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Aspen mayoral candidates tout their backgrounds

Karl Herchenroeder
The Aspen Times
Torre

Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron and former Councilman Torre will compete for the mayor’s seat in the May 5 election. For the next week, The Aspen Times will publish their responses to six questions.

Today’s question: Why does your background lend itself to public office?

Steve Skadron



In my day job, I’m the principal of SpoonerSkadron, a boutique marketing and design shop I started 12 years ago. I provide strategic and creative marketing services for small businesses in a variety of industries. Programs like the “Uphill Economy” promote the use of our existing infrastructure and get more value out of it.

Following the advent of social media, I created the “Social Media Strategies for Small Business” seminar for (Colorado Mountain College) and then served as an adjunct professor in (Colorado Mountain College)’s Isaacson School of New Media teaching the e-commerce course.




I’ve also earned an MBA with a concentration in finance.

Along with my education, the professional skills I’ve honed are many of the same needed for success in the mayor’s seat: critical thinking, judgment and decision making, ability to see the big picture, analytical skills, complex problem solving, speaking and listening and familiarity with financial resource management, among others. Fortuitously, they have left me prepared for my role in public service.

In addition, I’m a veteran of Aspen Sports. You learn a lot about a mountain town hanging around a ski shop.

Torre

My background has given me the tools to be an excellent public servant and leader. My desire and dedication to work for public good has long been a tenet of my beliefs. I have learned through my education and experience how to listen to others, value opinions and work with others for cooperative resolution. I have lived in Aspen for over 20 years. I have worked a variety of jobs, from concierge, snowboard instructor, every position in restaurants, sound engineer, concert and event producer and tennis pro. That work experience gives me an acute understanding of Aspen from many perspectives and a diverse skill set that better equips me than my opponent. I have served eight years on City Council, and I have been one of the strongest public advocates for housing, environmental progress and local families and business. I ask for your vote to bring this passion, dedication and experience back as your mayor.

herk@aspentimes.com