The Board of Directors for Westside Economic Alliance have elected Norm Ederas president and chairman through 2012.  In his new role, Eder replaces Mike Grant, a vice president of Kaiser Permanente, who was recently promoted and transferred to the company's regional offices in Los Angeles California.

Eder will serve the remaining three months of Grant's term and a full 12-month term during the Alliance's 2012 membership year.  He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to his new role, having served on WEA's Board of Directors since the Alliance was formed in 1998.  Mr. Eder also served on the Board of Directors of Sunset Corridor Association, which later merged with the Tualatin Valley Economic Development Corporation to create WEA.

In other important changes, the Alliance Board has also elected Jonae Armstrong to serve as Treasurer for the organization through 2012.  Armstrong is the senior property manager of Washington Square and previously served as WEA President and Chairwoman in 2010.  Armstrong replaces Steve Clark, the former publisher of The Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers, who recently became a vice president of Oregon State University in Corvallis.

   WEA's  Board of Directors also welcome Mark Charpentier, vice president of sales with Kaiser Permanente, who will serve the remaining three month term vacated by Grant;  Carol Dillin,vice president of customer strategies and business development with Portland General Electric, will serve the remaining 18 month term previously held by Dave Robertson; Mark Garber, publisher of The Portland Tribune, will serve the remaining term held by Clark; and Mike Salas, director of properties and facilities with Nike Inc. will serve the remaining term for Jim Petsche, who retired in June after 20 years of service with Nike.

   In the first nine months of 2011, WEA has also welcomed 16 new members, marking a 10 percent increase in membership already this year.  Joining WEA in 2011 are:

   The Alliance continues to work collaboratively with business and community service organizations throughout our region to improve the local business climate, enhance the livability of our communities, and promote economic development opportunities on the Westside of the metropolitan region.