Brian Young to lead economic development for Washington’s clean tech industry sector

Clean energy expert joins Department of Commerce to serve as Gov. Jay Inslee’s liaison to state clean technology industry leaders

Gov. Jay Inslee today welcomed Brian Young as the state’s new Sector Lead on clean energy technology. Washington State Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender today announced that Young will coordinate statewide economic development efforts for the state’s clean technology sector. Young brings a rich variety of industry experience to his new Sector Lead role at Commerce, including commercializing biofuels, consulting on renewable energy projects, winning contracts to further the cleanup of nuclear waste at Hanford, and managing engineering plants as a Naval Officer.

Young said he is eager to develop legislative solutions and market-friendly strategies to foster the growth of Washington’s burgeoning clean technology sector.

“Clean technology is an industry with enormous economic potential in the decades to come,” said Inslee. “Not only does it have the potential to produce tens of thousands of jobs for Washingtonians, it will allow us to fuel the places we live and work with sustainable energy sources and less pollution. Brian’s experience in a number of diverse segments of the industry along with his passion for developing transformative technologies, make him the ideal person to help us grow the clean tech industry in Washington.”

Inslee directed Commerce to initiate an Industry Sector-Based Economic Development Program in 2013 to accelerate growth in key industries driving Washington state’s economy. Sector Leads work with companies, research and educational institutions and other stakeholders to address issues and develop policy solutions along with local, state and federal agencies. They bring insights from the political arena to their respective industries, which include aerospace, agriculture, information and communication technology, life sciences and global health, maritime, military and defense, and clean technology.

“Our industry-based sector strategy ensures that we are meeting the needs of the industries that hold the most promise for growth in our state,” said Bonlender. “When these sectors do well, the Washington state economy does well. I am pleased to welcome Brian to our team of sector leads.”