Staff

teamwork with vision

Mark Forsyth

RMI2 Chief Executive Director

Prior to joining the Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative in 2007, Mark had nearly three decades of experience as an executive in a large technology corporation, an entrepreneur and a small business owner. He began his career as a microprocessor design engineer with Hewlett Packard in 1978. Prior to leaving HP in 2002 he served as an R&D operations manager responsible for the joint HP/Intel Itanium microprocessor development program and other HP VLSI development programs. Since leaving HP he has been involved with a software startup, a management consulting firm and also owns a small business.

Forsyth brings his passions for technology, entrepreneurship and community contribution to his current role with RMI2. Prior to this position he served as an active volunteer for local entrepreneurship and economic development initiatives. He was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated with a BSEE degree from the University of Minnesota in 1978.

Kelly Peters

RMI2 Chief Operations Officer
In addition to her active role as the Chief Operations Officer of RMI2, Kelly Peters is also the Director of both the Larimer BioScience Cluster as well as the Rocky Mountain Geospatial Cluster. Kelly's primary role is assist with the operations of the initiative and to strategically direct the clusters. Prior to her role with RMI2, Kelly was the Economic Development Manager for the City of Greeley, a Policy and Project Manager for the City of Fort Collins Economic Development Department as well as 7 years in the capacity of Executive Director of Loveland Center for Business Development.  With deep experience in many stages of business development, Kelly's strengths are in marketing and finance.  Sophisticated market research (or Economic Gardening) is Kelly's passion. She holds a BA in Business Administration with and emphasis in Human Resources from Colorado State University and certification in Economic Development Finance from the National Development Council. Kelly is committed to serving the community with an active civic role with former and current board and committee positions with the following organizations; Colorado State Board of Economic Developers, Front Range Economic Gardeners, Larimer County Workforce board, Weld County Workforce board, Loveland Chamber of Commerce board, Workforce Diversity committee, CO Enterprise Fund Advisory board, Northern CO Idea Lab Advisory board, Aims Community College Advisory board, Larimer County United Way, Larimer County SBDC Advisory board and the Northern CO Business Assistance Consortium.  Kelly was recognized by the Northern Colorado Business Report as one of the top 40 business people under the age of 40 making a difference in Northern Colorado in 2004.

 

NicoleFranklin-b-132xweb.jpgNicole Franklin

RMI2 Office Manager
Providing the smooth operation of the day-to-day business of the organization is her primary responsibility, thereby allowing the CEO and COO to function effectively and efficiently.  Her background ranges from client services and recruiting to event management and business operations.  After receiving a science degree from CSU, she entered the workforce with an interest in helping organization grow and streamline.  With RMI2, she is able to be fundamentally involved in the attraction of new innovation to Northern Colorado.