From the EDAWN press release:
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada Announces New 2022 Board Members
RENO, Nev. (January 12, 2022) – The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) recently announced the appointment of five new members to their Board of Trustees. The Board provides leadership for carrying out EDAWN’s mission of adding quality jobs to the region by recruiting new companies, supporting the success of existing companies, and assisting newly forming companies, to diversify the economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Sparks.
Joining the Board of Trustees are Kate Franko, Carli West Kinne, Scott Pruneau, Value Quraishi, and Abbi Whitaker.
Kate Franko is the Regional Head of Public Affairs for Google LLC. Prior to working at Google, Kate was the Director of Public Policy at DiDi, the world’s leading mobility technology platform. She worked for the U.S. State Department for nearly eight years in a variety of roles, including a Foreign Service Officer, a Senior Policy Advisor, European and Eurasian Affairs and a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of State. Kate earned a B.S. from Cornell University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
Carli West Kinne is the General Counsel, Mobility Energy Business Division and PENA for Panasonic North America. She has been with Panasonic for nearly four years. Prior to her time at Panasonic, Carli was the Vice President, Chief of Operations and General Counsel for the Nevada Center for Biomedical Research. Carli attended the University of Nevada, Reno, receiving a BA in Journalism and earned her JD at Seattle University School of Law.
Scott Pruneau is the Chief Executive Officer at ITS Logistics, where he is responsible for the strategic and profitable growth of the company. Prior to joining ITS Logistics, Scott served as Chief Business Development Officer for Redwood Logistics, EVP of Operations for Freightquote, President of CRST Logistics and various leadership roles with Knight Transportation and C.H. Robinson. Scott received his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University.
Value Quraishi is the CIO of Value Venture Studio Inc, specializing in starting up, scaling out, and turning around globally distributed game and technology businesses. She is a technology executive who specializes in global scaling, leading pre-seed funding rounds, as well as being a board member and advisor for several companies. Value is also a mentor for innovator accelerator programs and the UNR Innevation Center. She earned her BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Abbi Whitaker is the owner and President of The Abbi Agency, which offers creative marketing and public relations strategies that are customized to target today’s wide variety of social and traditional media networks. Abbi has over 25 years of public relations, public affairs, and marketing experience. Prior to starting her own company, she was Vice President at the Lyman Agency and an account executive with Switchback Public Relations. Abbi earned her BA in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno.
In addition, the 2022 EDAWN Executive Committee members are:
· Len Savage, Savage & Son, Inc. Chair
· Nick Rossi, LP Insurance Vice Chair
· BJ North, Plumas Bank Secretary
· Randy Holleschau, Elemental LED, Inc. Treasurer
· Keith Burrowes, Sierra Integrated Systems, LLC Past Chair
· Eric Brown, Washoe County Local Government Representative
For a complete list of the EDAWN Board of Trustees, click here.
EDAWN also wishes to thank its outgoing board members for their years of service, support and leadership:
· Stuart Brady, Wells Fargo
· Lindsey Ahearn, Forza Talent Partners
· Mike Klaich, Eide Bailly, LLP
· Erin Metscher, OnTrac
· Tony Slonim, Renown Health
“We appreciate the time and support of our departing board members and acknowledge that much of EDAWN’s success is due to their support and active engagement,” said Mike Kazmierski, CEO of EDAWN. “We are excited to welcome our new board members and are so proud of the broad community representation and diversification we have on the board, which is increasingly important as we continue our efforts to grow and diversify the local economy.”
About EDAWN:
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada is a private/public partnership established in 1983. They are committed to adding quality jobs to the region by recruiting new companies, supporting the success of existing companies, and assisting newly forming companies, to diversify the economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Sparks. For more information, visit edawn.org.
Contact:
Mona Byram
Executive Assistant
775.829.3711
Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN)
