Bay Area Council Announces Key Staff Additions.

Business Editors/Government Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2000

The Bay Area Council today announced the hiring of Michael Cunningham as its Vice President of Transportation, and Suzanne Goldstein as its Employer Engagement Director in partnership with the Bay Area School-to-Career Action Network (BaySCAN).

As the point person for the Bay Area Council on transportation policy, Mr. Cunningham will manage the organization's efforts to enhance transportation mobility and ease traffic congestion in the region through implementation of its strategic Transportation Action Plan, the Bay Area Water Transit Initiative, and numerous related programmatic and policy initiatives. Mr. Cunningham also will be responsible for addressing the role that transportation policy plays in the larger context of regional growth, including the nexus between transportation and housing and land use, environment, and social equity.

Ms. Goldstein will work with major regional employers to establish corporate strategies that support school-to-career programs throughout the region. School-to-career is an approach to strengthening education that involves linking academic standards to the emerging skill needs of the "new economy" workplace, expanding the learning environment beyond the classroom, and broadening college and career opportunities for all students.

"We are extremely fortunate to have persons of Suzanne's and Michael's caliber take the reins of these important posts," stated Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO, Bay Area Council. "Transportation gridlock and education and workforce training are two of the most significant challenges facing the region. I expect that Suzanne and Michael both will play large roles in effectively addressing these challenges."

Michael Cunningham previously served LECG Inc. for two years as a Consulting Economist and Public Policy Analyst, during which time he managed and conducted economic, fiscal, and statistical analysis of public policy issues for private and public sector clients. Prior to joining LECG, Mr. Cunningham served the Legislative Analyst's Office as a Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst, where he advised the California Legislature on transportation budget and policy issues and developed budget and program recommendations to improve the cost-effectiveness of state transportation programs. He has a Master in Public Policy from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics, Summe Cum Laude, from Claremont McKenna College.

Ms. Goldstein previously served the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce for more than two years as the Director of Public Policy. In this capacity she led the Chamber's education and workforce development efforts and was instrumental in launching the S.F. School-to-Career Partnership. Ms. Goldstein's prior experience includes working as a Senior Associate for the Economic Strategy Group of ICF Kaiser Consulting, where she managed regional economic development projects for domestic and international clients. Ms. Goldstein has a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brown University.

The Bay Area Council is a CEO-led, business-sponsored public policy organization founded more than 50 years ago to promote regional economic prosperity and quality of life. The Council presents a strong, united voice for more than 230 major employers from throughout the region to help shape public policy affecting transportation, environmental quality, economic development, housing and land use, sustainable development, water policy, education and workforce preparation, and telecommunications infrastructure.