Catherine Stanford named VP of Economic Development Board

Economic Development Board President Ed Stern, Councilmember of Poulsbo,

and new Vice-President Catherine Stanford, Deputy Mayor of Lake Forest Park.

Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) Economic Development Board has selected Lake Forest Park Deputy Mayor and Council Chair Catherine Stanford to be its Vice-President.

“I am honored by the selection and I look forward to working on the update to the Regional Economic Strategy. Now, when the economy is doing well, is the time to get a plan in place and prepare for the future,” said Councilmember Stanford in her acceptance of the post.

The regional Economic Development District (EDD) is the federally designated economic development district for the central Puget Sound region covering King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Its members include representatives from private business, local governments, tribes and trade organizations.

At the meeting, Bruce Kendall, board member, President and CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, described Catherine as “A true regionalist, both in her public and private work.” 

Clare Petrich, board member and commissioner for the Port of Tacoma commented that “Catherine is a person that everyone wants to work with.”

Vice-President Stanford will be helping to lead the update to the Regional Economic Strategy and the implementation of the remaining 2015 Action Items. She has been a PSRC Economic Development Board member for seven years, appointed to represent the Sound Cities Association (SCA).

“Significantly, Catherine will be President next year as the region updates its Regional Economic Strategy. We are fortunate to have her leadership as we begin this important work,” said Deanna Dawson, Executive Director of SCA.

Her professional background is in commercial real estate and she currently runs a consulting practice that specializes in public affairs.