PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release, July 26, 2007
For More Information Contact:
Glenice Bowman, Executive Assistant, 453-3402

Gary Martinez Named New County Manager

Summit County, Colorado -The wait is over. A familiar name and face will be taking over the reins as the chief administrative officer of Summit County - Gary Martinez has been appointed to the position of Summit County Manager beginning November 5, 2007.

The Board of County Commissioners have been searching for a new County Manager since the retirement of Ron Holliday and reviewed numerous applications during the past several months but had not found the right candidate until this summer. The opportunity to hire Martinez came about as the result of Gary’s frequent visits to Summit County and his continuing friendships with many long-standing community members. Informal discussions with the County Commissioners arose after they heard Martinez might be looking for a new career opportunity. Commissioner Bob French said, “One of the benefits of our small resort community is that you get to keep in touch with a lot of wonderful people who may move away but keep coming back to visit this great place. When we heard that Gary might be interested in moving back to Summit County we contacted him immediately and let him know of the exciting opportunity that was available.”

Commissioner Tom Long emphasized that “Gary Martinez is a known quantity because of his many years of public service in Summit County at the local and regional level.” He summed up the Board’s actions by adding, “He is a great guy that we all knew we could work with.”

Commissioner Thomas Davidson stated, “Gary has a fantastic amount of experience within Summit County and knowledge about our community. We know he will be able to work constructively with the Town governments, local organizations and other local government entities.” He continued, “This is a great success for Summit County. Gary’s reputation for professionalism and commitment are well known - his combination of leadership and management experience arising out of his public service and more recent private business endeavors will greatly benefit the people of Summit County.”

Martinez previously worked in Summit County for the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments from 1978 to 1985 and rose to the position of Executive Director of that six-county regional governmental organization. He then took over as Town Manager for the Town of Breckenridge in 1985 and served with distinction in that position until 2000. Martinez left Summit County in 2000 to become the Managing Partner of Eagle Ranch, LLC and oversaw the creation of a new residential community in Eagle County that will eventually contain over 1200 homes.

Martinez currently lives in the Town of Eagle and will be relocating to Summit County in the near future.
Martinez will start his employment with the County on November 5th after he completes his existing employment commitments. However, he has indicated that during the interim period he plans to start working with the County management staff to learn more about the ongoing issues being addressed by the Board of County Commissioners, including the ongoing 2008 budget process.

While at the County Courthouse on Wednesday, Martinez thanked the Board for appointing him as County Manager and stated that, “I look forward to addressing the challenges that face Summit County and exploring the opportunities we have to make our community an even better place for our residents and visitors to work and play.” Gary says he is looking forward to working with the many dedicated Summit County employees and is familiar with many people in the organization due to his prior work in the County. Gary and his wife Phyllis also noted that, “During our 22 years here we were always amazed how many people came back to Summit County after moving away. We can now certainly understand that sentiment because Summit County has always been home for us in our hearts and it is great to be coming back home.”

Martinez has been active in many local civic organizations and has served on the boards of numerous organizations and commissions including the Summit Foundation, the Snake River Health Clinic, and the Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance.

Steve Hill, who has served as Interim County Manager since Ron Holliday’s departure last winter, has been named to take over the position Assistant County Manager in November overseeing Community Services functions as well as forest health and weed control, previously manager by Sue Boyd, who resigned from County Government in May.

###