Raymond Gonzales hired as Director.

Raymond Gonzales

The Adams County Board of Commissioners completed the organization of a new county department today by announcing a new director has been hired. After a comprehensive review of more than 90 highly qualified applicants, the Board of Commissioners selected Raymond Gonzales of Westminster as the Neighborhood Services director.

The Neighborhood Services Department streamlines five existing county divisions and unites them under a single entity. The new department includes the Animal Shelter, the stormwater utility program, code enforcement, the building division and community development.

According to Board Chair Eva J. Henry, Neighborhood Services was formed to better address quality of life issues affecting neighborhoods throughout unincorporated Adams County. The new department also seeks to strengthen the relationship between the county government and its citizens.

“One of the primary goals of the board is to ensure all residents of Adams County enjoy a high quality of life in their respective communities,” said Henry. “Neighborhood Services will examine the social and economic issues that impact our communities and identify ways to overcome existing and future challenges. Because we need the support of our residents to be fully successful, Neighborhood Services will reach out to individual neighborhoods and build new partnerships that will enable us to work more collaboratively on initiatives that ultimately benefit the whole of Adams County.”

Gonzales brings a wealth of local, national and international experience to his new position. Gonzales previously served as the vice president of business & economic development for SOS Employment Group, where he implemented a comprehensive strategic and tactical plan for business expansion in US and Canadian markets.

Prior to working for SOS Emloyment Group, Gonzales served as assistant city manager for the city of Brighton, where he oversaw the Redevelopment, Economic Development and Community Resources office (REDCo). Gonzales also served as director of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation.

Gonzales was previously appointed deputy cabinet secretary of labor for the state of New Mexico, and served as a federal representative for the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Gonzales provided leadership, oversight, policy guidance and technical assistance for employment and training programs in a 12-state region which included Colorado.

“Raymond Gonzales is an immensely talented leader whose background and skills will greatly enhance our efforts to better serve the needs of our residents,” said Henry. “He’s a widely respected professional with expertise in community and economic development. It’s hard to imagine a better qualified candidate to lead Neighborhood Services.”

Gonzales was born and raised in Brighton, Colorado. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Regis University-School of Management in Denver.