FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

J Thomas Ranken Appointed President & CEO of

Washington Clean Technology Alliance

WCTA reaches growth milestone in hiring first full-time executive

June 21, 2010 SEATTLE – The Washington Clean Technology Alliance (WCTA) (http://www.wacleantech.org/) today announced the appointment of J. Thomas Ranken as its first full time President & CEO.  The appointment of a full-time executive marks an important milestone for the Alliance and positions the organization to accelerate further support of cleantech as an important new sector in Washington.

Ranken is a recognized leader in the business and innovation communities.  He has held leadership positions as co-founder and CEO of VizX Labs, President and CEO of Axio Research Corporation, and was the first full-time President & CEO of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA).  He grew the WBBA from a small start-up organization with one part-time staff person to the state’s leading voice for biotech with robust policy, membership services and events programs.

“The sustainability of Washington’s clean tech economy will be dependent on the successful engagement and growth of innovative companies serving the sector in Washington State.   “Tom is a recognized leader in growing industries that will drive our state’s future,” said Marc Cummings, WCTA Policy Chair.  “His experience in the private sector, combined with his demonstrated results in growing a tech-based industry association, his ability to identify and develop valuable programs for members, and his political acumen, are the perfect fit for the growth and development of WCTA and the cleantech industry in Washington.”

Ranken’s focus will be growing the breadth and depth of services for WCTA members and building on the WCTA’s policy and business development successes over the last three years.  “There is no more exciting growth opportunity for Washington than the clean tech industry.  WCTA members are leaders in research, green building and design, smart grid, the reduction and positive use of waste, and innovative generation and delivery of power,” Ranken said.   “We hope to build on this fine foundation.”

The WCTA was founded in 2007 by a partnership of McKinstry, Mithun, Prosperity Partnership, Puget Sound Energy, E3Energy Partners, Battelle—Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Washington’s Department of Commerce, enterpriseSeattle, Port of Bremerton, Garvey Schubert Barer, and the City of Seattle.  Its membership has since grown to include leaders in the field, including University of Washington, Washington State University, 3Tier Environmental, Stoel Rives, Grays Harbor Paper, Thomas James International, Jon Kroman Law Offices, Eco-Tec, EcoFAB, Greater Spokane, and others.

Contact:  Tom Ranken, (206) 389-8655, tom@wacleantech.org, http://www.wacleantech.org/, 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2500, Seattle, WA 98101.

YouTube video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgR3NUf4PyA