Washington board appoints CEI administrator as its executive director
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The following is a news release from the Benton Franklin Council of Governments.
IDAHO FALLS – The Benton Franklin Council of Governments announced the appointment of Michelle Holt as its new Executive Director. The BFCG Board ratified Ms. Holt’s contract Friday morning, after a four-month recruitment process. She will begin her duties on February 15, 2021.
She succeeds Stephanie Seamans, who served BFCG as Executive Director and Community and Economic Development Manager.
“I am delighted to have Michelle coming on board to be our next Executive Director,” said Board President Skip Novakovich.
“She has extensive experience working in issue areas that are relevant to the BFCG, particularly economic development,” added Mr. Novakovich, who is also a Commissioner for the Port of Kennewick. “She has a proven track record working in cooperation with multiple municipal, state, and federal organizations to further the needs of the region in which she is serving.”
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Ms. Holt is currently the Executive Director, Workforce Training and Continuing Education for the College of Eastern Idaho, a position she has held since December 2016. Prior to this, she served the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Snake River Territory Convention & Visitors Bureau as CEO for four years, and Lost Rivers Economic Development, Inc. for eight years as Executive Director.
Ms. Holt is looking forward to joining the BFCG team and making a home in the Tri-Cities. “I am excited to get to know the communities that make up the Benton-Franklin service area and to support the continued growth and economic vitality of the region.”
Established as a voluntary association of the units of local government in a two-county region in 1966, BFCG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Kennewick-Pasco Richland and West Richland metropolitan area located in Benton and Franklin counties and the Burbank area of Walla Walla county. BFCG is also the Regional Transportation Planning Organization designated by the state of Washington for an area encompassing almost 300,000 people and is the region’s designated Economic Development District.
BFCG is comprised of 17 member organizations and provides a variety of services, including transportation planning, economic and community development planning, loan programs, and administrative contract services for other entities such as public facilities districts.