KIM JORDAN
Before entering the brewing industry, Kim Jordan worked widely varying jobs, including being a bird surveyor and small mammal trapper for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a caretaker of a racehorse ranch, and a school bus driver. In 1991, she co-founded New Belgium Brewing Company and officially became CEO 10 years later as operations grew.
As CEO, Jordan developed New Belgium into one of the nation's most well-respected craft breweries and innovative businesses. With an approach of thinking about externalities and how they wanted to show up in the world, she put a significant amount of focus on environmental footprint and how the company could share equity with all employees. Establishing New Belgium as a role model for other businesses was a core value for Jordan as the company continued to grow. When Jordan sold the company in 2019 to The Lion-Kirin group of breweries, her co-workers collectively garnered nearly twice the value she and her family received.
Jordan and New Belgium have become Fort Collins staples. As an avid community of cyclists, New Belgium started the Tour de Fat, an annual Fort Collins tradition featuring a bicycle parade and party at the Brewery, which raises money for local non-profits. Jordan is heavily involved in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees over the years, including The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, The Brewers Association Board, and The Governors Renewable Energy Authority Board. In 2013, Jordan and her family launched the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation as a way to continue to express their commitment to change on social and environmental issues through mission-aligned, impactful investing and philanthropy.
Jordan has been honored with numerous awards, including the Colorado Governors Citizenship Medal for Growth and Innovation in 2016, the Brewers Association Recognition Award in 2019, and the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Conservation Achievement Award in 2021.
As CEO, Jordan developed New Belgium into one of the nation's most well-respected craft breweries and innovative businesses. With an approach of thinking about externalities and how they wanted to show up in the world, she put a significant amount of focus on environmental footprint and how the company could share equity with all employees. Establishing New Belgium as a role model for other businesses was a core value for Jordan as the company continued to grow. When Jordan sold the company in 2019 to The Lion-Kirin group of breweries, her co-workers collectively garnered nearly twice the value she and her family received.
Jordan and New Belgium have become Fort Collins staples. As an avid community of cyclists, New Belgium started the Tour de Fat, an annual Fort Collins tradition featuring a bicycle parade and party at the Brewery, which raises money for local non-profits. Jordan is heavily involved in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees over the years, including The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, The Brewers Association Board, and The Governors Renewable Energy Authority Board. In 2013, Jordan and her family launched the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation as a way to continue to express their commitment to change on social and environmental issues through mission-aligned, impactful investing and philanthropy.
Jordan has been honored with numerous awards, including the Colorado Governors Citizenship Medal for Growth and Innovation in 2016, the Brewers Association Recognition Award in 2019, and the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Conservation Achievement Award in 2021.