Brooks Pedder Becomes Chairman of Solano EDC

Article Launched: 12/20/2005 06:29:55 AM

New leader to assume EDC helm

By Amanda Janis/Business Writer

A new chairman and two new board members will be recognized at Solano Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting in January.

Brooks Pedder - currently a Solano EDC vice chair and managing partner of Colliers International in Fairfield - will begin a three-year term as chairman of the board, replacing The Reporter's publisher, Steve Huddleston.

"We're thrilled to have Brooks as our chairman," said Sandy Person, the EDC's vice president. "He really understands economic development and he's on the front line every day, spreading the word about planting your business in Solano County."

Person is referencing Solano EDC's new marketing slogan, which incorporates agriculture's historic role in the county; the new "Plant Your Business in Solano County" campaign will be unveiled officially at the annual meeting.

Marketing, according to Pedder, is one area where they will continue to "push the envelope" next year. "The EDC is Solano's marketing force," he said.

"I'm excited because it's what I do anyway," Pedder explained. "I spend every day - every hour - that I'm not at home talking up Solano County."

EDC president Michael Ammann remarked, "Brooks will be hard at it next year; he's already been a great membership chair for me."

Ammann also said, "We have great volunteers and a couple more coming on board," in reference to nominees Carol Sitzenstatter, senior property manager for Rreef, and Patsy Van Oewerkerk, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union.

Though voting for the new board nominees takes place this week, the slate will be adopted at a special board meeting on Jan. 19, and officially recognized at the Jan. 26 annual meeting.

The annual meeting's theme is "Solano: The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades," and will feature keynote speaker Ian Stuart, partner in the Advisory Group of Colliers International. The luncheon and program at Fairfield's Hilton Garden Inn begins at 11:30 a.m., and costs $40 to attend, or $300 for a table for eight.

Solano EDC is a nonprofit, public-private partnership dedicated to enhancing the county's economic vitality and quality of life through attraction, growth and rention of business and industry.

Amanda Janis can be reached at business@thereporter.com.