MAYOR - BARBARA NOSEWORTHY

Contact Barbara:

(970) 633-0448

BarbaraNoseworthy@DurangoGov.org

My husband, Jim Cunningham, and I discovered Durango when we were preparing to backpack the Colorado Trail. We wanted to return to the rural West (as we had lived in Wyoming, Montana, and eastern Washington for many years) and were looking for a community that cares about each other, wants to protect the environment, and values community engagement when addressing challenges and opportunities. We found that in Durango and moved here in 2015. In Durango, my volunteer efforts include serving on the board of the Durango Independent Film Festival and The Durango Playfest. I have served on the Durango Public Arts Commission, and as a member of the Durango Arts and Cultural Working Group.

My professional career has spanned more than 30 years with executive leadership positions at the University of Washington, Whitman College, Columbia University and New York University. My experience and expertise is in strategic planning, capacity building, resource mobilization, change management and partnership development. My clients include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Food Program, USA-based non-profits, and international organizations. I have overseen budgets from $2 million to $38 million and managed teams up to 160 people. For 12 years, I worked with people in rural villages in Africa and Asia to promote sustainable development. This work involved addressing infrastructure needs (water, energy, and broadband), job creation, improving agriculture and food systems, developing markets for products, attracting corporate investment, securing government financing for programs and diversifying the economy – issues Durango also faces.

My husband and I have been married for 39 years and enjoy XC skiing, kayaking, bicycling and backpacking. We can often be seen strolling Main Avenue with our 16-year-old dog Bono.

JESSIKA BUELL

Contact Jessika:

(970) 769-0729

JessikaBuell@DurangoGov.org

I am an entrepreneur, a coach, a trainer and – most importantly – a mom. I first moved to Durango in 2001 to attend Fort Lewis College, where I would ultimately get degrees in English Literature and English Education with endorsements in Spanish and Math. I have two boys, both born in Durango: a 12-year-old son, Sawyer and 13-year-old son, Connor. Both are the biggest sports fanatics and love all things about cars. They play hockey, lacrosse, football, BMX, mountain bike, snowboard and ski. You could say they love to stay active. They both currently attend Miller Middle School and are full-on teenage boys! I love to workout, enjoy watching and cheering my boys on in whatever sport they are playing and coaching their hockey teams. I am an avid reader, enjoy time with friends and love working on anything business related!

I have lived and worked in Durango for over 19 years. Starting my professional career as an English and Math teacher in the Durango Schools; I then transitioned into a marketing, business development and project executive role for one of the largest construction firms in the country. In 2016, I opened my first business here in Durango, Lucky Services. I have over 50 employees now at Lucky, with two locations in two different states, and meet locals and visitors every day that use our services. In 2018, I saw a huge need for digital marketing services for small businesses and opened Marketing Concepts Squared (MC2). We manage social media pages for small businesses and through MC2, I have been lucky enough to meet and work with some amazing businesses in the region. In 2019, I had the opportunity to buy into one of my favorite places on earth to go – my gym, The Vault. I became co-owner of The Vault and I am lucky enough to train, workout with, and get inspired daily by some of the greatest people in this community. I have also worked in this community as a server and bartender in local area restaurants, a surgical assistant for an oral surgeon, a figure skating coach, a tennis instructor and a coach for my boys' hockey and soccer teams. I am the co-founder of The Professional Women's Network of Durango (PWN) and served on the board for four years. I was honored to be awarded The Durango Chamber of Commerce's 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year "Ed Morlan" Award and I was named Durango's Trainer/Instructor of the Year in the 2020 Best of Durango.

Through the years I have witnessed the community go through a dynamic pace of growth and change. Durango offers the best possible combination of features for an outstanding family-oriented community. It is situated in arguably the most beautiful setting in all of the United States, and offers ‘out the back door’ access to world-class fishing, four-wheeling, hiking, climbing, skiing, mountain biking and a host of other pursuits. Preserving the quality of life in our area is of critical importance to me.

CITY MANAGER

José R. Madrigal

Contact José:

(970)-375-5005

Jose.Madrigal@DurangoGov.org

José R. Madrigal was appointed city manager of Durango in September of 2020. The City Manager is the City’s chief administrative officer who directs and supervises the departments, offices and agencies of the city government. The manager is responsible for carrying out direction from City Council, the City Charter and bylaws.

The City Manager is also responsible for development and preparation of the City’s annual budget and capital improvement program and administers both following adoption by the City Council.

José is a results-oriented, strategic leader with almost two decades of local-government experience. Under José’s leadership, his organizations have been recognized for their transparency, community engagement, innovation and strong financial standing. In 2013, he was named to the Class of Young Rising Latinos by Latino Leaders Magazine. Prior to his relocation to Durango, José has served as an interim, deputy and assistant city manager for the cities of McKinney, Irving and Cedar Park in Texas. José attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Throughout his career, José has been highly involved in professional development and training. He has completed the Senior Executive Institute Program from the University of Virginia – Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and the Public Executive Institute from the University of Texas at Austin – LBJ School of Public Affairs. José is a former Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner and has obtained his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He is also an active member of the International City/County Management Association and Colorado City County Management Association.

José and his wife, Meredith, are proud to call Durango home and can be found enjoying the amazing recreational activities, shopping and dining locations with their five children (Duncan, Parker, Hannah, Macey and Julia).