Program director from Silicon Valley Leadership Group to lead building code project, economic development alliance
San Jose, CA — Kara LaPierre has been appointed to a vice president position, Joint Venture CEO Russell Hancock announced today. LaPierre will serve as the executive director of the Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance (SVEDA), and lead Joint Venture’s efforts to develop a unified building code across the region’s municipalities.
“I can hardly think of anyone more ideally suited to this assignment,” Mr. Hancock said of the appointment. “Kara brings deep ties to the business community, marketing savvy and experience, years working in Sacramento on technology policy, and advanced degrees in public administration. Equally important, she brings superb skills at communication and relationship building. She will be an enormous strength to us.”
Ms. LaPierre’s chief duties as vice president will be to serve as executive director of the Silicon Valley Economic Development alliance (SVEDA), a Joint Venture initiative carried out in cooperation with the economic development directors of 25 Silicon Valley cities. She will oversee the expansion and development of two key websites developed by SVEDA which provide troves of data about doing business in the region: www.siliconvalleyonline.org and www.siliconvalleyprospector.com .
Ms. LaPierre will also oversee an effort to create a unified building code for the Silicon Valley region. With the state of California poised to adopt a new building code, every municipality by law must adopt the new code, but in so doing, each city can add their own amendments to the code. Building on earlier Joint Venture efforts, Ms. LaPierre will work with cities across four counties in an effort to adopt the same amendments across the region, a move viewed by the private sector as a significant boost to the Valley’s competitiveness.
SVEDA Chair Diana Whitecar (City of Milpitas) praised the appointment. “Kara brings stellar credentials and a wealth of experience, but what we’re most pleased about is her superb ability to forge relationships and alliances, across multiple sectors. This ability was on full display while she was at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and we feel fortunate now to be building on that experience.”
Ms. LaPierre served as Director of Economic Vitality at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a business-sponsored organization, since 2005. She also staffed their federal issues committee, and led their efforts in health policy. She previously worked in Sacramento as a self-employed consultant under contract with the California State Department of Transportation. She holds an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.A. in Political Science from the Plymouth State University.
About Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network
Established in 1993, Joint Venture provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community—to spotlight issues, launch projects and work toward innovative solutions.
