice.
With nearly 15 years of experience in elected
office, Mares has taken the reigns in issues of education, health care,
disability rights, employment and workforce development.
His elected office positions include two terms as
Denver Auditor from 1995 to 2003 and Colorado State Senator and
Representative from 1989 to 1995.
During his tenure as Denver Auditor - the second
highest elected position in the City and County of Denver – Mares made
significant technological advancements which included implementation of
a citywide accounting and financial reporting system, the creation of
the City’s first Internet homepage and electronic family support wage
garnishment.
Mr. Mares currently serves on the leadership
council for Escuela de Guadalupe, the board of the Latin American
Educational Foundation, the Wells Center Board of Directors, the State’s
Government Efficiency Management Executive Committee and the SafeHouse
Denver Board of Directors. In 2005, he was named one of 20 Champions
for Children by the Colorado Children’s Campaign during the group’s 20th
Anniversary celebration. He formerly served as an elected member of the
Colorado Personnel Board.
Mares has received numerous awards for his work as
an elected leader, including the Junior League Legislative Champion for
Children award (1996), Labor’s Community Agency’s Community Service
Award (1999), the Mental Health Corporation of Denver Outstanding
Political Figure award (1995), and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s
Government Advocate of the Year award (2000). In 2005, he was named one
of 20 Champions for Children by the Colorado Children’s Campaign during
the group’s 20th Anniversary celebration.
Mares earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology,
with honors, from Stanford University in 1979 and his law degree from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1982.
A Denver native, Mares and his wife Ruth live on
the north side of Sloan Lake with their three children, Melissa, D.J.
and Emily.
|
