Camas Mayor Paul Dennis and the company he owns have been selected to lead the newly formed Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association.
Port of Camas-Washougal Commissioner Mark Lampton said Monday that Dennis, principal of Cascade Planning Group, rose to the top after three finalists were interviewed on Friday. His proposed appointment to the position of economic development director of the CWEDA is pending the approval of the Camas and Washougal City Councils, and the Port of Camas-Washougal Commission.
There were a total of seven applicants for the position. The field was then narrowed to four, which in addition to Cascade Planning Group included Kris Holt of Carson City, Nev., Res Publica Consulting of Portland, and Steve Czarnecki of Elk Grove, Calif. One of the applicants dropped out before the beginning of the interview process.
Lampton said Dennis’ experience, knowledge and skills set him apart.
“We feel we have selected the person who can hit the ground running and bring us results,” he said. “We are really confident in this decision to hire Paul. This has been an open and honest process. Anybody could have applied.”
Vancouver-based E.D. Hovee & Company will serve in a supporting role.
Dennis has worked in the fields of economic development and planning since June 1990, when he was hired by E.D. Hovee & Company. In 2002 he accepted a position with Portland-based Leland Consulting Group, and then left to form his own company in 2003.