Colorado State Archives

Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005

DENVER  -  Governor Bill Owens today announced that Marc Holtzman is assuming full-time leadership of the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology as Secretary of Technology. David Solin will serve in a dual capacity as the executive director of the International Trade Office, which Holtzman has headed since January, and as executive director of the Office of Economic Development.

"The Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology is responsible for some of my most important and ambitious initiatives - from growing Colorado's technology sector to moving Colorado government into the electronic commerce age," stated Owens. "Now, with our New Century Colorado program to modernize state government in full swing, I have asked Marc to commit his full energy to the Office of Innovation and Technology. These innovation and technology initiatives are priority number one and I have asked for Marc's undivided attention to ensure their success."

"I have asked David Solin, meanwhile, to coordinate our domestic and overseas economic development efforts by overseeing the management of the International Trade Office and the Office of Economic Development. This will ensure a streamlined and more coordinated economic development effort to best serve Colorado taxpayers and ensure smart growth for years to come," concluded Owens.

"The Governor, David and I are eager to set in place this new arrangement," stated Holtzman. "In January, when I agreed to simultaneously serve as Secretary of Technology and oversee the International Trade Office, the Office of Innovation and Technology had only three people and its mission was undefined. Now, the office has 13 employees, a team of loaned executives and consultants managing the state's information technology, overseeing Y2K, promoting technology development and modernizing state government. The Governor has laid out an ambitious agenda and we have a full plate.

"Clearly, with New Century Colorado now running at full steam, the office needs my full attention. I'm thankful for David Solin's eagerness to lead the Governor's economic development consolidation efforts. The functions and personnel of the International Trade Office will be in good hands. No additional staff changes are anticipated."

"I am honored that the Governor asked me to head up this effort. It speaks to the accomplishments that the Office of Economic Development has achieved over the past nine months, " said Solin. "Coordinating the State's domestic and overseas economic development efforts under one roof will help ensure Colorado's competitive advantage for years to come."

Holtzman and Solin serve with Cabinet rank and were appointed heads of the Governor's International Trade Office and the Governor's Office of Economic Development respectively in January. In February, Owens created the Office of Innovation and Technology and named Holtzman as head. The Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology was given statutory recognition through the passage of H.B. 99-1372 last spring. The International Trade Office will continue to be represented in the Cabinet by Solin.

Editor's Note: Marc Holtzman can be reached at (303) 892-3850. David Solin can be reached at (303) 892-3840.

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