Gjep staff

Robin Brown

Executive Director

Robin joined GJEP in December 2017 and has been committed to the economic growth and vitality of Colorado’s Grand Valley for over a decade. Robin previously worked as the Event Management Director for the Grand Junction Business Improvement District and led a $9 million fundraising campaign for The Historic Avalon Theatre in downtown Grand Junction. She was the founder of Spoke+Blossom lifestyle magazine and owned a local public relations agency.

Robin writes a column for The Daily Sentinel and is a regular speaker at community events. She has also participated on numerous boards across the Valley, including the Western Colorado Community Foundation and the Grand Junction Regional Airport Alliance.

Robin is a U.S. Army veteran relocated to the Grand Valley from Oregon. She lives in Grand Junction with her husband and two children.

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.

Steve relocated to Grand Junction from Boulder after working with outdoor industry company SCARPA North America, where he managed the pro and direct sales department throughout US and Canada. Before this, Steve was with Land Title Guarantee Company in Denver, assisting seven top commercial and builder real estate representatives with client support and real estate research.

Steve is a native of upstate New York, where he worked as an electro/mechanical drafter for a cryogenic refrigeration manufacturer. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technologies from Buffalo State College.

Mara hardy

Business Development Manager

mara@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x3

At GJEP, Mara supports businesses that want to relocate to the Grand Valley. Her primary focus is on the tech, aerospace, and healthcare industries. Mara relocated from Denver where she had started her own consulting company, Inland Planning, to help communities implement their own initiatives and plans.

Prior to consulting, Mara worked at the Colorado Water Conservation Board. There, she directed TAP-IN Colorado – a program to connect the entrepreneurial and water sectors, oversaw the public outreach, education, and engagement efforts, and managed marketing and communications. Previously, Mara worked at the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. She received her Master of Urban and Regional Planning at CU Denver and her B.A. in Environmental Studies at CU Boulder.

Growing up in Colorado, Mara spent time exploring the outdoors and developing an appetite for adventure. So, the Grand Valley is the perfect place for her to call home.

micah adams

Real Estate Development Manager

micah@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x7

Micah works with developers and businesses to navigate the real estate market in Colorado’s Grand Valley, including Riverfront at Las Colonias Park and our six other Opportunity Zone tracts. He is our primary resource for real estate market trends, fees, and zoning and permitting issues.

Micah joined GJEP from FCI Constructors, where he was part of a project management team that oversaw construction of large commercial buildings. A Maverick alum, Micah holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, as well as Associate’s degrees in Construction Technology and Computer Aided Drafting.

Micah lived in Evergreen before attending Colorado Mesa University. He serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County and enjoys the outdoors, sports and community.

cilia kohn

Director of Marketing & Communications

cilia@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x5

Cilia is responsible for marketing the Grand Valley regionally and nationally. Cilia joined GJEP from Development Counsellors International, a place marketing agency, where she worked with economic development organizations for large metros like Houston, Texas, to smaller, rural places, like Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Cilia’s past work experience spans from fashion public relations to public affairs at the American Water Works Association, lead generation marketing for Regis University and business development for UK Trade & Investment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing communications, and a Master of Science from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

A Swedish transplant, by way of New York City and Denver, Cilia enjoys hiking, camping and exploring new towns with her husband and two children.

nicole troester

Fundraising & Events Coordinator

nicole@gjep.org | 970.245.4332 x6

As the Fundraising & Events Coordinator, Nicole manages investor relations, benefits and fundraising at GJEP. She is responsible for organizing GJEP hosted events and the annual Western Colorado Economic Summit. In addition, Nicole coordinates internal office systems to support the GJEP team.

Nicole was born and raised in Grand Junction and has great passion for her community. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources. She serves on the United Way of Mesa County Board, the Blood Brothers Foundation Board, and Alpha Sigma Alpha’s National Alumnae Engagement Coaching Team. Nicole also coordinates Gate Check and Security for the annual Junior College World Series.