Arvada Press: Jean Gordon named Interim Executive Director of Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District
Arvada Press | Rylee Dunn | April 20, 2026
Visit Arvada Executive Director Jean Gordon will be wearing many hats for the next few months, as Gordon was named the interim executive director of the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District on April 14. Gordon will serve in both roles concurrently.
The Olde Town BID has not had an executive director since the death of Joe Hengstler last September. Hengstler, known by many as the “Mayor of Olde Town,” headed up the BID from 2018 until his passing.
Gordon said that the familiarity she has with the Olde Town business community as director of Visit Arvada will allow her to step into her new role with the BID seamlessly.
"I think that obviously made it a lot easier from all levels,” Gordon said. “As director of Visit Arvada, we know the heartbeat of our city is Olde Town, and I have close relationships with so many business owners.
“Olde Town is something that makes this community so unique,” Gordon said. “So, being able now to kind of speak with them, speak to business owners with both hats on is very cool and it’s nice to be able to hit the ground running.”
BID Board Vice President Scott Spears, who owns multiple Olde Town businesses, including School House and Scrumptious, said that the board felt Jean was the best person to carry on Hengstler’s legacy.
“We're all extremely excited for Jean,” Spears said. “We wanted someone who had some knowledge of the trajectory that Olde Time has been going on. Jean had worked very closely with Joe since forever. She knows the area. She understands the area.