Jennifer Rokala, the former state director for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, was named executive director of The Center for Western Priorities this week, the organization announced.

The nonpartisan conservation group works to protect land, water and communities in the American West with a focus on what it describes as a balanced approach to energy development and strengthening local economies in the region.

“I have spent my career working to improve the lives of Coloradans, Westerners, and all Americans,” Rokala said in a statement. “I am thrilled to continue my public service with the Center for Western Priorities. The Center will continue fighting to ensure our national public lands remain open and accessible to all, while advocating for a responsible approach to energy development that protects communities and provides long-term benefits to local economies.”

Rokala spent 15 years working for Udall, who lost a bid for a second term in the Senate last fall. Before that, she served on Gov. Roy Romer’s staff.

Saccone lands job at Keystone

Another Udall veteran, former press secretary Mike Saccone, has begun work as director of communications at the Keystone Policy Center, he announced this week.

The nonprofit organization, founded in 1975, works to foster “collaborative, problem-solving approaches” to problems involving agriculture, the environment, energy, education and public health issues. Recently, Keystone was in the news in its role as facilitator of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Oil & Gas Task Force.

Prior to working for Udall, Saccone was communications director for Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. He was a political reporter for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel before going to work for the government.

Hancock promotes Lombardi to Denver County bench

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock this week appointed Kerri Lombardi as a judge on the Denver District Court, filling a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge James B. Breese, his office announced

“Kerri has been an outstanding chief deputy district attorney, and I’m proud to elevate her expertise to the Denver County Court so that she can continue to serve the residents of Denver with the same sense of fairness and justice she brought to the DA’s office for two decades,” Hancock said in a statement.

In her position as a prosecutor, Lombardi supervises the County Court Division of the Denver District Attorney’s Office. She has worked as senior and chief deputy for the Family Violence/Crimes Against Children Unit, where she handled all felony cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence and vehicular cases involving serious bodily injury or death. She has also supervised the Denver Sobriety Court, which supervises and treats repeat drunk drivers.

“I am tremendously honored to have been appointed by the Mayor. I am very fortunate to have been able to serve the citizens of Denver for the past 20 years and am incredibly excited to continue to serve this community in a new capacity. I am truly grateful for and honored by the support I have received and for this opportunity,” Lombardi said in a statement.

The Denver native is a graduate of South High School, the University of Colorado and the University of Denver College of Law. She was a gubernatorial appointee to the Colorado Child Fatality Prevention System State review committee.

Seserman to stay on as president and CEO at JEWISHcolorado

Doug Seserman will continue as president and CEO of JEWISHcolorado, an umbrella organization devoted to supporting Colorado’s Jewish community, the group announced this week.

“I’m honored that the Board of Directors has entrusted me to continue leading this vital organization. My goal is to further strengthen JEWISHcolorado and enable the broader Colorado Jewish community to be everything it can be,” said Seserman, whose contract to run the organization has been renewed for two years with an option for another three years after that.

“We feel fortunate to have a leader with so much creative vision, commitment, and courage at the helm of our organization,” said Board of Directors Chair Amy Toltz-Miller, in a statement. “Doug achieved a number of notable accomplishments over the last 13 years, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds under his direction.”

Seserman oversaw the rebranding of the organization, which had previously been known as the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado. The Jewish Daily Forward included him last year in a list of 50 American Jews who have had the most impact on the national community. The “Forward 50” also included Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Rep. Jared Polis and actress Scarlett Johansson.

‘Guacamole’ painting wins congressional art competition

Columbine High School senior Connor Bramley won Colorado’s 1st Congressional District Art Competition with an oil painting titled “Guacamole,” U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette announced this week. The winning artwork will be displayed, along with others from throughout the country, in the U.S. Capitol.

“I am always impressed by the artwork of our high school students here in the Denver metro area,” said DeGette, a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus. She noted that the young artists involved in the competition remind her of the importance of fighting for arts education.

Denver School of the Arts student Honor Miles took first runner-up and Colorado’s Finest Alternative High School student Shawn Michaelis won second runner-up in the competition, which was open to high school students in DeGette’s district. Volunteers from the area arts community assisted judging.

Southwest Airlines is providing two round-trip tickets for Bramley to attend the art show and a reception in Washington, D.C.

Gettin’ hitched? Young’uns on the way? Tossin’ a hat in the ring? Let us know at wayposts@coloradostatesman.com