The City of Tacoma takes a step forward in its search for a new leader of the Tacoma Economic Development Department (TEDD) Tuesday with the announcement of the three finalists for the position.
City Manager Jim Walton plans to appoint the new director by mid-June.
Following a nationwide search, 24 applications were sent to a community review panel.
Through a process of working with business and community leaders, six of those applicants were selected as semifinalists. The three finalists were chosen following interviews.
The finalists are:
Martha Anderson is the acting director of the Tacoma Economic Development Department, a position she has held since April 2004. Anderson was manager of the Development Division for the department from 1991 through February 2004, and during her tenure she oversaw the Neighborhood Business District Revitalization Program in Tacomas 12 neighborhood business districts.
Ellen Miller-Wolfe is the economic development manager for the City of Bellevue, a position she has held since 1999. Miller-Wolfe manages recruitment and retention of high technology and other companies in Bellevue, and she oversees development of the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center, a nonprofit regional business center focused on underserved minority and women-owned businesses.
Ryan Petty is the president and CEO of the Rockford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rockford Area Council of 100 in Illinois. Petty has held his dual position since 1992, and since 1995 the organizations have announced 40 recruitment wins and 88 local expansions of existing businesses that totaled $535 million in new capital investments.
