(Posted March 9, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Brian Vogt, chief executive officer of the Denver Botanic Gardens and a former cabinet-level economic development officer for the state of Colorado, will speak at Juniata College on "The Inadequacy of Hope: Intentional Leadership for a Chaotic Time" at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 17 in Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science on the Juniata campus,

The talk is free and open to the public.

Vogt, who speaks on community leadership throughout the United States, has been CEO of the Botanic Gardens since 2007. Since joining the organization, he has organized and led a capital campaign.

Before leaving for the private sector, Vogt was director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade from 2003 to 2007. In this cabinet-level position, he managed such economic development agencies as the Colorado Tourism Office, the Colorado Council on the Arts and the Colorado Economic Development Commission. He also oversaw statewide programs in domestic and international business development and small business programs.

Among other political accomplishments, Vogt also led a statewide initiative on branding Colorado and created the Advance Colorado Center. He also initiated a statewide communications system.

Vogt also took on other governmental jobs during his term as director, serving as a member of the Governor's Commission on Science and Technology, the Colorado Economic Development Commission and the Financial Review Committee. In addition, he also was named executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and spent a year as Acting Secretary of Technology.

He also was deeply involved in local developmental groups such as the Greater Littleton Youth Initiative, the Alliance for Quality Teaching and the Colorado Educational Alignment Council. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for Littleton Hospital and served on the Denver Foundation's Arts and Culture Committee,

Vogt earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Colorado. From 1990 to 2004 he was president of the South Metro Chamber of Commerce. From 1986 to 1990 he served as vice president for economic development at the same organization.


Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.