Photos from Janice Sinden’s introduction as the DCPA’s new President and CEO. Here she is flanked by DCPA Chairman Daniel L. Ritchie, left, and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock at Tuesday’s press conference. To see more images, click the ‘forward’ arrow on the image above.’ Photos by John Moore for the DCPA’s NewsCenter.

Janice Sinden announced her candidacy for the presidency way back in the fifth grade, her mother revealed on Tuesday. Sinden officially attained that goal when she was named the new President and CEO of the Denver Center.

“But she was talking about THE presidency,” Arleen Brown clarified. You know … of the United States?

First things first.

Sinden, 44, was introduced as the DCPA’s new leader at a morning press conference attended by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, DCPA Chairman Daniel L. Ritchie, Denver Police Chief Ronald White, Denver Sheriff Patrick Firman and dozens of city and DCPA staffers.

Sinden has served as Hancock’s Chief of Staff since 2011. And the mayor teased Ritchie and his DCPA colleagues for luring Sinden away.

“I once counted you all as good friends,” Hancock joked. “Once. But you have selected the very best person for this job.”

Read more: Sinden a historic choice for DCPA’s new CEO

Hancock barely knew Sinden when he became mayor five years ago, but he now counts Sinden as both a friend and a partner he could go into the foxhole with. “Who would have thought this young lady from rural Colorado – a Republican – would join this moderate Democrat from the state’s capital and form a team that would not only bind us through the challenges and opportunities of this great city, but also would form a friendship where we would laugh till we busted a gut together?”

Hancock offered the staff of the DCPA a personal sense of what they are getting in Sinden, calling her a hard worker and loyal team player.

“She is going to be the most nurturing, maternal leader you have ever had,” Hancock said, with a warning: “She never sleeps – So don’t expect that you will either. She is everywhere, so try to keep up. She has an insatiable appetite for the details. So come prepared.”

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

For her part, Sinden told the gathered crowd: “We are going to take arts and culture to the next level. We are going to get it into every kiddo’s head that they can be whatever they want to be. Innovation and creativity are what drive our children to be successful, amazing adults.”

Janice Sinden enjoys her big moment on Tuesday, when her appointment as new DCPA CEO was announced. Photo by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.

Here are more comments from Tuesday’s announcement:

Denver Police Chief Robert C. White cited Sinden’s “phenomenal management skills” and listening ear. “I absolutely love Janice Sinden. She has been a godsend to the city, and she has been a great supporter of the police department. And my wife, Valerie, loves the theatre, so I expect I will be spending a lot more time here at the DCPA.”

DCPA Chairman Daniel L. Ritchie: “Frankly, we were blown away by the number of immensely qualified leaders who wanted this job. But after careful consideration, we couldn’t find anybody better suited than Janice Sinden.”

Ginger White-Brunetti, Deputy Director of Denver’s department of Arts and Venues, is heavily involved with The Next Stage, the city’s plan for transforming the Denver Performing Arts Complex into an entertainment destination complete with new performance venues, residential towers, hotels, restaurants and retail. “We are really excited to have a like-minded leader who sees the value in the Next Stage Project and can create a dialogue with both the community and the DCPA’s patrons and board to ensure this project reaches its full potential.”

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock: “This city, and this man, are better because I have worked with one of the greatest in Janice Sinden.”

John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the U.S by American Theatre Magazine in 2011. He has since taken a groundbreaking position as the Denver Center’s Senior Arts Journalist.

Janice Sinden listens to comments from her former boss, Mayor Michael B. Hancock. Photo by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.