An government from the Pacific Northwest with expansive worldwide financial expertise, together with in semiconductors, will lead San José’s Workplace of Financial Growth and Cultural Affairs, changing former Director Nanci Klein, who retired three months in the past.
Metropolis Supervisor Jennifer Maguire has introduced the number of Jen Baker, who most lately served because the president and CEO of the Columbia River Financial Growth Council in Vancouver, Washington, to move the division at a essential juncture with main sporting occasions coming to the area subsequent 12 months and the town trying to bolster its place as a hub for synthetic intelligence.
“Jen’s confirmed observe report and skill to coalesce thought leaders’ pursuits, develop coverage, and interpret complicated financial points will assist appeal to, retain, and develop synthetic intelligence, superior manufacturing, semiconductors, knowledge facilities and sustainable industries that may drive income and jobs to our metropolis,” Maguire stated in a information launch. “Moreover, her dynamic abilities will assist foster small enterprise success and contribute to the help of enterprise districts all through the Metropolis and the vitality of a thriving downtown, together with growing a sports activities, arts and leisure district.”
Communications Director Carolina Camarena stated Baker was considered one of 65 candidates for the director’s place. Assistant Metropolis Supervisor Lee Wilcox had served because the appearing director of the division through the recruitment course of.
Baker will obtain an annual wage of $295,000 with roughly 5% non-pensionable pay, bringing her compensation to $309,750. Within the metropolis’s recruitment brochure, the wage vary for the place was marketed as between $204,437 and $341,149.
Baker started her profession as a commerce coverage knowledgeable on the U.S. Division of Commerce, the place she negotiated bilateral and multilateral commerce agreements earlier than shifting on to function the commerce capability constructing director on the Workplace of the U.S. Commerce Consultant.
She additionally labored on the U.S. Small Enterprise Administration in Portland from 2011 to 2018, the place she rose by means of the ranks from financial improvement supervisor to appearing director of the company. Throughout her tenure on the company, its lending portfolio elevated from $220 million to $609 million, representing a 275% rise.
Underneath her management on the Columbia River Financial Growth Council, Clark County added $1.69 billion and three,926 jobs from 2021 to 2024. She additionally was appointed as a member of the Washington State Commerce Division’s CHIPS and Science Act Working Group.
“Serving to neighborhood members, trade, companies, and people to optimize aggressive benefits for a robust financial system is what motivates me,” Baker stated in a press release. “San José’s tech and small enterprise ecosystems share robust parallels with my expertise from the Pacific Northwest, and I’m excited to fulfill Metropolis staff members and friends to drive visibility and funding within the Metropolis of San José.”
Baker’s choice is considered one of a number of modifications to top-line administration on the metropolis on this calendar 12 months. Maguire named Aram Kouyoumjian director of the Human Assets Division and Workplace of Worker Relations, whereas appointing Jeff Provenzano as director of the Environmental Companies Division earlier this 12 months.
Extra lately, Maguire additionally chosen Manuel Pineda, who beforehand served as Chief Electrical Utility Officer on the metropolis of Santa Clara, to function a deputy metropolis supervisor, with Kip Harkness vacating the place in March.
On the metropolis, Baker will oversee a division of 61 positions and an annual working funds of roughly $67 million.
Together with the area welcoming Tremendous Bowl LX, the NCAA Males’s Basketball Event and World Cup matches in 2026, which mixed might generate tons of of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in financial exercise, metropolis officers have focused a number of strategic initiatives within the funds to show San José right into a top-notch vacation spot for sports activities, leisure, procuring, and enterprise creation.
These included planning efforts to create a future sports activities and leisure district in downtown, help for enterprise affiliation enlargement in business corridors and furthering the push for knowledge heart funding.
“San José wants a robust financial improvement chief to assist us notice our great progress potential,” Mayor Matt Mahan stated in a press release. “Jen Baker has the talents and expertise to assist San José appeal to new funding to make our Downtown Silicon Valley’s true city heart, construct the housing we’d like for future generations, and develop the tax base to fund metropolis companies for all of our neighborhoods.”
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