DENVER (AP) – Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock has chosen the head of a group of business executives as his chief of staff.

Hancock said Tuesday that he has appointed 39-year-old Janice Sinden. She is executive director of Colorado Concern, an alliance of more than 100 top executives from across Colorado.

The Denver Post reports Sinden began her career working for former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo. Hancock says he selected Sinden because of her experience with economic development and education issues.

Sinden says she is a fourth-generation Coloradan who grew up in Fort Collins and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. She founded a political and public relations consulting firm.

Hancock easily defeated former Sen. Chris Romer in a runoff election in June and will be sworn in as mayor July 18.

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