SPEAKER: Andrew Novick

Time Scientist

Andrew Novick is an official “time scientist” working at the Time and Frequency Division of National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder.

In this role, Andrew has developed a new widget for website designers and bloggers that will sync their sites to precisely the right time. 

Beyond his daytime job as a scientist, Andrew often makes the news with his off-hours ventures. Best known as ringleader for the infamous Denver band Warlock Pinchers, Novick can now be found promoting the Denver County Fair's cookbook (after hosting last summers X-Treme Pancake Breakfast he was named as the fair's entertainment director) or hosting “Japanese Medical Punk Fashion Shows,” and “Lolita Tea Party and Cake-decorating contests,” while running his seasonal Asian pop culture boutique, “Gimme, Gimme Pillow Toast.”

2009 found him the focus of an exhibition at the now defunct Lab at Belmar entitled "The Astounding Problem of Andrew Novick" which celebrated the often bizarre stuff he gathered over the years. In addition, Novick is a member of the national Peeps fan club and stages an annual Peeps barbecue.

SPEAKER: Ash Taylor

Business Development Associate at QLess, Inc.

Ash Taylor is a Business Development Associate at QLess, Inc., a company whose mission it is to “Eliminate waiting in line.”  QLess has received several awards for its innovative product and was named one of the 28 major trends for 2012 and beyond by famed inventor and futurist Thomas Frey.

Before joining QLess, Ash consulted for several start-ups in Colorado in Operations, Marketing and Sales roles.  Ash has also worked as a Project Manager for a solar panel installation company (Astrum Solar), and as an Operations Associate at an environmental lobbying campaign in Washington DC (Clean Energy Works).  Prior to moving to the US, he consulted for an Argentine microfinance company (Cordial Microfinanzas S.A.) and held internships with the United Nations and Baring Asset Management.

Ash holds a BA in International History and a MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics.  He currently resides in Boulder, CO. 

SPEAKER: Kelly Leid

Director of Development Services, City of Denver

Kelly Leid has over 21 years of broad-based operations management experience, including 15-plus years in senior leadership positions, He has worked across a range of highly visible public, private and nonprofit organizations.

In late September 2011, Kelly was appointed by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock to serve as the City’s Director of Development Services. With a staff of nearly 120, the department facilitates and supports the issuance of over 50,000 residential and commercial permits through the plan review, permitting and inspections process. The department plays a key role in the economic vitality of the City.

From early 2009 until late September 2011, Kelly served as the Director of Operations for Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s 2nd largest school district with over 80,000 students. He served on the Superintendent’s strategic school decision team and led a group that supported the start-up of new schools, shared campus and advancing efforts to transform school facilities for 21st century learning. As of August 2011, the operations support team helped launch 28 new school programs that will at full build out serve nearly 8,000 students across DPS.

Prior to Kelly’s work in education, he held key positions on both the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos stadium projects. His professional history also includes a five-year period as the Event Operations Manager with Arizona State University’s athletic department, staging nearly 300 public sporting events for collegiate and professional sporting events annually.

SPEAKER: Randall Bush

Regional Manager Colorado Ski & Golf / Boulder Ski Deals / Colorado Ski & Sport

Randall Bush is the Regional Manager Colorado Ski & Golf / Boulder Ski Deals / Colorado Ski & Sport.  He has been involved in Retail Operations Management for the last two decades with local and national chains both in the Fashion and Outdoor Industry throughout the upper mid west and mountain west regions of the country.

He has specialized in building new businesses, opening new markets for existing organizations and rescuing underperforming business models for companies such as Nike, Macy's, The Limited, Galyan's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops.

Currently Randall is managing the largest retail model in the stable of Specialty Sports Ventures, the outdoor and lifestyle arm of Vail Resorts.

SPEAKER: Thomas Frey

Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute

Thomas Frey is Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute as well as Google top rated futurist speaker.

As part of the celebrity speaking circuit, Tom continually pushes the envelope of understanding, creating fascinating images of the world to come.  His keynote talks on futurist topics have captivated people ranging from high level government officials to executives in Fortune 500 companies including NASA, IBM, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies, First Data, Boeing, Capital One, Bell Canada, Visa, Ford Motor Company, Qwest, Allied Signal, Hunter Douglas, Direct TV, International Council of Shopping Centers, National Association of Federal Credit Unions, Times of India, Leaders in Dubai, and many more.

Because of his work inspiring inventors and other revolutionary thinkers, Tom has been referred to as the modern "Father of Invention" and the "Dean of Futurists."  Before launching the DaVinci Institute, Tom spent 15 years at IBM as an engineer and designer where he received over 270 awards, more than any other IBM engineer.