JOE BALLESTRASSE, President, joined Thistle’s Board in 2000, is the Vice President of commercial lending at First National Bank of Colorado in Boulder. Prior to joining Thistle’s Board Joe was instrumental in the construction financing for Thistle’s Buena Vista Community Land Trust, Colorado’s largest permanently affordable home ownership community. Joe’s expertise of the real estate market and the financing needed for affordable housing provides the organization with needed is a great asset to Thistle.
JERRY LEE, Vice President, has over 20 years experience in real estate development through his work with the WW Reynolds Companies and through his own private development company. He has helped develop, finance and retain ownership in 1.7 million square feet of commercial/ industrial/ office/ retail space, and has helped develop and finance over 1200 apartment units. Jerry sits on the Board of Directors for Boulder’s Community Food Share and the Boulder Community Hospital Foundation. He is a Commissioner with the Boulder Urban Renewal Authority, is on the Executive Committee for Citizens for Commuter Rail, and is on the Council for Small Scale Development with the Urban Land Institute. Jerry is a Certified Public Accountant and joined Thistle’s Board in 2002.
DERRICK ROBINSON, Treasurer, offers more than 14 years of experience in selling and developing real estate, as well as extensive knowledge of affordable housing and financial planning, including finances and trusts. Derrick came to Boulder in 1971 for school and never left. Currently with Sargent Bickham and Associates, he previously worked for Colorado National Bank in the trust department. With two kids currently in college, he has more time to give back to the community, and being on the Thistle board fits in with his natural interests and expertise. He also serves on the United Way Investment Committee.
ANN MARKS GETCHES, Secretary, joined Thistle’s Board in 2000 and is the Managing Partner of Centro, a building development company in Boulder (20 years). She has also been a regular volunteer at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless for the last eight years, and a Downtown Management Commissioner for the last five years. Ann has a BA from Occidental College and an MA from CU (Educational Psychology). She served as President of the board for two years, and has been a Boulder resident for more than 30 years.
RICHARD HARRIS, Assistant Secretary, is a former Boulder City Council Member and Planning Board member and has served on the Thistle Board for the past 7 years. Richard has lived in Boulder County for 25 years and has a long-term commitment to low-income housing and environmentalism. He works as a Senior Scientist for the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
MICHAEL MARTINEZ Community Reinvestment Director for Vectra Bank of Colorado, joined Thistle’s board in 2004, bringing with him over 18 years of experience in non-profits and community development. Michael holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from CU-Denver. His professional and community affiliations include being on the board of many housing, youth, and education organizations.
DOLORES ANDRADE-MEIJAS has been a Thistle Community Land Trust (CLT) homeowner since 2001, a member of Thistle’s CLT Committee and beginning in February, 2008, a member of the board. Dolores’ interest and education are in the criminal justice field and she is currently employed as the Bilingual Family Advocate at Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence. She is experienced in working with varied ethnic communities and serves on the boards of several organizations including El Comite, Longmont Multi-Cultural Planning Committee, Restorative Justice of Longmont and Restorative Justice Conflict Center Denver.
NESTOR DAVIDSON (On Leave) Associate Professor, University of Colorado
