The Central California Futures Institute, the leading think tank in Central California addressing major issues affecting the region, has appointed Ashley Swearengin as interim executive director.
The Central California Futures Institute is a non-profit research and public policy organization associated with California State University Fresno. The Institute conducts research into economic development and planning issues in the 28,000 square mile San Joaquin Valley region and initiates activities designed to improve the quality of life in the region.
The institute prepares a variety of reports for business and policymakers on local labor market conditions, regional economic indicators, and the Fresno/Clovis area Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Swearengin’s first day on the job will be Sept. 1. She replaces retiring director John Wetzel.
The institute has initiated the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, which is designed to improve the ease of transfer between colleges and universities and increase the college going rate in the Central Valley. In the coming year the institute plans to address recommendations that have emerged from several reports on the Central Valley in recent months.
Swearengin most recently served as the director of The Central Valley Business Incubator, Inc., a non-profit business and technical assistance program for entrepreneurs in Fresno. The organization provides business consulting, capital fund raising, and resource sharing.
During her tenure, the Central Valley Incubator doubled in size and reached 100 percent occupancy. She was able to triple the organization’s funding and launched several new programs, including a “virtual tenant” program for new Internet-based companies and on-site consulting for small business owners.
“Ashley’s unique range of experiences in the community will help keep the Futures Institute at the forefront of research into San Joaquin Valley issues,” said J. Michael Ortiz, Fresno State’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
“She will be working in collaboration with regional universities and colleges and a variety of community organizations, businesses, government agencies and centers and institutes at Fresno State,” Ortiz said.
“The work of the Futures Institute is critical as the Central California region grapples with the issues of growth, business expansion and demographic changes.”
Visalia attorney Diana Dooley, who serves as board chairman of the Futures Institute, said, “I am very excited about the experience Ashley brings in the creation of new businesses. She will superbly position the institute to work on issues affecting the regional economy.”
Prior to her work in the development of new businesses, Swearengin specialized in marketing for professional service firms. She developed the first marketing departments in Central California’s largest sub-acute rehabilitation hospital and a commercial law firm.
She is a member of the National Business Incubation Association and is the past chairman of the Fresno City and County Chamber of Commerce marketing committee.
She holds both a Masters of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Fresno State.
Swearengin was a Rodman Scholar at the university. During her enrollment the Rodman Scholarship was the largest single award offered by Fresno State. Rodman Scholars, now referred to as President’s Scholars, serve as ambassadors of the university and represent the campus in a variety of ways throughout their academic careers.
