ELIZABETH SCOTT & BRITTANY BAGENT
The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) announced two key staffing changes on Wednesday.
Elizabeth Scott has been promoted to the position of director of business recruitment, while Brittany Bagent has been hired to take on the role of director of research and economic strategy.
Scott has served on the CREDC team for four years, most recently in the role of senior project manager, where she managed the organization’s federal grants, research projects and lands-for-jobs initiatives. She assumed the position of director of business recruitment on May 16, and is now responsible for the planning and execution of activities that assist companies considering relocation to Clark County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and sociology from the University of Tampa and a master’s degree in natural resources from Virginia Tech.
Bagent joined CREDC on June 1 to take on the new role of director of research and economic strategy, where she will be lead staff on land use policy, research projects and coordinating updates to the strategic economic development plan. She has a background in economic development strategic planning and international business, most recently serving as an urban planning associate in Illinois, where she will be relocating from in July. She holds bachelor’s degrees in urban & regional planning and German from Miami University, and a master’s degree in urban planning & policy with an economic development concentration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“CREDC is very fortunate to have such a talented team that brings a diverse array of backgrounds and expertise to the organization,” said Mike Bomar, CREDC president. “This is an exciting time to be in economic development, and we are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth and Brittany to their new roles.”
JAMES DOUGHERTY & ERIK PALMER
The Cowlitz Project, a $500 million casino project located off the I-5 La Center exit, has appointed James Dougherty as assistant general manager and Erik Palmer as CFO.
Dougherty has more than 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, serving in multiple roles as a leading executive in various gaming jurisdictions including Sands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Foxwoods Resort & Casino and Foxwoods Development Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Richard Stockton College in New Jersey.
Palmer has worked in the gaming industry for more than 20 years and has experience opening new casino resort properties including the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the Seneca Gaming properties in Western New York. Prior to joining the Cowlitz Project, he served as chief financial officer for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in upstate New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“At this phase in the project, we’re thrilled to bring Jim and Erik on board,” said Kara Fox-LaRose, general manager and president of the Cowlitz Project. “Both have extensive experience in the gaming industry, and the Cowlitz Project will undoubtedly benefit from their expertise and guidance as we move closer to opening.”
The Cowlitz facility is slated to open in spring 2017.
