Since founding Griffis/Blessing, Inc. in 1985, Mr. Blessing has been instrumental in all aspects pertaining to the company's dramatic growth and has directed the acquisition of properties valued at over $1 billion. He is an authority in the real estate field and has extensive expertise in investment strategy and real estate markets. In 1992, Griffis/Blessing was recognized in Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in America.
Mr. Blessing was appointed by Governor Romer to the Colorado Real Estate Commission in 1997 (re-appointed by Governor Owens in 2000) and served on that commission for six years, including two years as its Chairman. In 2009, he was appointed to the Colorado State Land Board by Governor Ritter and currently serves as President of the Board.
Mr. Blessing is active in the Colorado community and is a Director of UMB Bank, a member of the Children's Hospital of Colorado Foundation's Board of Directors and a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). His past involvement includes: President of the Board—and subsequently Co-Chairman of the Capital Campaign—for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Co-Chair of the Pikes Peak United Way Alexis De Toqueville Foundation, Chairman of the Pikes Peak Region Better Business Bureau, President of the Downtown Partnership, Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Board, President of the Southern Colorado Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management, Chairman of the Colorado College Business and Community Alliance, and President of the Business of Arts Center Board. Mr. Blessing has also served as Director or Trustee on several other boards and foundations.
Mr. Blessing's professional and civic recognitions include: Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce "Small Business Person of the Year," and one of Colorado Business Journal's "Colorado Climbers" recognizing "40 New Leaders 40 and Under".
Mr. Blessing graduated from The Colorado College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 2006 he received the Colorado College Business and Community Alliance Partner in Service Award.
