Gov. Gregoire appoints director of new Governor�s Aerospace Office

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Alex Pietsch to head the new Governor�s Aerospace Office. Pietsch currently leads the Department of Community and Economic Development in the city of Renton.

�Alex comes highly recommended and brings to the role extensive experience in economic development and in working with the aerospace industry,� Gregoire said. �He knows the importance of keeping our state economically competitive, and I look forward to his guidance and expertise as we continue to build our important aerospace sector.�

The Governor�s Aerospace Office will be responsible for coordinating the various state agency efforts to support the state�s aerospace industry, as well as guide the development and implementation of strategies to promote expansion of Washington�s aerospace sector. As director, Pietsch will chair the Washington Aerospace Council and lead state government efforts to coordinate with private state aerospace industry associations. He will also be responsible for defining state government�s aerospace industry strategy, identifying priorities, and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of current and proposed aerospace economic development investments. In addition, Pietsch will serve as executive director of the Washington Aerospace Partnership, the partnership between government, labor, and business that lead the successful efforts to secure the Boeing 767 Tanker contract and 737 MAX production opportunities for Washington state.

�This is an incredibly exciting time for Washington�s aerospace cluster,� said Pietsch. �We have achieved a tremendous amount and, yet, there is significant work to do. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Governor Gregoire and our public and private partners across the state to preserve and enhance Washington�s position as the worldwide center of aerospace.�

Gregoire created the new Aerospace Office to enhance Washington state�s competiveness in the global aerospace industry, in addition to other long term investments for strengthening Washington state�s aerospace cluster.

Pietsch first joined the city of Renton in 2001 as Economic Development Director before heading the Department of Community and Economic Development in 2003. In that role, he was charged with all aspects of the city�s land use planning and permit processes, and led the city�s economic development activities, including business recruitment and retention. During his tenure, Pietsch worked closely with The Boeing Company as it expanded work at its Renton production facility, and led interdepartmental efforts to meet the company�s wide-ranging needs.

Pietsch is a member of the Prosperity Partnership Regional Economic Strategy Technical Advisory Group and Aerospace Cluster Working Group. He also serves on the Regional Staff Committee at the Puget Sound Regional Council and served as a member of the Renton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011. In 2005, Pietsch was named to the Puget Sound Business Journal�s �40 Under 40� annual list of young business and community leaders.