Denver Post
The head of one of the state's leading business lobbying groups is stepping down to pursue business interests and to teach. Sam Cassidy, president and chief executive of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, said Monday he will leavethe organization by June 1. He has been its director for a little more than two years. Cassidy, a former state senator and lieutenant governor under Gov. Roy Romer, said he succeeded in focusing the group'senergy on doing a few things well, including raising the business community's profile in the L
"Sam has done a great job," said Tom Clark, president of the Jefferson County Economic Council, a job Cassidy heldpreviously. "It wasn't on anyone's radar screen," he said. " When Cassidy came to the job, the association's membership was stagnant. An allegation of sexual harassment has been lodged against Schwartz by two former employees, Cassidy said. His departure will leave two top posts in the organization unfilled. "Sam really has been an extremely effective advocate for Colorado's businesses, and we wish him well," said Jeff Johnson,chairman of the association's board of directors. "We've been effective at the Legislature," he said. " Cassidy said he made the decision to leave in September but agreed to stay through one more legislative session, which ends inMay. Cassidy, 50, shepherded business' interests through a fruitful legislative session last year, a session that included a $ 100 millionannual tax refund for business personal property taxpayers. Schwartz didn't return a telephone call seeking comment. "The Legislature is the (group's) core product. During his tenure, the organization's membership grew from about 1,300 to about 1,700 members. "He's brought that organization back to a position of prestige within the state.
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Acceptance Essays
