Gjep staff
curtis englehart
Executive Director
curtis@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x5
Curtis Englehart is the Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, leading the organization in recruitment and expansion efforts. Originally from Delta, Curtis attended Colorado Mesa University to play baseball which has led to a career full of service, purpose, and strategic development. With over ten years of local experience creating strong community partnerships at the senior leadership level. Curtis was previously the Director of the Mesa County Workforce Center where he led an organization that focused on connecting local talent to local employers and spearheading strategic workforce programs in the region geared towards primary jobs. Curtis was also the driving force behind the Work Ready Community Initiative in Mesa County. Currently, Mesa County is the only Certified Work Ready Community in the state of Colorado, which gives us the tools to objectively map and inventory the skill level of our regional workforce. Curtis took the reigns as GJEP’s Executive Director in August of 2022 and will focus heavily on business recruitment and expansion, primary job creation and community development initiatives.
Steve Jozefczyk
Deputy Director
steve@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x4
Steve’s chief responsibility is business development. Steve supports all programs aimed toward the creation of new primary jobs, assists businesses with expansions and relocations, and serves as the point person for all data.
In 2014, Steve relocated to Grand Junction from Boulder, Colorado, after working in the outdoor recreation industry for over 10 years. Before this, Steve spent his time in Denver working in commercial and builder real estate development. Steve began his professional career as an electro-mechanical drafter in an advanced manufacturing operation in Syracuse, New York. Steve currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Council of Colorado, the Grand Valley Outdoor Rec Coalition and the Grand Valley Cleantech Business Coalition.
Steve is a native of upstate New York and received his B.S. in Industrial Technologies from Buffalo State College.
Selena Sanchez
Director of Marketing & Communications
selena@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x6
Selena Sanchez is our newest addition to the GJEP team! As GJEP’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Selena is responsible for developing and executing digital, social, and web-based marketing strategies and campaigns to attract prospective businesses, showcase the Grand Valley, and help our community thrive!
Selena is a versatile and creative marketing professional that brings her experience in nonprofit management, event planning, and fundraising to the table. Prior to joining the GJEP team, Selena supported our community as the Marketing Manager for the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce then continued to develop her professional career as a Marketing Strategist with GROWL Agency. Selena is a Grand Junction native and Colorado Mesa University alumni who is a passionate advocate for our community.
In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and painting, making jewelry, and spending time enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors!
matt bell
Business Development Manager
matt@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x3
Matt Bell joined GJEP in August 2021. As GJEP’s Business Development Manager, Matt’s primary responsibility is business recruitment. He works alongside the Deputy Director to support businesses through expansion and relocation, providing information and assistance with real estate, incentive, local government relations and industry connections.
Prior to GJEP, Matt spent nearly five years as a Sales and Marketing Representative for a power tool company. He is a CMU Alum with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management and Business Administration. In his spare time, Matt enjoys skiing, hiking and playing softball.
Karen Mahoney
Office Manager
karen@gjep.org | 970-245-4332
Karen supports GJEP’s mission of growing a healthy and diverse economy by coordinating the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of GJEP. She assists with all GJEP events and initiatives and provides staff support to the Executive Director as well as to the GJEP team.
Karen is a former local business owner in the Grand Junction area that brings her experience in small business management and event planning. Prior to joining the GJEP team, Karen started and operated a local mobile coffee company as well as starting and operating Grand Valley Food Truck Fridays. She also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Colorado National Monument Association.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, hiking, camping, teaching yoga, snowshoeing, XC skiing, and paddling on the local lakes.
