East Bay EDA Annual Board of Directors' Retreat

Ohlone College Newark Center for Health Sciences and Technology,

39399 Cherry Street, Newark CA

Major Sponsor: Ohlone College Newark Center for Health Sciences and Technology

Note: Larger images may be viewed by clicking on the photograph

 The Retreat program began with a welcome by David W. Smith, the Mayor of the City of Newark.

 Keith Carson, Alameda County Board of Supervisors and the Chairperson of East Bay EDA, gave an introduction and overview of the retreat.

 Jerry Nickelsburg, a professor from UCLA Anderson Forecast, addressed the key issues facing an East Bay Economic Recovery - click here to view his presentation slide PDF.

 Dr. Sean Randolph from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute talked about the East Bay and the Bay Area's Economic Recovery Plan. click here.

The results of the election of East Bay EDA Officers were provided by Zack Wasserman, East Bay EDA General Counsel, and Partner, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, as follows:

Chair: Keith Carson, Alameda County Board of Supervisors; First Vice Chair: Mike Brown; Second Vice Chair: Ken Mercer;  Second Vice Chair: Nicole Taylor; and Previous Vice Chair: James Falaschi 

Ken Mercer, the 2nd Vice Chair of East Bay EDA and ValleyCare Health System, overview of East Bay EDA's accomplishments over the past year, and to set the stage for the small group discussions that made up the work session portion of the retreat program.  After Ken's overviews the group broke into five small, officer-lead, groups to discuss East Bay EDA's priorities in the coming year in the areas of Business Development, Workforce Development and Regional Infrastructure.

 Click here for the East Bay EDA Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, as of March 2009

The Business Development discussion was lead by Nicole Taylor, East Bay Community Foundation, assisted by Keith Sutton, East Bay EDA Business Development Director.  Click here to read the background information prepared for this group.

The Workforce Development discussion was lead by Ken Mercer, ValleyCare Health Systems, assisted by Stephanie Brown, Business Development Analyst. Click here to read the background information prepared for this group.

The Regional Infrastructure discussion group was lead by Mike Brown, Morgan Miller Blair, assisted by Bruce Kern, East Bay EDA Executive Director. Click here to read the background information prepared for this group.

Energy, R&D and Global Climate Change discussion group was lead by Keith Carson, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, assisted by Robert Sakai, Technology & Trade Director. Click here to read the background information prepared for this group.

Nicole Taylor gave a report on the Business Development group discussion.

Ken Mercer gave a report on the Workforce Development group and Mike Brown reported on the Regional Infrastructure group discussion.

Keith Carson gave a report on the Energy, R&D and Global Climate Change group discussion.

The excellent facility, with state of the art equipment and plenty of rooms worked very well for this year's retreat.

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