Prosperity Partnership Welcomes Three New Co-Chairs: Stephanson, Wakefield and Floyd A key to the Prosperity Partnership's success has been strong leadership from its co-chairs. Representing the business, government, labor, education and nonprofit communities of our region, the Partnership's co-chairs have helped finalize the Regional Economic Strategy, raised awareness about foundational issues for the local economy, and helped to implement key initiatives. As the Prosperity Partnership heads into its fifth year, we are excited to welcome three new co-chairs to our leadership, who will bring new energy and vision to the economic challenges and opportunities that the central Puget Sound faces. Ray Stephanson Jill Wakefield Elson Floyd Two of our new co-chairs - Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson and Seattle Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Jill Wakefield - are replacing their peers, who have moved on to other roles in our community. Mayor Ray Stephanson is the President of the Puget Sound Regional Council and is serving his second term as the Mayor of Everett. He is well known for his fiscal savvy, his role in promoting economic development initiatives for downtown Everett, and his leadership in strengthening the foundations of the aerospace industry. Dr. Jill Wakefield helped grow South Seattle Community College over the last three decades and was instrumental in the opening of their award winning Georgetown campus, which provides apprentice style training in the region's high demand industry cluster jobs. Dr. Wakefield is also the first woman to hold the office of Chancellor of Seattle Community Colleges. We are overjoyed to have them as co-chairs, and are grateful to their predecessors - Executive John Ladenburg and Chancellor Charles Mitchell - for their service. Our newest co-chair is Dr. Elson Floyd, President of the Washington State University (WSU). His addition is a recognition not only of the key role that WSU plays in our region's economy - from education to clean technology to global health - but also of the fact that the success of our region's economy is intricately linked with the rest of Washington. Before coming to WSU, Dr. Floyd served at a number of higher education institutions nationwide and was executive director of the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, the agency responsible for statewide planning, policy analysis and student financial aid programs for Washington's post-secondary education system. With these new leaders, as well as the leadership of our continuing co-chairs, the Prosperity Partnership is well positioned to help our region achieve long-term prosperity. For more information, contact Eric Schinfeld at eschinfeld@psrc.org, 206-971-3053. back to top Prosperity Partnership Releases Guide to Energy-Related ARRA The Prosperity Partnership has developed a beginner’s guide to ARRA entitled: “A Basic Introduction to Energy-Related ARRA Funding Opportunities.” Created to help organizations trying to access ARRA funds – particularly through competitive grants or contracts – the guide has an emphasis on energy-related funding opportunities, but it contains information that is relevant to other interested parties as well. You can download the guide here or visit the Prosperity Partnership’s regional ARRA coordination website’s clean energy page. The next Regional ARRA Coordination meeting will take place at the PSRC on Friday, July 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. CTED will present on ARRA Bond Financing, Loan Guarantee & Tax Credits Presentation, and there will be a panel discussion on monetizing energy efficiency savings. For more information, contact Eric Schinfeld at eschinfeld@psrc.org, 206-971-3053. back to top