Harold Blackman, interim vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development, invites the campus community to attend 30-minute public forums followed by question/answer sessions for four candidates vying for director of economic development at Boise State.
At the forums, each candidate will address the question: “What do you view as the major economic development issues facing Boise and how should Boise State participate in solving them?” Each talk will last between 15-20 minutes followed by a ten-minute question-and-answer period.
The candidates will present on the following dates:
Teresa McKnight, 10 a.m. on April 24, Student Union Lookout Room
McKnight brings more than 25 years of experience developing university-related research parks, incubation, philanthropy and economic development programs. McKnight served as the director of Incubation Enterprise and Technology Outreach for the State of Utah/Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, following her role as the executive director for the Advanced Technology Park on the Montana State University Innovation Campus.
Todd Cooper, 10 a.m. on May 2, Student Union Lookout Room
Cooper currently is a senior leader for Wells Fargo Bank. Cooper has been a board member of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership since 2008, serving as treasurer for eight years and board chair for two years. Cooper was awarded the 2016 Economic Impact award by the Leadership Boise Alumni Association, in recognition of consistent contribution to economic development.
Carmen Achabal, 10 a.m. on May 6, Education Building Room 109
Achabal has more than 15 years of comprehensive experience in state agency and program management. Achabal currently is the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission program manager for the Idaho Department of Commerce, and has served as technology project manager and business analyst for the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education and the Idaho Transportation Department.
Chris Mathias, 10 a.m. on May 9, Education Building Room 109
Mathias currently is the senior director for Higher Education, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Mathias formerly served as the chief academic officer for the Idaho State Board of Education and as the policy director in the Office of the President at Boise State University. Mathias is an alumnus of the Boise State criminal justice administration program.