Joe Blake
Chancellor – Colorado State University System
Joe Blake is Chancellor of the Colorado State University System and oversees its three distinct institutions: CSU, CSU-Pueblo and CSU-Global, the first public university created to provide 100% online degree programs.
The CSU System has an operating budget in excess of $900 million with annual research expenditures of more than $330 million.
As chancellor, he manages the System's legislative operations, serves as the chief spokesperson for the System, and works to increase the level of engagement among CSU's 115,000 alumni statewide. One of his top priorities is to help provide necessary statewide leadership to find sustainable funding for public higher education.
A Colorado native, Joe was the President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for nearly a decade. For nearly 20 years prior to his leadership of the Chamber, Blake was part of the Senior Management Team that created the community of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, home today for nearly 100,000 residents.
He has been a Special Agent of the FBI, an attorney, Legislative Assistant for former U.S. Senator Gordon Allott (R-Colorado) and H.U.D. Region 8 Administrator. He also served on the Colorado Baseball Commission, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (Chair), and the Colorado Transportation Commission (Chair).
His commitment to Colorado was highlighted in 2005 when Joe served as co-chair of the statewide Yes on Referenda C and D campaign. Voters passed Referenda C to allow the State of Colorado to retain revenues for higher education, transportation and health care over a five year period.
His past and present community service includes: President of the Hospice of St. John, Trustee Emeritus of the Denver Zoological Foundation, the Denver Metro Chamber Board of Directors, The Denver Foundation Board of Trustees and the Denver Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors.
In recognition of his community service, he has received numerous awards: the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, the American Jewish Committee National Human Relations Award, the Henry M. Porter Award for Community Leadership, an honorary doctorate of business administration from Johnson and Wales University, and the Metro Volunteers Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is a graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A., English Literature) and the University of Colorado School of Law (Juris Doctorate). He resides in Denver and is the father of two, and the grandfather of four.