Adam Krueger, CEcD
Economic Development Director
Adam is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) with more than 12 years of experience in the City of Thornton’s Economic Development department. Before becoming the Economic Development Director, Adam served as our Deputy Director, where he focused on primary development, fostering business expansion, job creation, and community advancement. Prior to coming to Thornton in March 2011, he was the Business Development Manager for a non-profit economic development organization serving northern Colorado. Adam is active in the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He also serves on the Adams County Economic Developments (ACED) board of directors and the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP) programs committee.
Adam is a graduate of Colorado State University (Go Rams!) with a degree in Communications. He lives in Thornton with his wife, Kate, and daughters, Ava and Zoe.
Contact Adam:
Direct: (303) 538-7398
Cell: (970) 222-7216
Email: adam.krueger@thorntonco.gov
Chadwick Howell, CHMM
Redevelopment Administrator
Joining us in February of 2017, Chad manages, administers, and coordinates urban renewal projects for the City of Thornton and the Thornton Development Authority (TDA). He is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, with more than 27 years of experience managing assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of properties in several states.
Chad was most recently the Economic Development Director for the City of Greeley, Colorado and was formerly the Director of Major Projects for St. Louis Development Corporation (the economic development arm of the City of St. Louis, Missouri). He also worked for nine years for the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Economic Development Office, where he managed the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Initiative, and he has seven years of environmental consulting experience.
Chad is a native of Central New York, a graduate of Western Michigan University with a BS in Environmental Studies, and currently lives in Greeley with his wife, Shayna.
Contact Chad:
Direct: (303) 538-7390
Cell: (970) 324-0250
Email: Chad.Howell@thorntonco.gov
Julie Jacoby, CEcD
Retail Administrator
A Thornton resident since 2001, Julie was pleased to join the City of Thornton’s Economic Development team in 2014. In her role as Retail Administrator, Julie oversees the retail business attraction process.
Prior to joining the City, Julie’s extensive managerial and marketing career spanned a variety of industries, including retail, development, broadcasting, hospitality, and education. Most notably, Jacoby spent eight (8) years with General Growth Properties, Inc., one of the nation’s largest retail development companies, and served as the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Commerce City. Julie is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and of the ICSC Rocky Mountain Alliance.
Julie holds degrees in Communications and Political Science from Valparaiso University. She has lived in Thornton since 2001 with her husband, Jeremy, and two daughters, Jessica and Johanna.
Contact Julie:
Direct: (303) 538-7698
Email: julie.jacoby@thorntonco.gov
Carla Courter
Executive Assistant
Carla brings over 10 years of experience with the City of Thornton, having worked in the City Manager’s office prior to joining Economic Development.
Carla enjoys spending time with her children and her two lovable dogs.
Contact Carla:
Direct: (303) 538-7605
Email: carla.courter@thorntonco.gov
Jenny Leon
Small Business Manager
Jenny joined the Economic Development team in 2014 as the Marketing and Events Administrator. In 2023, she transitioned to the Small Business Manager position where she oversees activities and services at the Alliance Business Assistance Center. She brings almost 20 years of marketing and management experience to the City of Thornton. Jenny earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Fort Hays State University and is also a licensed cosmetologist after graduating from the Paul Mitchell School of Denver.
Jenny enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and her sassy little dog, Peanut.
Contact Jenny:
Direct: (720) 674-3543
Email: jenny.leon@thorntonco.gov
Kate Bentley
Real Estate & Marketing Administrator
Kate Bentley joins the City of Thornton’s Economic Development Department as the Real Estate & Marketing Administrator. She brings a decade of experience in nonprofit development and marketing communications, most recently working in the affordable housing sector. After graduating from Texas State University with a business degree in Marketing, Kate relocated to Colorado and currently resides in the city of Thornton.
In her free time, Kate is passionate about giving back to the community by volunteering at her favorite nonprofits. She enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her two dogs.
Contact Kate:
Direct: (303) 538-7358
Email: kate.bentley@thorntonco.gov