On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Nederland Community Center, the Town of Nederland hosted a public Meet and Greet with the four remaining candidates for the open Town Administrator position. Miranda Fisher, the Current Town Administrator, resigned effective May 24, 2024.

The Town accepted 19 applications for the position, which after intensive review from the Board of Trustees (BOT) were narrowed down to four final candidates.

Andrew Bowen moved to Colorado from Wyoming in 2021, having previously worked as a Town Planner and Planning Director in North Carolina from 2014 to 2018.

Bowen, who holds a Masters of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University, an Undergraduate in Political Science and Business Administration, and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, has worked as a Senior Planner for Colorado Springs in 2021 and 2022, and for the Town of Lyons since January, 2024.

In Bowen’s cover letter he explains why he has chosen to apply for the role with the Town of Nederland despite having worked for Lyons for just a few short months.

“I truly enjoy my work with the Town of Lyons. However, Nederland is where my wife and I have decided to raise our family and establish roots,” Bowen wrote, adding that he is planning to purchase a home in Nederland “when feasible.”

“I have gained a broad understanding of local government and community issues, from community design, public outreach and trust building, to budget and personnel management,” Bowen wrote in regard to his years of experience.

“It is through this diversity of experience, that I feel I can be nimble in my leadership/assistance to the BOT, Town employees, voluntary commissions, community members, and partners in addressing complex issues.”

Bowen described his leadership style as establishing trusting relationships with Town staff so that they can be supported by their work environment to better lead in their prospective roles.

Jonathan Cain has worked and served in local government since 2016, when he started as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for Gilpin County. Cain worked as the Director of Community Relations and Engagement for Clear Creek County from 2020 to 2022, and has been working as the Assistant City Administrator for Idaho Springs since 2018.

Cain holds a Bachelors in Politics and Government from Ripon College and a Masters in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colorado Denver. He has sat on several boards and committees, including the Clear Creek County Transportation Coordination Council and Idaho Springs Chamber of Commerce, which he served as Vice President.

“My family’s roots in this region date back to 1860, and I am deeply respectful of the well-established identity and goals your community has so thoughtfully developed,” Cain wrote in his cover letter. “I believe that the Town Administrator role in Nederland would be an opportunity for me to work in a place that feels like home.”

Cain describes the work of a city administrator of a mountain community as being a “delicate balancing act” between promoting and managing the municipality as a tourist destination while also providing maintenance and enhancement of municipal services.

“This work has been done through collaboration with elected officials, residents, business owners, and city staff, fostering a vibrant, interconnected community without compromising our small-town, historic charm,” Cain wrote of his six years of work with Idaho Springs.

“I’ve successfully led critical projects like the Miner’s Street Marketplace and the Mobility Hub Mass Transit Project, boosting our economic health and community welfare,” Cain wrote.

Cain continued to list his experience, including his participation on effective councils that focus on community development, land use issues, and economic growth.

Joe Frey-Waite holds a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science: Public and Nonprofit Administration from Central Michigan University. Frey- Waite also earned his Master Citizen Planner Certificate from Michigan State University.

Frey-Waite has volunteered and served on several boards in Michigan, including on the state Local Bridge Advisory Board from 2020 to 2022, and as a committee member of the Michigan Municipal Executives from 2017 to 2021. He currently serves as a general member on the Colorado City County Managers Association.

Having worked in Planning and Zoning and Community Development across Michigan since 2017, Frey-Waite began working as a Town Administrator in 2020 for the Village of Blissfield, and then for the Township of Saugatuck in 2021 and 2022. After moving to Colorado, Frey-Waite has worked as a Management Analyst II for the City of Thornton since July, 2022.

“As your next Town Administrator my goal is to support the BOT in executing their goals for the community by providing sound counsel on the administration of the Town,” Frey-Waite wrote in his cover letter.

“My experiences have given me the skills necessary to lead the charge by supporting and building up the Town’s team so that we can all move Nederland forward.”

