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Adrina Gibson

Director, Division of Small Business Opportunity, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity

Adrina Gibson joined the City and County of Denver’s Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) in 2019 serving as the Director of the Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO). In this role, she leads DSBO’s key program areas: Certification, Business Utilization, Contract Compliance, Forensic/Investigation, Strategic Development and Community Engagement/Outreach programs. Fostering a more equitable playing field on public contracts, DSBO encourages and advocates for the utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses on construction projects, professional services projects, and for the procurement of goods and services, as well as local concessionaire opportunities.

Gibson leads a dynamic and passionate team that supports the growth, capacity and sustainability of small, disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses. Most notably, under Gibson’s leadership, DSBO:

  • Received a unanimous vote from Denver City Council to reauthorize the revised DSBO Ordinance; this law prevents the discrimination, maximizes opportunities and builds equity for small, disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses
  • Adopted Rules and Regulations of the programs it oversees as additional guidance of the DSBO Ordinance
  • Implemented and administers the Citywide Mentor Protégé Program and Bridging the Gap to provide strategic development to small businesses
  • Oversees compliance oversight of nearly $100 million worth of city contracts that are awarded annually to certified small, disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses
  • Facilitates the convening of city agency executive leadership and the Mayor’s Office through the Business Equity Leadership Team (BELT) to operationalize key priorities of the small business community

Prior to joining the City and County of Denver, Gibson worked at the Regional Transportation District (RTD) as the Manager of the Small Business Office, whereby she devoted her leadership to economic development, civil rights, community activism, and capacity growth of small and disadvantaged businesses. After starting out as an intern, she served 12 years in a variety of positions within the Small Business Office of RTD’s Civil Rights Division, as a manager, consultant, and DBE/SBE project manager.

As a Denver native, she is dedicated to the community she serves. Gibson’s passion for her community began early in life while in high school she interned several summers at the Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), while in college conducted research and civic engagement projects on social constructs effecting women and minorities and today volunteers to assist underserved communities.

"The HCC Scaling Program provided a unique opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. The small cohort allowed for relationships to develop, facilitating even deeper dives into our subject matter outside of formal sessions. The ideas and insights I gained from this program will have a lasting impact on my business. I'm grateful to have been a part of the HCC Scaling Program, and I believe every budding entrepreneur or seasoned business owner should consider applying to be part of it."
Micah E. Ferguson
Micah E. FergusonFacility & Building Services, LLC
"Contractor Academy was a wonderful blessing. I had been looking for a class to take, specific to construction, but was having difficulty finding one. I received an invitation from Jeff Anker (Saunders) to look into the classes taught by HCC Contractor Academy. Fantastic! It was everything I was looking for… and received the Business Development Certificate. I am sending my foreman to the next contractor classes…"
Meri Ramey Gray
Meri Ramey GrayOwner, Gray Insulation and Fabrication, LLC
"The HCC Contractor Academy courses have been an incredible learning experience for our both entry level and senior field staff. Cost effective with industry professionals who can relate to what we see on site."
James Martinez
James MartinezPresident, Martinez Associates
"I have met and made friends with many people across the Construction Industry, both on a personal and professional level. Professionally, I have enjoyed many new business development opportunities with top quality, professional and sought after businesses and General Contractors. On a personal level, I thoroughly value the friendships I have developed as well as the social atmosphere that surrounds our HCC meetings/dinners."
Tessa Tarr
Tessa TarrOwner, Starr Painting & Drywall
"This has been an invaluable resource for me. In 2018, I attended several classes that sharpened by skills and taught me new ones. It allowed me to access to learn from and network with general contractors that I hope to partner with and build collaborative relationships with fellow subcontractors. My participation in the certificate program through HCC Contractor Academy has given me the highest return on investment of any professional development courses I have taken. I highly recommend for those who want to improve their estimating knowledge to be a better partner in the industry. Thank you!"
Heather Reynolds
Heather ReynoldsSylvester Maintenance & Mechanical
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1114 W. 7th Ave. Suite 250
Denver, CO 80204
Office: (303) 893-3893

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