Honoring the Legacies of Community Leaders

CBCA is saddened by the recent passing of three outstanding community leaders, Tom Clark, Pat Lee, and Brian Vogt, who valued and championed the intersection of business and economic development with arts, culture, science and tourism.

Tom Clark, called the “Godfather of Regionalism,” was a long-time leader with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (DMCC)/Metro Denver Economic Development Center (MDEDC). During his tenure, Tom was an advocate for regional arts and culture and CBCA. Under his leadership, the DMCC/MDEDC was a presenting sponsor for many years of CBCA’s biennial Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture, reporting on the economic and social impact of the Scientific Cultural & Facilities District (SCFD). Tom understood how a thriving arts and cultural sector drives our regional and state economy.

Patricia (Pat) Lee Musselman was a champion for Colorado tourism and arts and culture. Her firm, Pat Lee & Associates, led marketing campaigns for many high-profile organizations, including cultural entities, such as Denver Theater & Arenas and Red Rocks Amphitheater. Previously, Pat worked for Continental Airlines for many years. Pat served on CBCA’s Board of Directors from 1994-2000 and served on CBCA member and partner VISIT DENVER’s board for 25 years. She was named Outstanding Tourism Individual of the Year in Colorado, and in 2007 was inducted into the Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame.

Brian Vogt had an accomplished career in regional economic development at the Southwest Chamber of Commerce before becoming a celebrated transformational leader as the CEO of the Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) for the past 18 years. While at DBG, Brian led the organization to accomplish many firsts and high-reaching goals, cementing his legacy along with DBG’s reputation for innovation and environmentalism, including national and global recognition. DBG has been a longtime active member and partner of CBCA, and Brian’s leadership will be deeply missed in the cultural community.

Tom, Pat and Brian were great examples of business and cultural leaders who made their mark on Denver, Colorado, and beyond. Earlier this year, our community also lost Dana Crawford and Dan Ritchie, who each had a transformational impact on Colorado’s cultural vibrancy and long history with CBCA. Together, we honor their legacies and leadership.