The State of Douglas County Gala

Larry is a career real estate professional with a passion for creating high-quality mixed-use neighborhoods that serve and enhance the lives of their tenants, residents and surrounding communities. Prior to joining Westside, Larry held positions with publicly traded and privately held homebuilders including Division President and General Counsel and served as a Principal of Colorado-based real estate investment firms which have developed projects throughout the Front Range. Larry received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, and is a member of the Colorado bar, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Douglas County Community Foundation. Larry is happily married and is the very proud father of 2 daughters and one step-son. In his spare time he enjoys golf, yoga, cooking and traveling.

Tony is a founding member of Confluence. Originally from New Jersey, Tony developed his love for construction in his grandfather’s NYC construction company. That passion for building lead Tony to West Point where he graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy with a B.S. in Mathematics and earning a Masters Degree in Engineering & Construction Management from the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology. As a former U.S. Army Engineer Officer, Tony managed some of the largest U.S. Army construction projects completed globally during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his Army career, Tony cut his teeth in residential real estate development as a senior manager for Toll Brothers, Inc, America’s leading builder of luxury homes. Tony developed his insights on land planning, deal modeling, and residential construction while managing the development of some of Colorado’s most prestigious neighborhoods. It was during this time where Tony recognized the shift from home buying to home renting, and the opportunity to create a real estate development company was born. With his hands on approach to leading all aspects of the company’s business, Tony believes in a handshake commitment and the importance of doing what we say we’re going to do. He recognizes and trusts in the quality of our people. It’s that advantage that gives Confluence the ability to lead the market into the future, delivering an exceptional product & living experience in some of Colorado’s best locations.

In her role as CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), Ellie spearheads initiatives to promote economic vitality and foster collaboration, attracting investment and supporting local businesses. Committed to excellence and community engagement, Ellie also holds leadership positions on several nonprofit boards, including High Hopes, Ready Colorado, and the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Through her visionary leadership and collaborative approach, Ellie continues to drive positive outcomes in economic development and government relations, leaving a lasting impact across various sectors.

