AURORA | A local organization that lobbies the U.S. Congress on issues vital to the growth of Colorado’s economy has a new leader.
Morgan Cullen was recently named the new Executive Director of Accelerate Colorado, a coalition of businesses and local governments that advocates for pro-business policies on behalf of some of Colorado’s largest industries, such as aerospace, health care and transportation. The organization operates as an affiliate of the Aurora Economic Development Council.
“I’m really excited to be working for Wendy (Mitchell) and the rest of the staff here at the AEDC,” Cullen said. “This is a huge step up for me and it’s a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to making the most of it and accomplishing big things.”
The organization received over 75 applications for the position, according to Kat Middleton, spokeswoman for the AEDC.
Prior his new role with Accelerate Colorado, Cullen was Senior Policy Specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures and Senior Policy Advisor for former Colorado Governor Bill Owens. As a member of Owens’ cabinet, he specialized in the oversight of elections, campaign finance, redistricting and legislator management.
Wendy Mitchell, president of the AEDC, touted Cullen’s experience.
“Morgan Cullen’s public policy experience and impressive political network will create new opportunities for Accelerate Colorado and the state,” she said in a statement.
In his new role, Cullen will implement the organization’s federal policy platform and work to expand the organization’s membership base. Currently, Accelerate Colorado consists of 32 member organizations from across the state, including the City of Aurora, Arapahoe County and Adams County.
Cullen said he aims to broaden the organization’s geographic reach and bump the number of members past 100 in the coming years.
“Active participation from the Western Slope, down south, and throughout the Front Range is a big priority for us moving forward,” he said.
Another major duty for Cullen will be to lead Accelerate Colorado’s annual trip to Washington D.C., where members will meet with the Colorado congressional delegation as well as other legislative leaders to lobby on behalf of the state’s business community. This year, over 100 businessmen and women from the organization’s members will be at the nation’s capital June 9–11.
Cullen said transportation, aerospace and defense, the Marketplace Fairness Act, grant funding for the National Institutes of Health, and energy issues will top the list of priority’s for the organization’s 2015 trip.