A Seat at the Table with Debbie Brown

Colorado Business Roundtable
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The Colorado Business Roundtable engages with leaders from academia, business, community and government to improve the business climate in our state by unapologetically amplifying the voice of business. Business is a force for good in our community, and we’re here to tell the story. On our podcast, A Seat at the Table, President Debbie Brown welcomes thought leaders to discuss the pressing business issues of the day. Our belief is that when business succeeds, people succeed, our communities succeed. Take your own seat at the table and listen in on these vital conversations.

  1. 3D AGO

    State of the States: Business and Policy Perspectives from Florida, Louisiana, and Texas

    Join State Business Roundtable Presidents from across the country for a candid conversation offering state-by-state perspectives on the top issues shaping business and public policy. Leaders will discuss how national and state trends impact their states, the issues top of mind for business, and how regional perspectives can drive a stronger U.S. economy. Filmed on February 19, 2026. This discussion features: Debbie Brown, President, Colorado Business Roundtable Adam Knapp, CEO, Leaders for a Better Louisiana Justin Yancy, President, Texas Business Leadership Council Michael Simas, President/CEO, The Florida Council Of 100 Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    59 min

  2. FEB 9

    Taft is the Modern Law Firm featuring Lyle Wallace

    Lyle Wallace is the partner-in-charge of the Colorado and Nevada offices for Taft, which refers to itself as "The Modern Law Firm." Lyle explains exactly what that means as part of our wide-ranging conversation with him that covers his professional journey, the type of work he does, his philanthropic efforts, his outlook on the business climate and much more.  As mergers and acquisitions counsel, Lyle guides corporations and private equity groups through acquisitions, dispositions, and mergers, both domestic and international. He has represented clients in hundreds of transactions during his career and has developed a reputation not only as a talented legal practitioner but also as a practical problem-solver. A client has referred to Lyle as “the most pragmatic and solutions-oriented attorney we have ever worked with.” Get to know Lyle on this episode of A Seat at the Table with Debbie Brown. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.  Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    31 min

  3. FEB 4

    SPECIAL EPISODE: State of the State with Governor Polis – Colorado’s Next 150 Years

    On January 28, 2026, Colorado Business Roundtable hosted its annual State of the State event at the Denver Art Musem. At that event, we took a look at Colorado’s progress in recent years and the priorities that will shape its long-term competitiveness. We had a forward-looking dialogue on what the future demands from both policymakers and employers. After short opening remarks, Governor Polis participated in a moderated Q&A with executives from some of Colorado’s leading employers. The members of the panel were: David Coors - Chairman and Head of Business Relations at Molson Coors Beverage Company Erin Waggoner - Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs at Verizon George Sparks - CEO of Denver Museum of Nature and Science Debbie Brown - President of Colorado Business Roundtable Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    36 min

  4. JAN 12

    The 2025 Talent Pipeline Report featuring Lee Wheeler-Berliner and Ryan Gedney

    The annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report produced by the Colorado Workforce Development Council identifies areas of growing demand and opportunity, key features of the current labor force, and strategies to balance the supply and demand equation for talent. It also highlights the Top Jobs in Colorado -- jobs with high annual openings, above average growth, and a good wage. The CWDC released the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report on Dec. 16, 2025. This twelfth iteration of the Talent Pipeline Report analyzes and explains labor market information, highlights talent development strategies, and provides data-informed opportunities to enhance the talent pipeline in Colorado.  On this episode of A Seat at the Table with Debbie Brown, Debbie welcomes Talent Pipeline Senior Analyst Ryan Gedney and Managing Director Lee Wheeler-Berliner to the show to discuss the findings of this year's report. Where is there growth? Where are there opportunities? What challenges still exist? All of these questions and much more will be answered.  Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown. Ryan Gedney is the talent pipeline analyst for the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Colorado Department of Higher Education. In this shared-agency position, Ryan’s role is motivated by data creation and collection as an analytical tool for informed decision making. He supports the CWDC’s efforts to develop and sustain an industry-led talent development system through his empirical research and analyses centered on Colorado's workforce from both demand and supply perspectives.  As the Managing Director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council Office, Lee manages the execution of strategies to develop and sustain an industry-led talent development system in Colorado. By forging relationships with industry and public partners at the local and state level, Lee helps to ensure the alignment of talent development efforts statewide. Lee has been with the CWDC since 2014 and brings extensive project management and leadership experience to this role.

