LACDC Board Chair Carol A. Clark
Staff Report
The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) Board of Directors has elected new officers including Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark as Chair of the Board. She has served on the LACDC Executive Committee since 2018. Retired Los Alamos National Laboratory manager Bill Wadt is Immediate Past Chair and a founding member of the non-profit organization. Los Alamos Landscaping and More Co-owner Craig Wehner was re-elected Vice Chair, Los Alamos Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Tracie Stratton elected Secretary and Century Bank Vice President Karen Easton re-elected Treasurer.
Immediate Past Board Chair Bill Wadt
The predecessor to the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation was the Los Alamos Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) founded in 1983 by community-minded visionaries, of which Wadt was also a founding member. The LAEDC merged with the Chamber of Commerce in 1999 and became the LACDC. Since that time it has played an important role in the development of the Los Alamos community.
There are few local businesses or organizations that have not been clients, customers or constituents of LACDC’s diverse service offerings; and there are few residents who have not attended or taken part in one of its many community events. A common thread that runs through all that LACDC does is its commitment to helping build a robust business community.
“The mission of the LACDC has always been to promote economic vitality in Los Alamos. I am confident that our new board will continue to expand these opportunities in our community,” Wadt said.
Vice Chair Craig Wehner
About the LACDC:
LACDC’s award-winning Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District program produces and supports downtown events and downtown redevelopment initiatives.
Its Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce facilitates connections – by advocating for economic initiatives to improve the community and help members be visible through networking and promotional initiatives. Its Discover Los Alamos program assists tourists and visitors, and helps local businesses and attractions promote themselves.
Secretary Tracie Stratton
LACDC properties, which include the Los Alamos Research Park, Los Alamos Small Business Center, and projectY cowork Los Alamos, provide places for economic activities to start, grow and succeed in the community.
The LACDC mission is to strengthen the Los Alamos and White Rock business community.
As an independent organization, the LACDC vision is to empower a business community that is collaborative, resilient, diverse, financially healthy, and economically attractive.
Treasurer Karen Easton
The newly elected officers assumed their posts on Monday, July 1, 2024.
“The LACDC is a fine organization dedicated to economic development,” Clark said. “It has been a pleasure serving on its board these last six years and I look forward to serving in this new capacity.”
Along with the Executive Committee, the LACDC Board of Directors includes: State Rep. Christine Chandler, former UNM-LA Chancellor Cindy Rooney, Real Estate Broker and Owner David Horpedahl, former County Councilor David Izraelevitz, Businessman Bill Enloe, Enterprise Bank & Trust Executive Assistant Donavan Price, Blue Window Bistro Owner Melissa Paternoster, LANL Senior Director, Partnerships and Pipelines Duncan McBranch and New Mexico Consortium Chief Executive Officer John Engen.