In the new year, we’ll also welcome our newest staff member, Joshua Boswell, as vice president of policy and economic development. Based in Santa Barbara, Boswell will focus on broadening and deepening REACH’s industry engagement throughout both counties, overseeing business attraction, expansion and retention efforts in coordination with our practitioner partners at the cities, counties and chambers.
Boswell comes to REACH from Washington, D.C., where he worked at the nexus of government of business, advising the world’s top companies on investment, workforce, supply chain and partnership decisions and on navigating the complexities of government policy, global markets and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
“REACH stands out as an ambitious organization that has punched above its weight class to achieve a lot in a short amount of time,” he said. “I welcome the opportunity to help more businesses invest in, grow and create jobs on the Central Coast and ensure the region is positioned to compete and win in the regional, national and global economy.”
His hire rounds out the REACH leadership team under President/CEO Melissa James, with Russ Levanway recently named Executive Vice President and Julie Sinton-Pruniski as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
“Josh offers an impressive track record of business and government experience that will bring new vision, energy and expertise to our work to improve livelihoods in the region,” James said.
A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Boswell has spent some time on the Central Coast, where his wife grew up and has family, and is looking forward to raising their newborn and 2-year-old here. “It’s a great place to live and raise a family, and I’m excited to be part of expanding the opportunities available to them and to future generations in the region.”
Fun Fact: Boswell has worked on projects on countries including Pakistan, Nigeria and Guatemala and co-authored the book How Washington Actually Works for Dummies.