    31 min

  5. 09/08/2025

    Up Close and Personal with Ent Credit Union CEO Chad Graves

    Chad brings more than 28 years of leadership experience to his role as President & CEO of Ent Credit Union. Since he became CEO in October 2017, Ent has doubled in assets, members, employees, and locations. Ent continues to receive community, state, and national level recognition as a “best of” credit union and employer. Chad joined Ent in September 1999, as the Manager of eCommerce and was responsible for implementation of web-based online banking and progressed over the years to the Chief Information Officer role. During his tenure at Ent, he has held several leadership roles in Technology, Marketing, and Operations, prior to becoming President & CEO. Prior to Ent, Chad held technology positions at ADC Telecommunications and Nationwide Insurance. On this episode of A Seat at the Table, Chad shares more about his professional journey, the challenges and opportunities present when incorporating new technology like online banking in the past and AI today, as well as what excites him going forward. He talks about Ent being active in the community, championing financial literacy, and what differentiates Ent from traditional banks and other credit unions. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.  Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    21 min

  6. 07/28/2025

    The Present and Future of Local Journalism featuring Mark Cornetta

    Mark Cornetta is Senior Vice President of Media for TEGNA and President & General Manager of KUSA/KTVD (9News) in Denver. This portfolio includes KUSA Channel 9 as well as KTVD Channel 20 9NEWS.com and others. Launched in the 1990s and now a vital news source for Coloradoans that updates news, weather and sports 24 hours a day. 9NEWS+, a free streaming app on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, Android TV, and Apple TV, launched in 2022. From their "About Us" page on their website: "The story of 9NEWS is an evolution of people and technology. Film to videotape. Black and white to color. Analog to digital. But one thing that hasn't changed since 1952 is our commitment to bring Colorado the best programming possible." On this episode of A Seat at the Table, Mark shares his professional journey and how he ultimately ended up at 9News. He chronicles the evolution of the business from his unique viewpoint and discusses the current challenges and opportunities facing local news, how the industry proceeds from here, what he expects from the FCC, and much, much more. Mark has worked in this industry for more than 40 years, and his insights about the current state of affairs, as well as where things head from here are valuable and incisive. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.  Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    30 min

  7. 06/02/2025

    The Importance of Good Science and Good Policy featuring George Sparks

    George Sparks has been the President/CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science since November 2004. He spent 24 years in the electronics measurement business at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies. His career included marketing, sales, and general management of global businesses in software, systems, and services. George's passion is public policy, particularly around science and education. He is a member of the Colorado Forum, Colorado Concern, and is on the Boards of Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Business Roundtable, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Denver Council of Foreign Relations, and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. George is also the founder of the Institute for Science & Policy, a program of the Museum., which strives to make science a second-nature consideration in public discourse. The Institute works across divides to help solve our most complex statewide, national, and global challenges. We are non-partisan, policy neutral, and serve as a convener and honest broker. With polarization rising, trust in institutions falling, the media seen as increasingly biased, and cultural divides creating challenges for our common humanity, the Institute is positioned to address the wicked collective action issues that define our modern world. If we are to make progress, we need a trusted space where people can learn, share, and work towards science-based solutions. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.  Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    20 min

  8. 05/19/2025

    Oil and Gas in Colorado featuring Kyle Koontz of BPX Energy

    Kyle Koontz is Chief Executive Officer of BPX Energy, headquartered in Denver. In September 2018, BPX Energy formally opened its 160,000-square-foot headquarters in Denver. From there, BPX manages world-class assets in the Permian and Eagle Ford basins in Texas, and Haynesville Basin in Texas and Louisiana. BPX supports more than 1,900 jobs throughout the state and has spent more than $1.5 million within local communities in support of education, the environment and Denver homeless shelters since 2019. At the helm of BPX Energy, Kyle's focus is on steering the company through a transformative era in the energy sector. He maintains a strategic approach to asset management, fostering a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and financial prudence. With almost two decades of experience in the industry, Kyle's expertise lies in manufacturing process improvement and new business development, ensuring BPX Energy thrives in a competitive market. Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.  Rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. For more of our events, podcasts, and news, please visit the Colorado Business Roundtable website.

    19 min
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About

The Colorado Business Roundtable engages with leaders from academia, business, community and government to improve the business climate in our state by unapologetically amplifying the voice of business. Business is a force for good in our community, and we’re here to tell the story. On our podcast, A Seat at the Table, President Debbie Brown welcomes thought leaders to discuss the pressing business issues of the day. Our belief is that when business succeeds, people succeed, our communities succeed. Take your own seat at the table and listen in on these vital conversations.

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