LEED CEO David Butler was recently invited to participate in Next Economy as a member of the Steering Committee. In this role, he will strive to provide strategic input and serve as a conduit for LEED board members and as leaders in their respective organizations.
Recently, Next Economy was launched in August by LEED’s partner organizations, The Metro Chamber, SACTO, SARTA and Valley Vision, and is intended to develop a regional economic development strategy, leveraging economic clusters in which the Capital region has a competitive advantage and are most likely to create additional economic activity, wealth and jobs.
Working as the Capital Area P-20 Council, LEED is well positioned to leverage its work and the work of its partners to “fuel” the Next Economy by doing what LEED does best: “aligning education to advance regional economic objectives.” Many in attendance at a Next Economy Forum in west Sacramento November 15 noted that effective K-12 and post secondary education, workforce skills, innovation and entrepreneurism were all identified as critical elements of a quality education system necessary for a high performing regional economy.
“This is an ideal time for LEED to be developing and implementing its 2012-14 strategic plan,” said Butler. “Through our ability to establish region-wide goals for high school graduation, post-secondary enrollment and degree completion, align them with the outcomes of Next Economy and benchmark them against other regions in California and the nation, we will play a key role in re-positioning the Capital Region with a distinct competitive advantage,” he continued.
Additional Next Economy Forums are scheduled for February 17 and May 4. LEED is planning to showcase preliminary outcomes from Next Economy at its May 11, 2012 Convergence event.
For additional information, visit Valley Vision’s website at www.valleyvision.org
Related materials: November 15, 2011 Next Economy Presentation