Cleave Simpson and John Singletary were appointed trustees for Adams State University by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. Both will serve three-year terms concluding in 2018.
"John and Cleave bring great experience to the ASU Board of trustees. Both are dedicated to preserving and improving access to higher education in Southern Colorado and have already provided many hours of service during the search for my successor," said Dr. David Svaldi, Adams State president.
Simpson is currently the program manager for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District in Alamosa. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado School of Mines in mining engineering in 1984. Simpson, an Alamosa native, worked in Texas and Australia as an engineer. "Cathy, my wife of over 30 years, and I returned to our home town to be close to family and friends." They have one son Jared who recently graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. "I am a third generation San Luis Valley farmer and rancher. I work closely with my dad to manage our family farms and cow herd." He served on the County Land Use Planning Commission, the Farm Service Agency County Committee and local school district Accountability Committees in the past.
"I was born here and graduated high school here," Simpson said. "I understand how important the university is to the Valley, my immediate goal is to assure that the institution maintains its position as a pillar of this community. An objective would be to assure the institution provides an exceptional educational experience for students and produces graduates with the appropriate life skills to succeed in their endeavors, all while improving the connection between the university and the community."
Singletary, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, is a real-estate broker and developer, farmer, and consultant. He served three Colorado governors on a variety of State Commissions, including Parks and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, and COGO. "I am honored to be chosen as Trustee of Adams State. I believe Adams State is an integral asset to the region as a whole, and I look forward to being a part of its long history." Singletary attended CSU-Pueblo for four years. He has been a member of several organizations including the Colorado Cattleman’s Association, Pueblo County Planning and Zoning Commission, Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, and the Farm Bureau. He and his wife of 45 years raised two children while farming and ranching in southeastern Pueblo County. Along with five grandchildren they continue to enjoy the rural lifestyle and outdoor activities.
"I want to make sure Adams State remains a beacon of light for the San Luis Valley and southern Colorado," Singletary said. Having a hometown college enabled Singletary to attend an institution of higher education. He believes Adams State offers the same opportunity for regional students. "Adams State is the heartbeat that keeps the people of the valley together."
