Livermore’s Director of Economic Development Takes New Job in Davis

Here's information provided by the City of Livermore:

Rob White, the City of Livermore’s current Director of Economic Development and Interim CEO of the i-GATE Innovation Hub Initiative, will become the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) with the City of Davis, California effective March 22nd.

White joined the City of Livermore in 2008, and Livermore’s economic development program experienced significant changes over the past five years.

Through a focus on partnerships, Livermore’s regional leadership expanded in economic development, innovation, and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

White and his staff developed partnerships with the federal laboratories as well as the business, research, academic and investment sectors.

During White’s tenure, Livermore also focused on business attraction and retention, the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and regional and national tourism and marketing efforts which resulted in Livermore’s selection as a Host City for the 2011, 2012, and the upcoming 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race.

White’s most notable success was the formation of the Innovation for Green Advanced Transportation Excellence (i-GATE) with Bruce Balfour of Sandia National Laboratories in November 2009. i-GATE is a regional public-private consortium with over 50 partners: nine cities, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, academic and research institutions, and the technology business sector. i-GATE works towards creating a vibrant and effective innovation economy in the region with an emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs and technology startups. As a result of this work, White was named a White House Champion of Change for Local Innovation in September 2012, and he was recognized by the Alliance for Innovation with the Thomas H. Muehlenbeck Award for Excellence in Local Government in April 2012.

Livermore Mayor John Marchand commends White for advancing economic development within the City through strengthening partnerships and leveraging assets.

“Rob has been nationally recognized for his leadership in i-GATE and in the creation of the Tri-Valley’s innovation environments. I am grateful for the work that he has done promoting Livermore’s economic development and fostering our relationships with our National City Hall. Working in Davis, he will be much closer to his home and his family, and I know how important that is for him.”

City Manager Marc Roberts also recognized White for his efforts, and noted he has “infused an economic development culture into the entire City organization, building Livermore’s position as an economic leader and enhancing the quality of life for our residents”.