New CEO Named for Colorado Nonprofit Association

Feb. 12, 2009, Denver Business Journal — Renny Fagan — a former lawmaker, state official and U.S. Senate aide — has been named president and CEO of the Colorado Nonprofit Association (CNA), a statewide trade, research and advocacy group with some 1,300 charity members.

Fagan succeeds Charley Shimanski, who left last fall to become head of the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross. Shimanski replaced Christine Benero, who is now president and CEO of Mile High United Way.

Sharon Knight, vice president and COO, has been filling in as leader of the CNA since Shimanski left.

Fagan for the last two years has been state director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, who recently became secretary of the Interior. He oversaw Salazar’s Colorado staff and offices.

Previously the Colorado native was head of the Colorado Department of Revenue, deputy attorney general, and a state legislator.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Northwestern University.

“It is a privilege to have this opportunity to lead the Colorado Nonprofit Association,” Fagan said in a statement Thursday. “I’m eager to continue the organization’s remarkable work. I’m committed to helping Colorado’s nonprofits handle the ramifications of today’s economy, and encouraging Coloradans to give more in order to help nonprofits continue their crucial efforts to improve life in our state.”

“Renny is exceptionally qualified to enhance the incredible work already being done by the Association, and will drive the organization’s leadership and efforts to the next level as Colorado’s nonprofits face new challenges,” Tom Downey, CNA board chairman and president of The Children’s Museum of Denver, said in the statement.

CNA has focused recently on advising Colorado’s 19,000 nonprofit groups on how to cope with the recession.