Robert L. "Bob" Crider was elected Denver's twenty-second City Auditor in May of 1991 and held office from July 1, 1991 until July 1, 1995.
Bob Crider's early professional career is deeply rooted in the food service industry where he excelled. He served from 1971 through 1984 as a Regional Manager for the Pierce Packing Company, managing a statewide region in wholesale meat sales. From 1984 through 1987, Crider was a Factory Representative with Farmstead Foods and managed a 3-state region, introducing food new product lines. In 1987, he moved to the Rose Packing Company as a Sales Representative for a 5-state region, increasing wholesale meat sales from 650,000 to over 2 million pounds per year. In 1988, Mr. Crider received the "Salesman of the Year" award for his efforts and initiative. He remained with Rose Packing until 1991.
Bob Crider began his political career in 1971, when he was elected to the Denver Public School Board. He served as a school board member for 12 years. During his tenure on the DPS Board, Mr. Crider held the position of Chairman of the Denver Public Schools Employee's Pension and Benefits Association Investment Committee and was President of the Board of Education from 1981 to 1983.
Mr. Crider was elected Denver City Councilman At Large in 1979, serving simultaneously on City Council and the DPS Board for four years. Crider was elected to three consecutive council terms. While Councilman At Large, he held the positions of Budget And Finance Committee Chairman from 1983 to 1987, Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairman form 1987 to 1991, General Government Committee Vice-Chairman from 1987 to 1991, and Urban Drainage and Flood Control Board Member from 1987 to 1991. Mr. Crider's time on City Council was highlighted when he served as Council President from 1985 to 1986.
During his tenure as City Auditor, Bob Crider established a satellite office at the Denver International Airport Construction site in order to facilitate greater enforcement of prevailing wage rules on the project, as well as more direct oversight of design and construction contract compliance. Mr. Crider also carried on with enforcing the City's then recently adopted prompt pay ordinance, ensuring vendors a timely turn-around for payment of goods and services.
Following his term as Auditor, and a spirited but unsuccessful 1995 Mayoral run, Mr. Crider returned to the sales and marketing industry as Rocky Mountain Regional Manager for the Rose Packing Company. In early 1999, the former Auditor and his wife Judith moved to the wonderful Arkansas River Valley town of Canon City, where Mr. Crider served as Director of Marketing for the Fremont National Bank. He continues in his professional career and in pursuing some favorite pastimes: golf, fishing, reading history, and travel.
Over the years, Bob Crider received several awards and community recognitions including The American Subcontractor's Open Door Award in 1994, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau's Ed Hirschfeld Award in 1991, the 1985 American Labor Award from the IATSE Local 7, the Denver Public Schools' Award for Meritorious Service in 1982, and the Denver Classroom Teacher's Association Outstanding Contributions Award, as well as the Colorado Association of School Boards' State Honor Roll Award, also in 1982.
Born in Denver, Mr. Crider attended Adams City High School and the University of Denver. He later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is married and has four adult children.