The Bay Area Network

Featured Volunteer Leaders

Meet Chris Florez

Hello DU Friends! My name is Chris, I graduated from DU in ’19 from our DCB. As a student, I helped found our 1GenU community, DU Student Foundation, and also participated in Club Sports! Coming home to the Bay Area has been nothing short of amazing and I cannot wait to meet all you new friends! I currently live in San Jose with my partner Allie our two wonderful dogs, Artie and Milo.

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Meet Jared Casner

Hello! I recently cofounded Blacksmith InfoSec where we built a simple SaaS application to help SMBs get their security program started. Prior to this, I was the CTO at Trayt Health. Outside of work, I volunteer with DU,  the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Cub Scouts. I am very into sports, both as a player and as a coach for my kids' soccer, basketball, and softball teams. I graduated from DU in ’04 and received my MBA from CU in '08. I live in the Bay Area with my wife Lisa and our 2 daughters.  

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Meet Lindsay Rodgers

Hello all! I graduated with my MAcc degree from DU and am a CPA. I am currently the Accounting Manager for threadUp her in the Bay Area, which I have called home for the past few years. I enjoyed my time as a DU student and enjoy giving back through serving as a Bay Area Network Leader and a Cat Caretaker. Whether you are new to the Bat Area or been here for over 30 years, always up to connect as this city has one of the strongest DU Networks. 

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Staff Leader

Meet Brent Thompson

Director of Regional Engagement

Brent helps guide strategy and execute engagement efforts of all alumni, families, parents and friends across the country and in select international networks as well as develops a programmatic portfolio for the regions in collaboration with Denver-based advancement team. Brent's goal is to create a culture of lifelong engagement and volunteerism among constituents in the regional markets and networks that builds our pipeline for campaign philanthropy and long-term engagement for the University's Global Network. 

Brent has served in a number of different roles throughout his 17-year career in higher education for the University of Oklahoma, University of Texas system and now with the University of Denver. He is also adjunct faculty for the Executive Education in Daniels. Brent has worked in several different capacities including employer relations, career development, accreditation, and alumni engagement. Brent is a proud University of Denver and University of Oklahoma graduate and his entire wardrobe is crimson!

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Meet Ross Williams

Senior Director of Development, Western Region

Ross Williams joined the DU Advancement team as a Regional Director of Development in February of 2022, focusing on growing philanthropic partnerships with our partners in the western states. Ross looks forward to learning more about our alumni and friends from across the west in the coming months and years ahead. He leads the Regional Development team and its philanthropic strategy.

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