Economic Alliance Snohomish County tapped someone with ties to the community and a background in economic development to be the organization’s new president and CEO.
Patrick Pierce, 34, is expected start the new job Jan. 1 guiding the nonprofit that aims to build economic vitality and promote job growth in Snohomish County.
He currently works as a Puget Sound Regional Council economic development program manager in Seattle. Pierce was born and raised in Everett and previously worked for Economic Alliance as a public policy director. He said he has a passion for the county and its well-being and wants to make it a better place to live.
“I’m just excited to carry on the great work of that organization and add some new energy in terms of what we can get done in the region,” Pierce said.
Economic Alliance’s board of trustees are delighted that Pierce will lead the agency, said Chris Knapp, board chair for the nonprofit.
Pierce knows Snohomish County, but has a lot of regional and statewide experience that will be especially valuable as the county faces significant transportation issues in the coming months, Knapp said.
“He’s a hardworking guy who really cares about our community,” Knapp said. “I couldn’t be happier to have Patrick come back to lead the Alliance.”
Pierce replaces Troy McClelland, who left in August to work as senior director of operations for Synrad, a Mukilteo firm that makes industrial lasers.
Pierce, who lives in the North Creek area between Mill Creek and Bothell, has worked since 2013 at the Puget Sound Regional Council, which helps coordinate regional transportation, growth management and economic development policy.
In the job, Pierce focused on public policy, government affairs and building alliances with key leaders in both the private and public sectors.
He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in political science and received a master’s degree of public administration from Seattle University.
“Patrick has been a great contributor to the Puget Sound Regional Council and our activities, he will be missed, but this is a great opportunity for him as he moves forward in his career,” said Josh Brown, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s executive director, in a statement.
Economic Alliance formed in 2011 as a merger between three organizations: the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County, the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to provide a more unified voice for the county in Olympia and Washington, D.C.
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