In his letter, Frey-Waite notes having helped to rectify a $600,000 deficit between the Village of Blissfield’s general fund and utility fund, and securing an $8.2 million USDA Loan for the expansion of a 1.1 milliongallon Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“My diverse experience in municipal management, budgeting, grant acquisition, community engagement, and strategic planning has prepared me to excel in a role that requires strong analytical skills, effective leadership, and the ability to lead positive growth within an organization,” Frey-Waite wrote.

Philip Kleisler holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver, a Masters in Geography from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science: Environmental Management and Policy from the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Kleisler also studied Rural Development at the Thammasat University in Bangkok, and Public and Nonprofit Service and Performance Management at Harvard University Extension School.

In addition to being certified by Planning for Effective Public Participation, the Congress for New Urbanism, and the American Institute of Certified Planners, Kleisler has worked as the Regional Water Consolidation Project Manager, Business Services Manager, Administrative Assistant, and Sustainability Intern for the City of Asheville, North Carolina from 2009 to 2013.

Kleisler has worked as a Planner for the Town of Estes Park and City of Loveland, as well as the Senior Planner for the City of Boulder from 2016 to 2021. He is currently employed with the City of Lafayette as their Long-Range Planning Manager and Principal Planner.

“Some believe that local government service is the same everywhere, but I think that work in Nederland is different,” Kleisler begins in his cover letter.

He describes his approach to leadership as being based on active listening and openness to new ideas while remaining committed to community values. Kleisler named the Nederland Town staff, the BOT, and the passionate community as major aspects that led him to applying for the role.

“I have been fortunate to serve a variety of community members ranging from public housing neighborhoods in Asheville, North Carolina to urban and rural residents along the Front Range,” Kleisler wrote. “Nederland’s values align with my approach to service and my personal mission statement: Empower People. Drive Innovation. Do Good.”

The four candidates were interviewed by three panels throughout Tuesday, May 14, including the BOT, Town staff, and members of Nederland’s various advisory boards, including the Planning Commission and Nederland Downtown Development Authority.

Some board members expressed that they felt confident in the abilities of the four candidates after having interviewed them, and stated that the caliber of candidates would ensure a successful transition from Fisher’s previous leadership.

After their interviews the candidates met with various members of the community and answered questions on topics ranging from downtown development, land use issues, branding campaigns, and affordable housing.

Bowen spoke with residents about the redevelopment plans for downtown from property owner Ron Mitchell and stated that the plan was ambitious. He mentioned his experience with promoting infill redevelopment in Lyons’ downtown area, and recognized the struggle of supporting infill growth that fits with the Town’s vision while also maintaining its character.

Cain addressed questions regarding working within the Town’s constrained budget and expressed that the Town should proactively prioritize impactful infrastructure projects that can be accomplished within the budget, and to seek grants when available.

As for questions of development, Cain stated the importance of the Town having updated strategic documents and municipal code related to development, and making decisions based on that foundation.

Frey-Waite spoke about having implemented branding strategies in other municipalities that he has worked for, having concluded that, whether the suggestions from the public are to implement older designs, or incorporate local nature, or to add an animal mascot, it is most important that the community feels that they are heard.

Kleisler addressed questions concerning the difficulties in achieving truly affordable housing, stating that leveraging partnerships and thinking of solutions outside the box could help to grow the Town’s housing portfolio without affecting Town staff’s workload.

Regarding downtown redevelopment, Kleisler noted his work with Lafayette to cap upward development at two stories as an example of how Nederland can obtain economic vitality and more housing without losing its charm.

A feedback form was offered to residents in attendance for the meet and greet, as the Town wanted to collect data from the community to aid in the BOT’s decision making process.

Fisher expressed her hope that the BOT will make their decision in an executive session during their next meeting, on Tuesday, May 21. A contract would then be drafted and signed before the decision will be made public. Parks Manager Nicki Dunn will be filling in as interim Town Administrator, with the position officially beginning on May 25.