SSTI Digest

Jill Felix, chief executive officer of the University City Science Center in Philadelphia, has announced she is stepping down.

Marye Ann Fox, chancellor of North Carolina State University, is moving on to become chancellor of the University of California, San Diego.

Don Gentry, vice provost for engagement at Purdue University, has announced his retirement.

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has appointed Jim Hagen to serve as secretary of the governor's Office of Economic Development.

Pam Inmann is the new executive director of the Western Governors Association.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appointed Ranch Kimball to serve as his new economic development secretary.

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development announced the following three staff appointments: Leigh McIntosh was named special projects director, Katherine Needham is a new senior vice president, and Roger Cranville will serve as senior vice president of business investment for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

Nancy Stark has left the National Center for Small Communities to direct the new Rural Governance Initiative, a joint venture of the Rural Policy Research Institute and the Corporation for Enterprise Development.

Brian Vogt is the new director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade in the Colorado Office of the Governor.

The Association of American Universities has named Pat White to serve as director of federal relations.

Washington Gov. Gary Locke appointed Juli Wilkerson to serve as director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, replacing Martha Choe, who is now serving as state coordinator for the Boeing 7E7 project.

Shortly after a General Assembly vote last week, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell announced the bipartisan approval of the remaining components to the state’s economic stimulus package. The governor's plan is intended to fuel major new investment in communities across the state.

Eight final programs were approved by the General Assembly, adding to the previous five that were passed in December 2003 and February 2004. The passage of all components of Pennsylvania's stimulus package calls for more than $2 billion in investment to attract at least another $5 billion in private investments for community revitalization, site preparation, infrastructure improvement and construction, and businesses. The investments will focus on high-growth companies and provide resources to allow traditional industries such as manufacturing access to new technologies in order to enhance productivity, according to the Department of Community and Economic Development.