Following a nationwide search, a new Chief Executive Officer has been selected to serve the Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance.
David White, a business development officer from Colorado, was officially confirmed as the organization's newest leader by the Alliance Board of Directors on Tuesday.
“One of the reasons we really liked Dave for this position was due to the incredible level of collaboration and communication we noticed at the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance,” said Jeff Grover, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Seeing how the Business Alliance has created a cluster industry strategy and engaged volunteers from those industries into the day-to-day business of economic development was one of the main reasons we wanted to hire Dave.”
White has spent more than 25 years working in economic development, the last seven as Chief Business Development Officer for the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance. He previously worked for the City of Riverside in a marketing and business development function.
White holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburg. He is married with five children.
White will begin in his new post on Jan. 2. He will replace longtime Alliance CEO Bill Bassitt, who is retiring.
The Alliance is a public-private organization which is responsible for economic and workforce development in the county. The Alliance facilitates corporate relocations, offers business assistance like consulting services and information on obtaining enterprise zone tax credits, and offers training to jobseekers and job placement opportunities.
Though Colorado Springs may have a more attractive brand than Stanislaus County, which often ranks among the worst places in the United States, White said he has been pleasantly surprised with the County.
“Perception does not equal reality. I have visited several communities in the county so far, and I have been very impressed with what this area has to offer,” said White. “There is a sense of an All-American, down-to-earth feel here.”
