James Mejia
Encyclopedia
James Mejía is a Denver politician and candidate in the City's 2011 Mayoral Election. Mejía announced his candidacy to become the mayor of Denver in June 2010, succeeding Governor John Hickenlooper
.
Mejía worked for Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation served as the Founding Chief Executive Officer for the Denver Preschool Program. Mejía is a Denver native, currently residing in the West Wash Park Neighborhood with his wife and three children.
in Denver for 37 years, and his mother was an early childhood educator in their Park Hill Neighborhood.
Mejía received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame
in 1989. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University
in 1992 and complete his Master of Public Policy degree in 2004 from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University
.
James announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Denver in June 2010, when then-mayor, now current Governor, John Hickenlooper
decided to pursue the governor’s office.
Mejía is currently on leave from the Denver Preschool Program where he is the Founding Chief Executive Officer, having been appointed in 2007. Under Mejia’s leadership, DPP has helped send more than 15,000 Denver children to quality preschool programs by providing over $23 million to help Denver families afford this essential early childhood education.
In September 2004, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper appointed Mejía as the Project Manager of the Denver Justice Center. The Denver Justice Center consists of a 35-courtroom courthouse, a 1,500-bed detention center, a United States Post Office and a new parking garage. Under Mejía’s management the project achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) designation.
Mejía was appointed by Mayor Wellington Webb
to his cabinet as Manager of Denver’s Parks and Recreation in June 2001.
Board of Education as an At-Large Member Mejía served on the DPS Board of Education from 1999-2003. In 1996 Mejía was recruited by Mayor Webb as the Executive Director of the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations. Mejía was the Executive Director of Denver’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 1995–1996 and previously worked as a Trade Specialist in the Colorado International Trade Office.
. Mejía and Riley have three girls: Moya, Alexandra, and Riley. Mejía and Riley share a passion for running. As of March 2011 Mejía has completed 50 marathons and Riley has completed 26.
John Hickenlooper
John Wright Hickenlooper is an American politician and current Governor of Colorado. A Democrat, he was previously the Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.-Early life, education and career:...
.
Mejía worked for Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation served as the Founding Chief Executive Officer for the Denver Preschool Program. Mejía is a Denver native, currently residing in the West Wash Park Neighborhood with his wife and three children.
Education
James Mejia was born February 15, 1967 in Denver and was raised in Park Hill. He attended Park Hill Elementary, Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Gove Junior High School. Mejía graduated from Denver’s East High School in 1985. His father taught at West High SchoolWest High School (Denver)
West High School is a high school located in Denver, Colorado. It is part of the Denver Public Schools System. West High School is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of the original section of West Denver.-Demographics:...
in Denver for 37 years, and his mother was an early childhood educator in their Park Hill Neighborhood.
Mejía received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 1989. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
in 1992 and complete his Master of Public Policy degree in 2004 from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
Career
James was elected as an At-Large Member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education in 1999 with 58% of the vote. He served for one term until 2003.James announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Denver in June 2010, when then-mayor, now current Governor, John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper
John Wright Hickenlooper is an American politician and current Governor of Colorado. A Democrat, he was previously the Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.-Early life, education and career:...
decided to pursue the governor’s office.
Mejía is currently on leave from the Denver Preschool Program where he is the Founding Chief Executive Officer, having been appointed in 2007. Under Mejia’s leadership, DPP has helped send more than 15,000 Denver children to quality preschool programs by providing over $23 million to help Denver families afford this essential early childhood education.
In September 2004, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper appointed Mejía as the Project Manager of the Denver Justice Center. The Denver Justice Center consists of a 35-courtroom courthouse, a 1,500-bed detention center, a United States Post Office and a new parking garage. Under Mejía’s management the project achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
(LEED) designation.
Mejía was appointed by Mayor Wellington Webb
Wellington Webb
Wellington E. Webb is a former mayor of Denver, Colorado. He is a graduate of the city's Manual High School. He was Denver's first African-American Mayor.Webb served as mayor of Denver for 12 years, from 1991 to 2003...
to his cabinet as Manager of Denver’s Parks and Recreation in June 2001.
Other Professional Experience
From 2000-2001, Mejía worked as Deputy Director in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development & International Trade under Mayor Wellington Webb. In November 1999, Mejía was elected to the Denver Public SchoolsDenver Public Schools
The Denver County School District No. 1, more commonly known as the Denver Public Schools , is the public school system in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, United States.-History:...
Board of Education as an At-Large Member Mejía served on the DPS Board of Education from 1999-2003. In 1996 Mejía was recruited by Mayor Webb as the Executive Director of the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations. Mejía was the Executive Director of Denver’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 1995–1996 and previously worked as a Trade Specialist in the Colorado International Trade Office.
Personal
James Mejía is married to Dr. Heather Riley, who also grew up in Denver. A Wesleyan graduate, she holds a master’s degree and PhD in Education from the University of ColoradoUniversity of Colorado
The University of Colorado system is a system of public universities in Colorado consisting of three universities in four campuses: University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and University of Colorado Denver in downtown Denver and at the Anschutz Medical Campus in...
. Mejía and Riley have three girls: Moya, Alexandra, and Riley. Mejía and Riley share a passion for running. As of March 2011 Mejía has completed 50 marathons and Riley has completed 26.
Community Serivce
Mejía is a past President of the Board of the historic Denver Athletic Club.Awards and Recognitions
- “Leader of the Year,” – 9News, 2009
- “Denver's 150 Unsung Heroes” – Rocky Mountain News, 2009
- “People to Watch in the New Millennium” - The Denver Post, 2000
- “New Leaders of the Latino Community” - The Rocky Mountain News, 1999
- “Action Award” from American Jewish Committee for work in race relations, 1998
- “40 Under 40” – Denver Business Journal, 1996