Background

Denise was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was one of three women to earn a degree in wildlife biology in her graduating class from Cornell University. Two weeks later she became the first woman professional hired by the US Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM). She also has an MPA (Organizational Behavior) from University of Southern California and a certificate in economics from Berkeley

Denise’s career is highlighted in two of her books:

Thoughts While Chillin’  about her early life and government career

The Year a Roof Rat Ate My Dishwasher:   An Arizona Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs-her new book deals with the business and non-profit worlds of Arizona

PURCHASE EITHER OR BOTH BOOKS TODAY ON AMAZON.COM. HAVE THEM IN 2 DAYS IF YOU HAVE AMAZON PRIME!

START WITH READING THOUGHTS WHILE CHILLIN’

Government, Budgeting & Land Management

Denise served in six states & DC twice, managing everything from wildlife to wild horses, oil & gas, coal, realty & recreation. She rose to be the top careerist in BLM as the first woman Deputy Director in DC. Denise finished her career as the Arizona director, upgrading all campgrounds & RV parks, designating five national monuments, returning condors to Arizona and bass fishing to Lake Havasu.

Business Development

Denise has extensive experience in business management. She founded the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce & the Arizona Tourism Alliance. She served on the original Arizona Sports & Tourism Board and played a key role in approval of the University of Phoenix Stadium. DMCI has had innumerable  public relations contracts with cities, private companies & individuals, including handling outreach for Sky Harbor Airport.

Sports has been a major focus for Denise. In addition to her work on the stadium, she founded the 14-yr-old non-profit Linking Sports & Communities; cooperated with ASU & others on various sports events; and written innumerable articles. She has collaborated with all the professional teams and NASCAR in Phoenix.

Media & Communications

Denise’s forte is communications.  She teaches online communications & leadership courses for Cornell, and live sports marketing classes for ASU. Denise has been been a part-time 

journalist for 20 years, writing for the Phoenix Business Journal, Arizona Republic, Examiner.com and many other magazines & publications. Denise helps companies with recruitment and helps individuals and businesses with media relations.

Awards

In 2017, Denise has most recently been awarded an Outstanding Woman in Business award and a Phoenix Award in Consulting Services. Past awards have included:  Top 100 Phoenix Leaders; Valley’s Most Influential-Phoenix Business Journal; (First-ever) Bureau of Land Management Legends Award 2002; Minority Business Advocate of the Year 2000;  SBA’s Vision Award for Minority Business Development; YMCA Entrepreneur of the Year 2001;  NeverStop Award 2016.