The June 2011 Overcoming Economic & Social Challenges in the Wake of the Financial & Economic Crisis
Our German visitors first met with Mayor Ashton Hayward at Pensacola City Hall to learn more about the his plans for the local economy.The meeting did not disappoint. The mayor provided energy and excitement to the discussion which ended with the presentation of honorary citizenship with the city.
The group next met with Jacinta Strauss of Workforce Escarosa who discussed the organization’s youth programs.This was followed by a meeting at the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce with Alison Davenport and Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council member Andrea Drees who discussed economic development and job growth following the BP oil spill.
At a site visit to Joe Patti’s, Perry and Claude Baniakas discussed the ramifications of the oil spill on the local seafood industry while at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Dr. Sharon Heise shifted the focus to robotics and research and development.Further exploration of community economic development and employment issues took place with Larry Strain of the Small Business Development Center.At the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, Dr. Rick Harper explained how the center collects, analyzes, and distributes economic data for its clients.
SInce the visitors were in the area over the weekend, our council has several people to thank for their hospitality including Dr. Jack Kichler who gave them a Saturday morning driving tour of the area and Cookie Kichler who welcomed them to her and Jack’s home for dinner that evening.Dr. Allan Ford and wife Andrea also rolled out the red carpet, including the visitors in an afternoon of sailing.
