Assistant Town Administrator to assume duties November 17

The day that Alisa Darrow was offered the job of assistant town administrator for Wellington, she had a big decision to make. On the same day her boss announced her retirement, making way for Alisa to move up from her current position as deputy city clerk for the city of Boulder.

“It was a crossroads for me,” she said. “I’m completing a masters program in public administration with a concentration in local government from the University of Colorado in Denver. I’ve been trying to decide whether to go into city management or stay in the city clerk area.”

Partly because she was drawn to city management and partly because she has a special affinity for small towns, she chose the Wellington job. Her decision was not made until after she and her husband, Andrew, and son Brayden, 10, spent a weekend in Wellington becoming familiar with the town. They liked what they saw so much that they are seriously considering a move to town in the near future.

She and her family now live in Longmont. Andrew commutes to Colorado State University where he is working on a degree in civil engineering.

Darrow’s job description indicates that she’ll be involved in several areas of town government when she assumes her new position on November 17. Currently she’s committed to her job in Boulder through the election.

Duties listed for her new job include human resources, the library, recreation, grants and some involvement with economic development. She’s anxious to work with town administrator Larry Lorentzen whose reputation as a skillful mentor and “good guy to work for” was a factor in Darrow’s decision to accept the job.

She sees “huge potential” in Wellington and says she can’t wait to get into her job and help the town move forward.

Darrow’s background, in addition to her year as deputy city clerk in Boulder, include business analyst, public works, natural resources and strategic planning for the city of Longmont between 2007 and 2013. Prior to that she worked as a loan officer, financial analyst and bookkeeper. She has a B.A. in history from the University of Colorado, Boulder and has had specialized training is water issues and mediation.

Darrow volunteers at Presbyterian St. Lukes Hospital Rocky Mountain Blood Cancer Institute in Denver, enjoys quilting and any kind of travel, even if it occurs through the pages of a book.

“I’m over the moon about my new job,” she admits. “I couldn’t be more excited.”