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Greater Washington Initiative Gains New Leadership
2007 Board of Trustees Represents Public / Private Collaboration  

WASHINGTON, DC; April, 2007– The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI), the economic development marketing organization representing Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, plus the District of Columbia, has added eleven new trustees to its list of regional leaders, adding to its already strong non-profit board.

The economic development affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade named the following new trustees:

  • John B. Catoe, Jr., General Manager, Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority
  • C. Dan Mote, Jr., President, University of Maryland, College Park
  • Charles W. McPherson, COO, The Facchia Group of Companies, LLC
  • Elizabeth Shea, President & CEO, SpeakerBox Communications
  • William A. Badger, Jr., Vice President / Mid Atlantic – Government Banking, M&T Bank
  • GWI also approved the following replacement trustees for executives rotating off the Board of Trustees:

  • Kwasi Holman, President / CEO, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corp.
  • Hon. Corey A. Stewart, Chairman-At Large, Prince William County Board of Supervisors
  • Robert Simmons, CFO, E*TRADE Financial
  • Hon. Ken Ulma, County Executive, Howard County, MD
  • W. Mac Henderson, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Hon. Richard B. Weldon, Delegate, Maryland House of Representatives
  • “Having a regional economic development organization that brings together leadership from both the public and private sectors is crucial in a growing market such as Greater Washington,” said Samuel Schreiber, GWI’s 2007 Chairman. “The addition of high-ranking public officials and CEO-level private sector representatives to GWI’s board of trustees is a testament to GWI’s reputation as contributing to the region’s growth and prosperity.”

    GWI’s Board of Trustees advises Executive Director Tim Priest on GWI’s annual operating plan and budget, providing direction on target industries for business development, research priorities, and marketing and public relations strategies.

    “We would not be successful in our marketing and economic development efforts without the financial support and strategic input of our local partners,” said Tim Priest. “Greater Washington will only continue to prosper if we are all moving in the same direction.”

    Elizabeth Shea, President & CEO of SpeakerBox Communications and new GWI trustee commented, “At SpeakerBox we are constantly striving to get our clients heard. Participation in GWI is a perfect way to become plugged into the community and help enhance the recognition of the region’s exciting economy.”

    GWI serves Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Saint Mary’s counties in Maryland, including the cities of Bowie, Laurel, and Rockville; Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties in Virginia, including the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Leesburg and Vint Hill; and the District of Columbia.

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    The Greater Washington Initiative ( GWI) is the regional economic development marketing organization that promotes the area encompassing the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland as a top business location. GWI is an affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. For more info, visit www.greaterwashington.org

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    Greater Washington Initiative
    (202) 857-5999