Phil Castle, The Business Times

Tiffany Pehl once found at work a stamp with a paw print and the words “watchdog of northwest Colorado.” It’s a fitting description, Pehl says, of one role of the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado. And, for that matter, her new role as executive director of the AGNC.

Both roles include looking out for the interests of the county and municipal governments that belong to the organization and advocating on their behalf. It’s an effort she says requires communication, education and collaboration. Lots of collaboration. “That’s what I focus on the most.”

While the region faces challenges that include a changing energy industry, water shortages and the introduction of wolves, Pehl says she remains optimistic. Given an infusion of federal and state funding to help, there are opportunities to start new industries and diversify the economy. “Right now is the time to do it.”

The AGNC board of directors hired Pehl in June.
She succeeds her mother, Bonnie Petersen, who retired after eight years with the organization and nearly four years before that as executive director of Club 20.

Pehl brings to AGNC six years of experience in a series of roles that included program director and deputy director.

Pehl says her mother hired her in 2016 for what was supposed to be a temporary job as an administrative assistant. But as Pehl soon took on additional tasks and responsibilities, she says her mother went to the board to ask that her position be made permanent.

Pehl says she was initially reluctant to apply to become executive director. But she realized the applicants who interviewed for the position offered less knowledge and experience.

Pehl says her mother assured her she was well-equipped to take on the role as executive director and encouraged her to apply.

Mike Samson, chairman of the AGNC board, says Pehl knows the operation and members well. “We are confident she will be able to move into this important role and take AGNC to the next level. AGNC is important to the members of the northwest region, and we look forward to her leadership for many years to come.”

Before joining AGNC, Pehl worked as a small business specialist with CenturyLink, helping businesses with their telephone and internet service. She also sold life and health insurance. She graduated from what’s now Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. 

A sixth-generation native of Western Colorado who grew up in Grand Junction, she also brings to her latest job a life-long familiarity with the area.

AGNC is an association of county and municipal governments that includes Mesa County as well as Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Garfield, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties are also member counties, while Delta, Grand and Montrose counties are associate members. A total of 17 municipal governments belong to the group.

As executive director, Pehl oversees a staff of three and a range of programs and initiatives.

AGNC is designated an Economic Development District by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As such, the AGNC leads economic development planning and regional collaboration.

AGNC also administers the Northwest Enterprise Zone for a 10-county region. Enterprise zones encourage business development in areas of economic distress by offering businesses state tax credits for everything from creating new jobs and buying equipment to rehabilitating vacant buildings.

AGNC recently joined in an initiative to promote remote job opportunities in rural communities in Western Colorado. Under the initiative, AGNC offers up to 300 free one-year memberships to FlexJobs, a career service specializing in remote and flexible jobs.

In addition, AGNC has been involved in efforts to develop additional uses and markets for coal mined in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Besides serving as a fuel in power plants, coal also can serve as the raw material for a variety of products, including strong and lightweight carbon composites that could be used in automobiles and aircraft, Pehl says.

Energy exploration and development remains a leading industry sector in northwest Colorado, along with agriculture, manufacturing and health care, she says.

But the energy sector faces challenges given the growing emphasis on countering climate change and increasing use of solar and wind power. 

Coal-fired power plants in Craig and Hayden are scheduled to close before the end of the decade, which in turn will affect the mines that supply them.

Pehl says several options have been proposed for the power plants, including conversion to hydrogen or small modular nuclear reactors.

In the meantime, a total of $8.5 million in grants have been awarded to help Craig and Hayden support economic diversification as they transition away from the coal industry.

Pehl says AGNC remains committed to helping member governments — and residents — not only survive, but also thrive. “We just look for opportunities to help.”

Collaboration among the members is key, she says. “If we all just keeping working together, we can achieve things.”

For more information about the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado and its various programs and activities, visit https://agnc.org.