GOV. RITTER NAMES NEW MEMBERS TO BOARDS OF CSU AND MESA STATE COLLEGE

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointments of new members to the governing boards of Colorado State University and Mesa State College.

 

Gov. Ritter named Patrick McConathy of McCoy and Thomas Farley of Pueblo to the 13-member Board of Governors of the CSU system, for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2011.

 

McConathy, 54, and his family own the Yarmony Creek Ranch along the Colorado River, where they raise horses and cattle. He has spent most of his career in the oil and gas industry. He began working as a petroleum landman for the Placid Oil Co. in Shreveport, La., before starting McConathy Production Co. and later  Phoenix Oil and Gas and Yarmony Creek Oil and Gas.

 

Farley, 73, is a former member of the Colorado House of Representatives. He served as the House Minority Leader from 1967 to 1975. He served on the Colorado Wildlife Commission from 1975 to 1979.  A lawyer and senior partner with Petersen & Fonda in Pueblo, he specializes in education and health-care law.

 

Gov. Ritter today also announced the re-appointment of Charlie K. Monfort of Greeley and the appointment of Joseph H. Skinner of Grand Junction to the 11-member Mesa State College Board of Trustees.

 

Monfort, 48, is chairman and CEO of the Colorado Rockies. He and his family are generous contributors to many civic and charitable causes, and Charlie Monfort serves on the Special Olympics board. The Monfort family has operated major cattle operations for generations.

 

Skinner, 59, a semi-retired estate and trust attorney, is president of Mesa County Business Education Foundation and a past member of the Colorado Economic Development Commission. He has worked in the banking industry and been a practicing attorney since 1976.

 

All four appointments require Senate confirmation.