Scott J. Spendlove | President
Scott J. Spendlove, a native of Lakewood, Colo., is an invaluable presence at the Colorado State Capitol for InterMountain’s government relations clients. He assists in developing and implementing legislative strategy and works with legislative leaders and state departments to advocate and influence policy.
At InterMountain, Scott’s lobbying efforts have been focused on the transportation, natural resources, and education arenas. Some of his key clients have included E-470 Public Highway Authority, the Global Automakers, and Union Pacific Railroad. Spendlove also brings a variety of experiences in public outreach and strategic political advocacy, including work for such clients as the Lake Cedar Group of television broadcasters. Spendlove is also a voice-actor, providing narration services for corporate videos, governmental projects, education entities, audio books, and television and radio commercials.
Prior to joining the InterMountain, Scott held several positions in Colorado Governor Bill Owens’ administration, including deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Legislative Liaison and Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor, where he handled political and legislative relations and oversaw the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Most recently, Scott was a program/policy analyst for the Colorado Department of General Support Services, promoting efficiencies and cost savings in state government. Scott also worked on the New Century Colorado project to streamline the state procurement system, reduce bureaucratic overlap, and improve training for the state workforce.
Preceding his tenure in the Owens’ administration, Scott worked in Washington, D.C., for a state legislative nonprofit organization, on energy, water and environmental issues. In this capacity, Spendlove developed and crafted policy as a liaison between the private sector and state legislative members. Scott has also served as a staff assistant to Congressman Dan Schaefer.
Scott is honored to have served two terms, including one year as board chair, on the Board of Colorado Youth for a Change, which addresses the youth drop-out crisis in Colorado. He served two years as Vice Chair of the Steering Committee for D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School, ranked the #1 public High School in Colorado. He also served as a member of the D’Evelyn Education Foundation non profit Board for two years. Scott is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, and attended Graduate School at Penn State University. In his spare time he crusades against the annoying societal trend of substituting numbers 4 letters. He is active in his son Logan’s Boy Scout Troop, and is married to Jenna. Between the three of them they just manage to keep up with their Newfoundland, Rigel.
Tom Schilling | Chairman/Senior Strategic Counselor
Tom Schilling has more than 40 years of combined experience in daily journalism, government service and public affairs management. With a unique, multi-disciplinary approach, he teams with executive-level management to manage issues and controversial projects.
Tom’s client work has focused on high-profile and often controversial infrastructure development projects for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Regional Transportation District (RTD), including the FasTracks rapid-transit program and major planning projects on Interstate 70 and Interstate 25 in Colorado. Tom played a critical role in securing final federal approval for two controversial CDOT projects, as well as two of RTD’s FasTracks corridors.
Additionally, he has served as a strategic communications consultant to such Colorado corporate leaders as StorageTek, Western Union, U.S. Bank, Union Pacific Railroad and Piper Jaffray.
Relying upon his 15 years of experience as a political and business reporter at major metropolitan newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune and the Rocky Mountain News, Tom shapes messages to “tell stories” that resonate with the public. He also draws upon his extensive experience in Colorado state government, where he was a leader in Governor Roy Romer’s successful economic development program.
Tom has conducted rigorous media and presentation training sessions for private sector clients such as Western Union, StorageTek and McKesson, as well as for high-ranking staff from public entities such as the Denver departments of Human Services, Public Works, Parks and Environmental Health. Most recently, he helped prepare Colorado’s “marijuana czar” for a 60 MINUTES interview. He has also managed media crises for nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.
Tom is active in public service. Governors Bill Owens and John Hickenlooper appointed him to the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College, where he served as chair, and recently completed his second term. Then-Mayor John Hickenlooper also appointed him to serve on the Denver Board of Human Services. Tom also has served on the boards of Urban Peak, Colorado’s licensed shelter for homeless and runaway youth, and Metro Denver Big Brothers. Tom is pleased to have recently joined the Board of the Spring Institute, providing services and programming to immigrant and refugee populations.
Jenna Jones Spendlove Non Profit/ Business Consulting
Jenna Spendlove’s experience covers over 20 years of fundraising and event planning for a wide variety of organizations and individuals. She thrives in team environments, and working for a ‘cause’ to make the world a better place. To that end, she worked on behalf of ALS/Never Surrender to promote modernization of ALS research techniques. Jenna has also worked for the Water Education Colorado and the Colorado Water Wise Council, increasing awareness of important water issues. Additionally she assisted with meeting and conference coordination for the Colorado Banker’s Association.
Jenna has planned and coordinated events of all sizes, from small school related parties up to Presidential Balls and receptions. She prides herself on responsibility, integrity, confidentiality and commitment to her client’s organizations. She wants things ‘crisp and clean’ and will stress over the smallest of details to make sure everything is perfect. She is highly skilled at working with multiple stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, VIP’s elected officials, vendors, Boards of Directors, and major donors.
Jenna is the owner entrepreneur of Revolutionary Remedies Health and Wellness, and a certified DoTERRA Essential Oils Wellness Advocate. She has served on the Board of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway organization, dedicated to education and clean-up of the greenway. She was recently recognized as a Top Fan by the Ohio State Buckeye’s Facebook page. She is a fanatic college football, Colorado Rockies and NASCAR fan, but saves her loudest cheers for her son’s State Championship winning Marching Band.
Josephine M. Colacci, Esq Association Manager/ Senior Government Relations Officer
Josephine M. Colacci, Esq. has over 15 years of non-profit association health care related government affairs experience representing medical doctors, nurses, and central service technicians. Additionally, she has experience representing financial planners. She regularly tracks and analyzes legislation and regulation in multiple states and at the federal level.
Her multi-state government affairs experience includes lobbying in the Colorado General Assembly and creating and revamping government affairs departments for national and international non-profits. She hires and manages lobbyists in multiple states, which has resulted in passage of legislation in numerous states.
Her federal government affairs experience includes meeting with commissioners of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and members of Congress. In addition, she has experience supporting events of political action committees.
Josephine’s association management experience started as Executive Director for a Colorado non-profit of medical doctors and other health care practitioners, where she managed the association from recruiting new members to creating state-wide public policy forums.
Her entire career has been spent working with non-profit Boards of Directors and advocacy committees. She regularly presents advocacy strategies to Boards of Directors along with providing subject matter expertise in the development of associations’ strategic plans.
Her passion for public policy shines through during speaking engagements on public policy issues, where she has spoken before 1,500 people.
Colacci is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a law degree from the University of Denver, Strum College of Law. Colacci is a licensed attorney in Colorado, Washington, D.C. and Wyoming.
Colacci has been a volunteer for Colorado Legal Services since 2005. She serves on the City of Golden, Colorado’s Economic Development Commission and is a board member of the Golden Urban Renewal Authority.
Josephine is married to Eric T. Wolf, Ph.D, scientist at the University of Colorado, and they live in Golden, Colorado with their giant schnauzer, Olive. Josephine enjoys cross country skiing, hiking, and yoga. She is a proud season ticket holder of the Buffalo Bills.