Management veteran to lead Business Division

Hardin brings two decades of leadership experience to Department

Denver, May 16, 2011 – Today Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced Michael Hardin as the new Director of the Business and Licensing Division at the Secretary of State’s office. Hardin brings nearly two decades of management experience from the private sector and U.S. Army.

“Our office strives to achieve not only best practices in government but also best practices in private industry,” Gessler said. “Michael brings a wealth of results-oriented management experience focused on budgeting and streamlining organizations. I’m excited to round out my leadership team with someone of his caliber.”

Most recently, Hardin served as CEO of Paradigm Services, LLC, tasked with developing and implementing organizational policies and programs. Hardin helped reduce 82% of Paradigm Services, LLC total debts and initiated effective strategies to improve cash flow.

Prior to that position, Hardin served as Vice President of Operations for ELM Locating and Utility Services in Golden, Colo. and as Senior Director at Utiliquest in Denver. Hardin also served nearly a decade in the U.S. Army as a Quartermaster Officer managing at the Division and Battalion levels. Hardin’s last assignment was as a Battalion Operations Officer for a multifunctional logistics organization.

“I look forward to melding my experience with Secretary Gessler’s bold vision for the office,” Hardin said. “The office faces some exciting opportunities and I’m eager to engage these challenges as part of this management team.”

Since winning office last year, Gessler’s management team has added a strong mix of private sector leaders like Hardin and Chief Administrative Officer Gary Zimmerman to the current management team of Deputy Secretary of State Bill Hobbs, Elections Director Judd Choate and Chief Information Officer Trevor Timmons, who also brings private sector experience as a former IT project lead for Kroger.

Hardin will take over the Director of Business and Licensing post from Tom Downey, currently serving as Director in a temporary capacity. Hardin was selected following a competitive hiring process in accordance with the state’s personnel rules. Hardin will begin May 31.

The Secretary of State’s office oversees 130 employees who handle everything from elections to non-profit regulation. The Business and Licensing Division, with more than 50 employees, is the largest of the office’s four divisions. The division oversees and administers many of Colorado's business and commercial statutes that govern profit and nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, trade names, secured transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code and miscellaneous liens, Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act, Bingo and Raffles Laws and Notaries Public Laws.