Morris Named Director of Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative

Jeff Morris has been named Director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC). NWETC is a joint effort of business, government, nonprofit, and educational institutions to make the Northwest a world leader in innovative research and product development for energy technology.

Morris was selected by the NWETC board of directors after an extensive selection process. “We would be hard pressed to find anyone as well known across the Pacific Northwest region as Jeff Morris,”
said Kim Pearman-Gillman, senior vice president of Avista Development Inc. and NWETC Director. “His extensive energy background and large network of contacts will be invaluable.”
The Collaborative is working to capitalize on our region’s long history and current base of companies providing products and innovations in electric generation, transmission, distribution, control, and use of energy. The goal is to create a major Northwest industry that employs 2,000 people working who design, manufacture and market energy products.

The NWETC is organized under the Washington Technology Center. “We believe this collaborative model will be an economic development template for growing and maturing other key industries,” said Lee Cheatham, executive director of the Washington Technology Center.

Morris currently is chairman of the Technology, Telecommunications and Energy Committee of the Washington State House of Representatives. “My personal passion is in the energy area. We have rich tradition in northwest of working together for regional benefit. I am anxious to get started bringing our best people together and creating economic growth,” said Morris.

In his legislative work, Morris has been known for pushing the Olympia scene well ahead of its comfort level in the technology area. Morris was rated the top “Jobmaker” in the House this past session by the Association of Washington Business. House Speaker Frank Chopp named him to head the Five Corner Alliance, which assembled the recent legislative package to keep Boeing manufacturing of the 7E7 in Washington. Morris also gained recognition as president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, where he put the little known group on the map with their activity and accomplishments supporting economic growth.

Prior to joining the legislature Morris worked with APCO Associates, a public affairs firm out of Washington D.C., with a variety of clients and served six years on the staff of Congressman Al Swift, then the Northwest dean on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The NWETC board was looking for an impact person to grow the group over the next year. “Jeff Morris is the type of marquee individual we were looking for to get the collaborative off the ground and make it a truly regional effort,” said Mike Weedall, Vice President for Energy Efficiency at Bonneville Power Administration and NWETC Director. “I have confidence that this concept will prove itself out in how to get great research to lead to great jobs that benefit everyone,” Weedall stated further.

About the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative
NWETC’s mission is to accelerate the emergence and growth of the energy technology industry in the Pacific Northwest region. NWETC was created one year ago by founding board members: Avista Corp., Bonneville Power Administration, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, and the Washington Technology Center. Puget Sound Energy, INTEC and Washington State Trade and Economic Development Energy Office joined later in the year.

About the Washington Technology Center

The Washington Technology Center is Washington’s statewide science and technology organization committed to accelerating the innovation-based economy. WTC stimulates job growth in Washington’s companies by helping develop commercially viable technology. Since 1995, over 200 Washington companies working with WTC have secured $280 million in outside financing or federal contracts. More than half the companies receiving WTC funding have had fewer than 100 employees. WTC also manages a Microfabrication Laboratory, a nationally recognized facility for research, technology development, and prototype manufacturing.

COMMON QUESTIONS

1. Can a Legislator work for a State Agency?

Yes, many currently do. An informal opinion was requested by Jeff Morris from the Legislative Ethics Board if he could accept the position. Mike O’Connell gave an informal opinion that he could take the position. Opinion attached.

2. Can Mr. Morris serve as Chair of the Technology, Telecommunications and Energy committee and work in the energy industry?

Yes. Many current chairs work in the field under the jurisdiction of the committees. Nurses Chair Health Committees, Lawyers Chair Judicial committees, and employees of the Department of Transportation serve on the transportation committee. Clear ethic guidelines exist to guide legislators in these situations. The Legislative Ethics Board also oversees compliance.

3. Can Mr. Morris work in Seattle and still live in his district?

The Director of the NWETC is a regional position having interactions all over the state and region. The office in Seattle will serve as a home base. Many individuals in the 40th Legislative District commute to the Seattle area to work.

4. Will Mr. Morris be paid by the NWETC during the legislative session?

His salary will be reduced to reflect his true work time during the session. He will not take legislative per diem on days he works for the NWETC during the session.

5. Is Mr. Morris’ pay reflective of the work?

The salary is set according to WTC policy and market conditions. The salary for this position was established before candidates were selected and is reflective of similar positions and responsibilities.

Contacts:

Ellen Barker, 206-543-7994, [email protected]

Jeff Morris, 360-421-6027, [email protected]