Abe Laydon was elected Douglas County Commissioner, District I, in November 2018 and began serving his second term in January 2023. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. During his two terms, Douglas County has remained the healthiest and most prosperous county in the state, according to U.S. News and World report. Laydon’s focus has remained “doing the greatest good for the greatest number” while always looking for the “both/and solution” to build bridges where there are differences of opinion. Laydon is the founder and Chairman of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative and the creator of the HEART Team, which effectively ended panhandling, encampments, and unsheltered homelessness in Douglas County during his tenure. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Douglas County Wildfire Action Collaborative where he was responsible for securing and expanding the state’s only county Helitac team, which has protected not just the county but the entire region from the greatest potential threat it faces – wildfire. Laydon is also the the Founder of the Douglas County Water Commission, ensuring the county has a dependable long term Water Plan. Laydon is Co-Chair of the state’s Region 12 Opioid Counsel, which encompasses Douglas County and administers millions of dollars to address the opioid crisis for young people and adults. Laydon is the chairman of the Douglas County Youth Initiative and led the creation of the Douglas County Youth Commission. Laydon was the architect of the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative and its merger into what is now the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative, encouraging citizens to “Dream in Douglas” and ensuring the county attracts the top businesses, with the greatest jobs, to help keep Douglas County the best place to live, work, play, and raise a family. Laydon spearheaded the innovation in school security efforts following the tragic STEM shooting, to ensure critical entryway technology provided peace of mind and saved lives. Through his leadership, the county now has the highest number of School Resource Officers in the state. Laydon also Initiated the change of Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch to Kendrick Castillo Way in an effort to remind all who travel to the county of the courageous way of life led by one of its greatest heroes. While in office, Laydon has joined his board in keeping Douglas County debt free with a balanced budget and healthy reserves, annually providing historic levels of tax relief and property tax reductions, all under the strongly held belief that government has enough of the people’s money and should do more with less. During the global pandemic, Laydon and the Board led the county to be statistically the most healthy (lowest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths) as well as the most open in the Denver Metro Area. While many communities remained shuttered, Laydon declared an end to the pandemic in April of 2021 based on the data and joined his board in creating the new Douglas County Health Department in order to be more responsive to citizens. On the mental health front, Laydon was on the front lines leading the national, state, and local efforts alongside elected colleagues at all levels to create the new 988 mental health line which now provides mental health crisis response to be analogous to 911 in emergencies. Laydon led the successful ballot measure to ensure the county had $220 million for roads and also spearheaded the even more successful ballot measure to ensure the county had over $330 million for parks, open space, and historic resources for future generations, developing the Strategic Master Plan for this investment and preserving special sites like Sweetwater and Toepfer as parks for the community. In addition to his fundamental responsibilities as a County Commissioner, and his aforementioned roles, Laydon also serves as a representative of Douglas County, by way of Board appointment, to the following area organizations: Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Investment Board, Centennial Airport Community Noise Roundtable, Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Control Authority, Denver South Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors and Denver South I-25 Urban Corridor Transportation Management Authority, Community Services Block Grant Tripartite Board, Developmental Pathways Board of Directors, Douglas County Community Foundation, Douglas County Youth Initiative Advisory Board, and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. He previously served on the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health 988 Implementation Planning Committee. Laydon led the reimagining of the Douglas County Community Foundation to be the philanthropic arm of the county administering the Philip S. Miller funds and establishing the community emergency relief fund to be prepared if disaster strikes. Mayors, elected leaders, and C-Suite Executives from the county’s most significant businesses, partners, and nonprofits are now members, caring for the community and raising funds through its signature event, the Annual Heroes Gala. Additionally, Commissioner Laydon shares in the Board’s responsibility for the County’s presence on the Chatfield Watershed Authority, Denver South Economic Development Partnership, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Metro Area County Commissioners, and Partnership of Douglas County Governments. In September 2021, Governor Polis appointed Commissioner Laydon to the Colorado Forest Health Council and reappointed him in 2024. Laydon has served on the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) subcommittees on Health and Human Services, Land Use and Natural Resources, and Transportation and Telecommunications. He also served on the National Association of Counties Transportation Policy Steering Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative Workgroup for Development of Programs and Interventions, and the Sky Ridge Community Council. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners also serves as the Board of Adjustment, the Board of Human Services, and Liquor Licensing Authority, and the Board of Social Services. Prior to being elected as County Commissioner, Laydon was an attorney and equity partner in South Denver’s largest business law firm, served as a Douglas County Planning Commissioner for two terms, and was the Douglas County Republican Party’s first vice-chairman and treasurer. A graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies, Laydon has been involved in philanthropy and civic service his entire life. He has sat on the board of many local nonprofits, was an officer and member of Denver Children’s Foundation and the Metro Denver Board of Christian Legal Society. Laydon is the first Latino as well as the first out member of the LGBTQ+ community elected commissioner in Douglas County’s history. Laydon is a proud fifth-generation Coloradan and a graduate of Colorado State University and the University of Colorado School of Law, completing post graduate studies at Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Laydon is a proud father of three, a man of deep faith, and makes his home in Lone Tree.

