Leadership Los Alamos Session Targets Economic Development

Los Alamos Chamber Manager Katy Korkos leads a discussion on business funding at Friday’s Leadership Los Alamos session. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

LANL Budget Officer Aaron Menefee discusses various aspects of the Lab’s budget at Friday’s LLA session. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

David Pesiri, Division Leader, Technology Transfer at LANL gives a presentation Friday. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

STAFF REPORT

Friday’s Leadership Los Alamos (LLA) session at the Research Park focused on Economic Development. Los Alamos Chamber Manager Katy Korkos organized the day-long event, which included speakers such as County Administrator Harry Burgess and Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Budget Officer Aaron Menefee and Technology Transfer Chief David Pesiri.

The purpose of the session was to impart an understanding of economic drivers and factors that influence the local economy. Discussions and presentations focused on the vision of the future, the planning efforts underway, and considered the role that leadership and vision play in moving the community forward.

Korkos told LLA participants that she was proud of the presenters and panelists lined up for the session. 

“Each one of them has authentic experience; none of them is speaking theoretically or academically,” Korkos said. “Economic Development affects all of us – our quality of life depends on it. I attended a Planning & Zoning meeting several years ago where a man who was representing a grocery store chain told the commission, ‘You people are just camping!’ Camping is when you sleep in one place but have to leave to get supplies.’ None of us wants that situation forced on us. So how do we strengthen and support our existing businesses, and smooth the way for growth? Economic Development is comprised of many moving parts, all of which need to come together if anything is going to happen.

“Even though we have a jam-packed agenda today, we’ve had to leave out several pieces of the puzzle. We don’t have time to talk about workforce housing, land transfers and land reform, workforce development and training, the media, or the role of state and federal economic development organizations and incentives.

“In any case, I hope you know that you are going to help the community grow by doing some compassionate thinking about the issues – thinking with your hearts as well as your minds. And I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

John Hofmann wearing his LLA hat, representing the many hats he has worn during his involvement with LLA. Photo by Katy Korkos

Leadership Los Alamos Board Co-Chairs Debbie Huling and Melissa Metcalf recognized and thanked LLA Board Member John Hofmann for his many years of service.

Hofmann began his involvement with LLA as a participant in the 2004-2005 class. Since that time he has been a board member, chair, co-chair, program chair, alumni liasion, web manager, computer setup tech and a walking campaigner for LLA.

Huling describes Hofmann as “the energizer bunny – he just keeps going and giving back to the community.” Hofmann and his wife Sue are planning to leave Los Alamos in December to move back to Kansas City, Mo., to be near their grandchildren.

Leadership Los Alamos is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax exempt organization founded to identify current and emerging leaders in the Los Alamos community, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the local area. To learn more, visit About Leadership Los Alamos.

Denise Wymore of the Keep It Co-op Initiative, Marshall Neel of Main Street Crowd and Matthew Miles of New Mexico Bank and Trust participate in an economic development panel discussion. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

LLA participant Eric Vasquez. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

Members of the 2013-14 Leadership Los Alamos class. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

Pajarito General Manager Tom Long. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

Los Alamos Meeting and Visitor Bureau Manager Mike Lippiatt. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ldailypost.com

Leadership Los Alamos Board member Marc Clay, left, and Leadership Los Alamos Co-Chairs Debbie Huling and Melissa Metcalf recognize John Hofmann for his many contributions to the organization. Photo by Katy Korkos

 

 

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