FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager
Phone: 970-920-5296
Email: diane.foster@aspen.gov
Emily Ford, Communications Specialist
Phone: 970-379-9373
Email: emily.ford@aspen.gov
Press Release
City announces new director and interim leadership appointments
Aspen, CO – The city of Aspen announces three promotions in the strategy and innovation office, transportation and parking departments. John Barker has been appointed director of the strategy and innovation office. Barker, who has been with the city since June 2016, brings experience and vision to his new role. Having most recently served as the deputy director of the strategy and innovation office since June 2023, Barker will now lead a team of six. Barker moves into this role vacated by Patrick Quick, previous director of strategy and innovation.
With a philosophy degree from Colorado College and a career rooted in nonprofit work within the Roaring Fork Valley, Barker is passionate about utilizing the expertise of city staff to enhance the municipal government’s services and operations. The strategy and innovation office functions as an internal consultant for the organization, the administration of the city’s Community Survey, the management of Aspen 311 Connect and assists in strategic planning.
Barker is excited to create new tools for sharing information more effectively, both internally and with the broader community, to bridge the gap between the work being done by city staff and the public's awareness of it.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a team with as much dedication and expertise as the strategy and innovation office,” said Barker. “My team and I are committed to helping the city function as the best version of itself by listening and responding to community feedback, supporting continuous improvement, and improving the experience of city customers.”
In addition to Barker’s promotion, the city is also pleased to announce two interim leadership appointments.
Lynn Rumbaugh has been appointed interim director of transportation, effective Oct. 7, 2024. Rumbaugh has been with the city since December 2000, most recently serving as transportation manager. Rumbaugh brings 28 years of transportation management expertise to her new role.
With a degree in sociology focused on environmental studies, Rumbaugh is eager to continue advancing the city’s Transportation Demand Management programs, which have the full support of the community.
Blake Fitch will assume the role of interim director of parking, also effective Oct. 7, 2024.
Fitch has been with the city for 31 years, previously serving as the parking operations manager. As a Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP), Fitch is enthusiastic about maintaining a high level of customer service and exploring how current and future technologies can further enhance the parking department’s operations. Fitch and Rumbaugh step into the interim roles as previous director of transportation and parking, Pete Rice, leaves the city.
These leadership appointments continue the city’s commitment to innovation, customer service, and operational excellence.
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