New Commerce director to visit Sandpoint area

Jim Ellick, newly-appointed director of the Idaho Department of Commerce, will be in the Sandpoint area Thursday to visit some of the larger businesses in the area as well as address the monthly meeting of the Ponderay Community Development Corporation.

Ellick was appointed May 3 by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to lead the newly independent Department of Commerce. He took the helm on July 1.

Ellick, a University of Santa Clara graduate and former U.S. Navy officer, has served during his career as president, CEO and co-chairman of Mitsubishi Silicon America, and vice president and general manager both of Fairchild Semiconductor and Applied Materials. He has been CEO of four venture capital-backed companies and in 1995 he took Photon Dynamics, Inc. public.

Ellick has been involved in private investing and consulting since 2000.

A veteran of Silicon Valley's phenomenal growth and sustained high-tech success, Ellick brings the department his experience with technology businesses and venture capital entities.

During his first visit to Bonner County, the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation has arranged tours of Quest Aircraft, Panhandle State Bank Financial Center, and Litehouse.

At noon, Ellick will give a presentation on "Fresh Perspectives on Economic Development in North Idaho" to the Ponderay Community Development Corporation. This meeting will be held at the Elks Lodge in Ponderay and is open to the public.

Information: 255-2414