Former CU Regent Joe Neguse was named director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies by Gov. John Hickenlooper this week, the governor’s office announced. He takes over for Barbara Kelley, who has led DORA since 2009. He starts work on June 1.

Neguse, an attorney with Holland & Hart, the state’s largest law firm, was the Democratic nominee for secretary of state last year but lost to Republican Wayne Williams.

“Joe’s experience as an attorney, civic leader and public servant will be an invaluable asset to DORA,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Our business friendly environment is an essential part of Colorado’s economic success, and Joe will champion that effort to further grow our vibrant business community and protect consumers.”

Neguse has a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Colorado, where he graduated summa cum laude and was student body president. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado Law School and was class president there as well. Prior to his election to the CU Board of Regents, he was appointed as a commissioner on the Boulder Housing Authority. He has been named the Colorado Democratic Party’s Rising Star twice at the party’s Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner.

“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to be part of Gov. Hickenlooper’s administration and look forward to continuing DORA’s important work in creating a fair and competitive business environment and reducing regulatory burdens for businesses and consumers alike,” said Neguse.

DORA handles regulations and licensing for a range of state authorities, including insurance, real estate, securities, professions and occupations, banking and financial services. It includes the state’s Civil Rights Division, Office of Consumer Counsel and the Public Utilities Commission.

Kelley was appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter and reappointed by Hickenlooper.

“Barbara was instrumental in amending and cutting thousands of unnecessary rules and regulations for businesses across the state, creating a pro-business environment that has been a building block for growing our economy,” said Hickenlooper. “We are indebted to Barbara for her service and know she will continue to be successful in her future role.”

Cecilia Flores passes

Cecilia Flores, a longtime Democratic activist, died on May 10.

She was born in 1949 in Pueblo and moved to Denver in 1973 after earning a degree in political science from Southern Colorado State College. She retired in 1998 from the Small Business Administration.

A nearly constant presence at Democratic Party and campaign events, Flores was House District 5B captain and a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. She was honored with the Denver Democratic Party’s Frank Sullivan Lifetime Achievement award in 2012, served as secretary of the State Latino Initiative and was awarded the organization’s Cesar Chavez Leadership Award in 2014.

A Rosary was held May 14 at the Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church, 10:30 Catholic Community, in Denver, and a memorial service is set for 4 p.m. on May 15 at the church. Her family is suggesting donations to the Tim Flores and Cecilia Flores Scholarship Fund, 2757 W 37th Ave., Denver, Co. 80211.

Garnetts, plenty of other politicos expecting

State Rep. Alex Garnett and his wife, Emily, are expecting a baby in October, the Denver Democrat announced this week.The newborn will have plenty of company under the Gold Dome and in Colorado political circles.

The Denver Post’s Lynn Bartels rounded up expectant parents in a recent entry on the paper’s Spot blog. Among the other proud parents-to-be are state Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, and his wife, Heather, expecting a girl this month; state Rep. Dan Norberg, R-Colorado Springs, and his wife, Maura, also expecting a girl this month; state Rep. Jon Keyser, R-Morrison, and his wife, Emma, expecting a boy on Labor Day; state Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and his wife, Allison Barrett, expecting a girl in September; Chief Deputy Attorney General David Blake and his fiancé, attorney Melissa Kuipers, expecting a girl in June; and Americans for Prosperity regional director Dustin Zvonek and his wife, Stephanie, expecting a boy in July.

Boyd joins Denver DA race

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Boyd filed paperwork to run for the office of Denver district attorney this week, joining CU Regent Michael Carrigan and state Rep. Beth McCann in the race to replace term-limited DA Mitch Morrissey.

“I am running for Denver District Attorney because I believe public safety is essential to building a great city,” Boyd said in a statement. “As our city changes and grows, we need to apply a thoughtful approach to fighting crime. We, as prosecutors, have the expertise required to be the agents for positive change within the criminal justice system. As district attorney, I will lead the change that will ensure greater transparency in our process and strengthen faith in our system of justice.”

Boyd works in the DA office’s Economic Crime Unit, specializing in the prosecution of white collar and organized crime cases. He’s also the lead Denver prosecutor assigned to the Metro Auto Theft Task Force. The career prosecutor was previously assigned to county court, juvenile court, district court and Denver’s drug court. He worked in the District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit, prosecuting cases involving domestic violence and aggravated crimes against children.

The candidate is a Colorado native and a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and Colorado State University.

His uncle, former Gov. Bill Ritter, was Denver’s district attorney before Morrissey.

“I have known Kenneth for his entire life,” Ritter said. “And I know something about the demands and challenges of being the district attorney of Denver. Without doubt, Kenneth has the energy, the vision and the talent to serve as Denver’s next district attorney.”

“Kenneth Boyd is a rising star in our office and the legal community,” Morrissey said. “He has consistently demonstrated the type of leadership it takes to make the tough decisions of an elected district attorney. During his time in my office, I have entrusted him with some of the toughest assignments, and he has consistently delivered justice for the most vulnerable victims in Denver. I have no doubt that the City and County of Denver would be well served by his experience and dedication to serving the ends of justice.”

Pearlman to head Mizel Institute

Melanie Pearlman, executive director of the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (the CELL), has been named president of the Mizel Institute, the organization’s founder, Larry Mizel, announced this week. The Institute oversees the Mizel Museum and the CELL.

Pearlman has run the CELL for seven years, steering it from a local exhibit into a nationally recognized institution.

“Melanie brings a wealth of experience to her new position, which will allow the Institute to not only broaden its reach, but increase its effectiveness in fulfilling its shared mission of providing experiential learning through cultural and educational programming,” Mizel said in a statement. He added that the community should benefit from unified leadership over the Institute’s operations.

Dvorchak to head National Juvenile Defender Center

Kim Dvorchak, executive director of the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, has been appointed to head the Washington-based National Juvenile Defender, a nonprofit organization promoting justice for children by working for excellence in juvenile defense. The organization provides training, technical assistance and leadership development for juvenile defense attorneys.

“I am so excited to take over NJDC and help the juvenile defense community build on the solid foundation that has been laid over the last decade,” Dvorchak said in a statement. “The remarkable NJDC staff working in concert with the board of directors, the directors of the regional centers, and colleagues and stakeholders from across the nation will unquestionably continue to draw attention and focus to the critical issues of access to counsel for youth.”

She was named a Colorado Woman of Influence by the Denver Post in 2013 and co-founded the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center in 2010. Before that, she was in private practice and later served as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division in New York and as a Deputy State Public Defender in Colorado Springs.

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