Lora was first elected Douglas County Commissioner, District III, in November 2016 and began serving her first term in January 2017. She was re-elected in November 2020 and began serving her second term in January 2021. Ms. Thomas is a third-generation Coloradan who has called Douglas County her home for 32 years. As a Douglas County Commissioner, Lora Thomas will bring leadership, valuable life lessons and conservative values to the Office, and her door will always be open to listen and learn from all Douglas County residents. In addition to her fundamental responsibilities as a County Commissioner, Ms. Thomas also serves as a representative of Douglas County, by way of Board appointment, to the following area organizations: Chatfield Watershed Authority, Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, Douglas County Housing Partnership, Highline Canal Conservancy, Mile High Flood District, Douglas County Emergency Telephone (9-1-1) Authority, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forfeiture Board, 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Seizure Board, and the Unified Forensic Crime Lab Board. Additionally, Commissioner Thomas shares in the Board’s responsibility for the County’s presence on the Partnership of Douglas County Governments; the Denver South I-25 Urban Corridor Transportation Management Authority; the Denver South Economic Development Partnership; and the Metro Area County Commissioners. Thomas also serves on the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Board of Directors as Secretary, and on the following CCI Steering Committees: Justice and Public Safety, Taxation and Finance and Tourism and Economic Development. Thomas was appointed by CCI to represent counties on the State Department of Human Services Works Allocation Committee and in December 2020 was appointed to the Public Safety Communications Subcommittee. She also serves on the National Association of Counties Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee and previously served on the State’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force Subpanel. In 2018, Ms. Thomas was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Emergency Medical Trauma Services Advisory Committee, as well as Chairman of its Prevention Committee and served until July 2023. In 2023, Commissioner Thomas was appointed as the local government representative to the Colorado Ethics Commission (IEC). The IEC is a constitutionally created independent commission charged with the implementation of the Ethics in Government Amendment to the Colorado Constitution, approved by voters in 2006. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners also serves as the Board of Adjustment, the Board of Human Services, Liquor Licensing Authority, and the Board of Social Services. While living in Douglas County, Ms. Thomas has been involved in the community through her service as the Chairman of the Victim Compensation Board for the 18th Judicial District; a member of the Public Issues Committee for the Highlands Ranch Community Association; and a Board Member for the Men’s Crisis Connection. She currently serves as President of “A Night with the Coroner,” a non-profit that raises funds for suicide prevention efforts. Thomas first ran for public office in 2010, was elected and served a four-year term as Douglas County Coroner, from 2011 to 2015.

Commissioner George Teal was elected Douglas County Commissioner, District II, in November 2020 and began serving his first term in January 2021. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. In addition to his fundamental responsibilities as a County Commissioner, Mr. Teal also serves as a representative of Douglas County by way of Board appointment, to the following area organizations: Castle Rock Economic Development Council; Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Board of Directors and Performance and Engagement Committee, as well as the DRCOG Sub-regional Committee and alternate representative to the Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC). E-470 Public Highway Authority Board, Northwest Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, Aging Resources of Douglas County, Douglas County Older Adult Initiative Executive Committee, and the Southern Shooting Partnership. Additionally, Commissioner Teal shares in the Board’s responsibility for the County’s presence on the Partnership of Douglas County Governments; Denver South Economic Development Partnership; and the Metro Area County Commissioners. He also serves on the following Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Steering Committees: Agriculture, Wildlife and Rural Affairs; General Government; and Public Lands. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners also serves as the Board of Adjustment, the Board of Human Services, and Liquor Licensing Authority, and the Board of Social Services. Prior to being elected Douglas County Commissioner, Teal served six years on the Castle Rock Town Council. He has worked as a software project engineer and IT business consultant since 1999. He is an alumnus of Arrow Electronics and has operated his own software consulting business since 2004 – specializing in logistics management and supply chain migrations. Once elected County Commissioner, he stepped away from his career in Information Technology to focus on his responsibilities serving the hard-working families of Douglas County. After graduation from Greeley Central High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a rifleman. Teal received his bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Northern Colorado and was recognized as an Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. After graduation he returned to active duty and served as an Infantry Officer with the Army’s 25th Infantry Division until 1997. In the ten years he served our nation, Commissioner Teal began as a Private in the Infantry and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, having earned numerous commendations and awards. He is a Veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Pacific Haven. George served as an assistant Scoutmaster with Castle Rock’s Troop 780, earned his Wood Badge (the highest achievement for adult Scout leaders) and is an NRA-certified firearms instructor with the Boy Scouts of America shooting sports program. He is also a member of the American Legion. George and his wife, Laura, have resided in Castle Rock for more than 20 years. The Teals have two children. In his free time, George studies history, enjoys the great outdoors, cooking, homebrewing and teaching firearms safety to Boy Scouts – while also sharing his love of shooting.