June 2020 – A Journey to Global Health – Douglas Jackson

Featuring Dr. Douglas Jackson
President/CEO, Project C.U.R.E.

Dr. Douglas Jackson, President/CEO of Project C.U.R.E. has travelled around the world. But his journey to addressing public health concerns worldwide has involved more than travel.  It has been a process of education and business experiences that led him to promoting health for many in many countries. 

Project C.U.R.E. is the leading non-profit organization that provides medical supplies and supports around the world.  Each week, Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately four semi-truck loads of donated medical supplies and equipment to desperately needy people around the world.  Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in over 135 countries, while also providing clines and medical teams to partner with hospitals and clinics.  Their programs have supported especially the survival of babies and mothers.  Project C.U.R.E.  has been recognized for its remarkable work, including as one of the top 20 charities in America. 

But Dr. Jackson’s leadership with Project C.U.R.E. started with his own family’s story.  His parents were business people and developers who established Vail and Winter Park resorts.  They accomplished much in business and real estate, but then were determined to give their money away to make an impact in the world.  They established a foundation and then Project C.U.R.E. was started in their garage.  Dr. Jackson now continues their legacy.

His own journey before Project C.U.R.E. started with education and business.  He graduated magna cum laude from Northwest Nazarene University in 1982, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In 1985, he earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in the study of law. In 1992, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and econometrics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, authoring a dissertation on leveraged buyouts and secondary public offerings.   Dr. Jackson is a member of the Alpha Delta Sigma and the Beta Gamma Sigma national honor societies, and recently completed Executive Education at the Stanford University School of Business.

Dr. Jackson has shared his education and business background by teaching and serving in many capacities.   He has led academic institutions.  He has taught at the university level in the disciplines of finance, investments, leadership development, legal and international issues. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer to colleges and universities, conferences such as TEDx, as well as civic, corporate and community organizations. 

June 2020 – Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Philanthropy for the Community – Curt & Nancy Richardson

Featuring Nancy & Curt Richardson
Co-Founders, Blue Ocean Enterprises

Nancy & Curt Richardson are leaders and philanthropists who care deeply about issues and their community.  They serve as Co-Founders of Blue Ocean Enterprises in Fort Collins.  This Colorado-based company founded in 2011 commits capital to promising businesses, strategically invests in commercial real estate, and supports the local community through their philanthropic organization, The Richardson Foundation.

Nancy & Curt’s innovative and philanthropic efforts stem from their business success.  Curt Richardson is founder and chairman of OtterBox®, a Fort Collins, Colorado-based innovator of protective solutions for the leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors.  Established in 1998, OtterBox today has global operations and a range of innovative technologies.

Curt’s life has been marked by an entrepreneurial spirit. He started Curt’s Lawn Service in Denver when he was in 7th grade and owned Genie Plastic Tooling when he was just 21.  In 1981 he launched Richardson Tool and Mold. Richardson also imported molds for Mattel®, Display Technology, and other U.S. companies before turning his focus to creating the first prototype of a waterproof case in the early ’90s.  In 2010, Richardson was named Northern Colorado Business Report’s “Bravo Entrepreneur – Fort Collins” winner and led OtterBox to the Better Business Bureau’s “Torch Award for Business Ethics,” among other honors.

Nancy Richardson graduated from Colorado State University in 1982 with a degree in interior design. She brings her design expertise support of her alma mater to a wide range of projects at CSU and throughout the community.  She has been an adviser for numerous design and multi-disciplinary projects, including the OtterBox campus development at CSU and many other projects for related companies.  She has also been passionate about addressing global concerns, in particular fighting human trafficking. Nancy was instrumental in launching the Northern Colorado Human Trafficking Symposium held in 2017 and 2019 at CSU. She also serves on the Board of Rescue: Freedom, an international anti-trafficking organization.

The Richardsons not only have a heart for entrepreneurship but also for the next generations.  They have dedicated both resources and time to inspiring and developing students and professionals for future leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. The Richardson’s have lived out and exemplified their vision  of “We Grow to Give” through real estate and business investments, entrepreneurship and innovation, that have launched and led local and global opportunities to develop businesses, strengthen communities and inspire future leaders.