
The Mizel Institute Annual Dinner, one of the largest community fundraisers in Colorado, draws guests in the thousands, who represent a wide array of community leaders in government, business, education and philanthropy. Funds raised from the dinner support the work of the Mizel Institute’s two centers, the Mizel Museum and the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), whose valuable programs empower individuals to become civically engaged in promoting social justice and enhancing public safety.
The 2018 Community Enrichment Award was given to John Ikard, former CEO of FirstBank, is an active community leader who currently serves as the chairman of Colorado Concern. John started with FirstBank in 1981 and was elected president and CEO of FirstBank Holding Company in 1999. In early 2017, after 35 years with the company, the last 17 years as CEO, Ikard stepped down as CEO but continues to serve on the FirstBank Board of Directors. John also served as past chairman of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Area Boy Scout Council and Denver Economic Development Corporation.
The Humanitarian award was also presented to Bill Vollbracht, a surprise addition and first-time event in the program.
The Mizel Institute Annual Dinner, one of the largest community fundraisers in Colorado, draws guests in the thousands, who represent a wide array of community leaders in government, business, education and philanthropy. Funds raised from the dinner support the work of the Mizel Institute’s two centers, the Mizel Museum and the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), whose valuable programs empower individuals to become civically engaged in promoting social justice and enhancing public safety.
- Steve Schuck, left, Joy Burns and Daniel Ritchie (committee member)
- Cpt Ross Riley, left, Batt. Chief Rich Solomon, Fire Chief Matt Hilinski and Batt. Chief Gordon Daniel
- Jon Caldara, left, and Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers
- Steve and Donna House, left, with Lora Thomas, Douglas County Commissioner
- Rep Hugh McKean, left, Rep Perry Buck, Rep Lori Saine, Casper Stockham, Colt Simmons
- Norm Brownstein (happy birthday!), left, Lynda Johnson, Karen Ikard and Bill Johnson
- Mark Truax, left, Kelsey Dunigan, Lynn and Jesse Granger
- Craig Fleishman and Bobbi Rankin
- Michael Ditchfield, left, and Mike Pasquarella
- Mark Wong, left, Chuck Pellock, Jackie Wong
- Nick Koncilja, left, Adam Sands, Bruce Alexander and Richard Wham
- Sue and Harvey Allon
- Max Segall and his dad Alby Segall
- Geoff Barker, left, and Greg Watson
- Rick Litton, left, John Heaney, Randy Reid and Doug Paul
- Harvey Allon and his sister Jane Cuddehe
- Bernard Douthit, left, Casper Stockham, Mark Truax and Kelsey Dunigan
- Marcy and Bruce Benson
- Carol Mizel, left, Elisa McKee and Shane Reynolds
- Carol Mizel and Elisa McKee
- John Zakhem, left, Peter Burg, Nick Fogel and Jake Burg
- Emily and Owen Hill, left, and Garin and Chad Vorthmann
- Melissa and Mark Harrison, left, with Joan and Thierry Simondet and Annette and Bill Schmidt
- Robert Sullivan, left, Tyler Messner, Rachel and Corey McKiernan
- Marcus Pachner, left, Adam Paul (Mayor of Lakewood), Emily Hauber
- Janet Manning, left, Natalie and Anthony Russo and Bob Manning
- Irene Zimmer, left, Jack Sullivan, Mark Dismuke, Michael Ditchfield, Amy Dismuke
- Cara and Mike Schaarschmidt
- Lisa Williams and Dr. Larry Spivak
- Aaron and Jennifer Prom, left, Greg Kahler, Bryce Ady
- Doug Tisdale (RTD board chair), left, Kathy and Bob Golden
- Rep Patrick Neville, left, and Rep Justin Everett
- Mike Baldwin, left, Diane Smethills, Sara Zare
- Ryan Lantz, left, Dave Lemnah and Peter Kudla
- Mario Nocifera, left, and Bradley Joseph
- Dianne Eddolls, left, Ed Greene and Angela Lieurance
- Kiayn and Kyle Conner, left, with Texie and Scott Lowery
- Allie Coppeak, left, Pietro Simonetti, Merry Logan
- Nicole Johnston (Aurora councilmember), left, and Sarah Mercer
- Marti Whitmore, left, Doug Robinson, Rep Polly Lawrence and Jim Whitmore
- Dr Pegi and Michael Touff, left, Ellen Premack and Pat Hamill
- Governor John Hickenlooper, left, Rick Sapkin, Doug Friednash, Nicole Malo, Mayor Michael Hancock, Sherri Loelbel, honoree John Ikard and Buz Koelbel
- Laury Edwards, left, Jane Hoefs and Beth Petty
- Secretary of State Wayne Williams, left, Ken Toltz and Rebecca Cranston
- Julie Duvall, left, Pat Meyers, Lt Kevin Eding, Adjutant General Mike Loh, Robert White (Chief, Denver PD), Diane Loh
- Dick Robinson and Paula Herzmark (John Ikard joked in his speech about “coming back as Dick Robinson”)
- Lt Governor Donna Lynne, left, and Rollie Jordan
- Tomasz Skotnicki, honorary consul of the Republic of Poland
- Governor John and Robin Hickenlooper, left, with Meredith and Roger Huston (committee)
- Honoree John Ikard and his wife Karen
- Cantor Martin Goldstein sang the Israeli Hatikvah
- Father John Fitzgibbons, left, and Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky gave the invocation/blessings
- Governor John Hickenlooper has been the emcee of this event for 14 years
- Governor John Hickenlooper talks about the Cell
- Sponsor Kent Thiry
- Mayor Michael Hancock welcomes everyone (Hazel Miller in the background)
- Hazel Miller sang some wonderful tribute songs
- Hazel Miller knows how to sing a ballad
- Larry Mizel thanks everyone
- Bill and Leslie Vollbracht listen as Bill receives the Humanitarian Award
- Military service personnel in procession
- Military service personnel in procession
- John Ikard is presented with an honorary flag
- Chris Daniels joined in to the tribute songs
- Honoree John Ikard smiles as he accepts his award
- John Ikard makes a few points as Larry Mizel listens
- John Ikard thanked everyone for the honor
- John Ikard accepts his Community Enrichment Award
- John Ikard on stage in front of the 2,000+ attendees