Denise Burgess is President and CEO of Burgess Services, Inc., a Denver-based construction management firm. She became the first African American Board Chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce in September 2017. She has been listed in the Top 25 Most Powerful Women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Davide E. Baily Small Business Advocate Award and more.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado, Denise launched a promising career in broadcast management. She was called in 1994 to work alongside her father Clyde Burgess and business mentor until his untimely passing in 2002. Clyde Burgess was the founder of Burgess Heating and Air Conditioning.
Denise’s career skyrocketed after she transitioned her father’s heating and air conditioning business into a nationwide construction management firm. Denise received her certificate in construction management from the University of Denver. Burgess Services’ accomplishments during her tenure include the City and County of Denver Justice Center, the Westin Hotel at Denver International Airport (DEN) and more. Burgess Services was awarded the largest contract ever awarded to a black-owned business — a $39.6 million mechanical contract at DEN. Currently Burgess is building two affordable housing developments with the Montbello Organizing Committee and Metro Caring.
Denise credits her continued support from family, friends, and team as part of her success. As taught by her father, never taking anything for granted, Denise regularly takes time out of her busy schedule to give back to the Denver community both personally and professionally.