The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) has announced its board of trustees effective January 1, 2012.
This year, EDAWN welcomes 16 new members to the board, which is comprised of private investors and industry experts that will serve a two-year term. The board will also include volunteer community leaders and elected officials, previously members of EDAWN’s Economic Development Council (EDC). The transition from EDAWN’s two governing bodies, the Board of Trustees and the EDC, to a single board stems from last November’s ReCharge Nevada forum, calling for a more unified approach and a new direction in economic development and recovery in the region.
“The smaller board will facilitate the aggressive timeline to develop a regional economic development strategy with an organizational focus on quality job attraction, retention and entrepreneurial job growth,” said Michael Kazmierski, president/CEO of EDAWN.The group meets monthly providing guidance and oversight to the organization.
EDAWN’s new voting members include:
- Jim Breslin, Model Dairy, The Chamber Liaison
- Michael Brown, Barrick Gold Corporation
- Joe Dutra, Kimmie Candy Corporation
- Tom Fitzgerald, Burning Glass, Inc.
- Pat Flynn, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
- Ky Good, C4Cube
- Nancy McCormick, AT&T Nevada, Western Industrial Nevada (WIN) Liaison
- Cloyd Phillips, Community Services Agency
- Mary Simmons, NV Energy
EDAWN’s new designated ex-officio members include
- Dana Bennett, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
- Mayor Robert Cashell, City of Reno
- Mayor Leroy Goodman, City of Fernley
- Marc Johnson, University of Nevada, Reno
- Mayor Geno Martini, City of Sparks
- Dr. Maria Sheehan, Truckee Meadows Community College
- Katy Simon, Washoe County
- Pat Whitten, Storey County
Stephanie Kruse has been named EDAWN’s new Chair of the Board.
Kruse is the president and chief strategist of KPS3 Marketing in Reno. She has more than 30 years of marketing, public relations and advertising experience. Kruse and KPS3 have been actively involved in economic development marketing since the company’s origins in June 1991, after she received her MBA in marketing and organizational strategy from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Prior to starting KPS3, Kruse served as director of marketing for Saint Mary’s Health Network for nine years. In addition, Kruse also has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and theater and is a retired registered nurse.
The EDAWN Board of Trustees list of officers include:
- Chair, Stephanie Kruse, KPS3 Marketing
- Vice Chair, Steve Anderson, RBC Wealth Management
- Secretary, Leigh Goddard, McDonald Carano Wilson, LLP
- Treasurer, Par Tolles, Basin Street Properties
- Immediate Past Chair, Russ Romine, LEGACY Supply Chain Services
- President/CEO, Mike Kazmierski, EDAWN
- Krys Bart, AAE, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
- Michael Dermody, Dermody Properties/DP Partners
- Jim Nadeau, Carrara Nevada
- Jim Newman, Holland & Hart
- Paul Thomsen, Ormat Technologies, Inc.
