JoAnn Kalenak, Senior Blogger, DCCR — Shawn Gardner of Whitewater has been hired as Delta County’s new Planning Director. While not officially announced, planning staff confirmed the hire in a phone call after DCCR questioned the identity of a person who presented a grant proposal at this morning’s Commissioner meeting.
Gardner was hired by the County last year as it’s newest Environmental Health Director. He moved over to planning a few weeks ago in a quiet decision by County Administrator Robbie LeValley who has been acting Planning Director for the past year-plus.
According to Linkedin, Gardner served as the director of ENGAGE at Technical College of the Rockies from 2017 to 2021. Prior to his hire at Delta County, he served as the project manager for Valley Food Partnership in Montrose in conjunction with acting as the general manager at Honey Rock Landing.
Gardner’s self-described work experience: “Entrepreneurial community developer, project manager, systems transformer, and organizational leader with an MBA in International Development. Strategic thinker and culturally intelligent communicator with versatile professional and managerial skills.”
Read more on Linkedin.