Gunnison County is pleased to announce the hiring of April R. Kroner, CEcD, AICP, as the County’s new Assistant County Manager for Community & Economic Development. Kroner begins her role on April 1.

Kroner brings more than 25 years of experience in community planning and economic development, guiding communities through growth, redevelopment, and change in both public and private sectors. She currently serves as Deputy Director of the City of Tempe’s Economic Development Department, where she oversees initiatives related to business retention and attraction, redevelopment, affordable housing partnerships, and strategic investment.

“We are pleased to welcome April to Gunnison County,” said County Manager Matthew Birnie. “Her combination of experience in planning and economic development in both a larger urban setting as well as in smaller Colorado mountain towns is certain to bring a fresh perspective to our work here as we take on major upcoming planning initiatives in the next several years.”

Throughout her career, Kroner has led comprehensive plan updates, modernized land use codes, negotiated redevelopment and incentive agreements, managed brownfield revitalization projects, and worked closely with elected officials, business leaders, and residents to deliver balanced, community-supported outcomes. Her previous Colorado experience in Summit County and the Town of Eagle gives her first-hand knowledge of the unique opportunities and challenges facing mountain communities, including housing pressures, tourism impacts, and economic diversification.

Kroner said her connection to Colorado’s mountain communities played a major role in her decision to join Gunnison County.

“I’ve spent time living and working in mountain communities, and that’s where I feel most at home,” Kroner said. “I’m drawn to the strong sense of identity, pride, and collaboration in places like Gunnison. Professionally, this role is an exciting opportunity to bring together planning, economic development, housing, sustainability, and corridor planning in a way that supports the long-term health of the community.”

She noted that her previous experience working with communities across Colorado and other mountain states has provided valuable insight into what strategies work — and what don’t — when addressing housing needs, tourism pressures, and economic resilience.

“My goal is to listen first, understand what makes Gunnison County unique, and then thoughtfully apply lessons learned from other communities in a way that fits here,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s about being part of the community and helping it thrive.”

Kroner is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Outside of work, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, paddleboarding, running, and spending time outdoors — and she’s also an avid Colorado Avalanche fan. She has three adult children — two sons and a daughter — and is looking forward to making Gunnison County home alongside her two dogs.