The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) recently announced Jennifer Baker has been selected as the next president of the organization.
According to CREDC, Jennifer has an extensive background in economic development in both the U.S. and abroad. She served as a consultant in Ethiopia and Vanuatu where she helped lay the groundwork for economic policymaking and trade negotiations. Jennifer has also spent four years with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. where she lead the Commerce delegation’s involvement in the U.S. – Malaysia Free Trade Agreement. Board chair, Casey Wyckoff said, “we are thrilled to have someone of Jennifer’s caliber lead the organization. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience that will propel the team to new heights. I am confident Jennifer’s leadership will continue the strong momentum toward accomplishing the goals of our Economic Development Plan as we embark on year tow of execution.”
As president, Jennifer will be responsible for the development and execution of CREDC’s strategic direction. She will also oversee administration, staffing, funding, budget, programs, and initiatives. She will also manage business support and recruitment activities. Jennifer has said, “I am thrilled that I was selected to lead the CREDC team. I’m eager to engage with the staff an board members as we position our communities to manage current economic opportunities and future challenges optimally. A considerable amount of effort went into creating the Clark County Comprehensive Economic Development Plan, and there will be much work to do as we continue building out this vision into actionable channels. I pledge to represent CREDC with the high-level of professionalism and polish for which it is reputed, and I look forward to facilitating the strong collaboration and partnerships that help make Clark County an unparalleled place to live, work, and play.”
In addition to the positions listed for Jennifer above, she has also been recognized for her exceptional performance with the Small Business Administration while serving as an advisory board member for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and the Women’s Business Center at Marcy Corps Northwest. Jennifer was peer-nominated in 2017 to chair the Oregon Federal Executive Board of Directors and was honored by the Office of Personnel Management for excellence in leadership. Baker has a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Modern Languages from Pacific University as well as a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies from Monterey Institute of International Studies.
We welcome Jennifer to the community and wish her success in her endeavor.
