Economic Development Staff (Official City of Bellevue Website)

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Economic Development Staff

The Office of Economic Development helps direct and coordinate economic development activities in Bellevue. The office, which reports to the City Manager, works closely with the individual businesses and business organizations in the city, acts as a liaison with regional, state and international economic development agencies and helps city departments conduct economic development and enhance city services. The Office of Economic Development also markets Bellevue, aids land development and promotes small business and workforce development to help Bellevue’s economy remain strong, stable and sustainable.

Thomas Boydell, the manager of Economic Development, serves as an advocate or ombudsman for businesses seeking to resolve or clarify issues with the city, offering assistance in the permits and development processes, especially when understanding a business's goals and market context can better define the intent and challenges of a development idea.

The Economic Development team reflects the professional experience necessary to serve Bellevue's business community. They also have international knowledge suitable to Bellevue's role in global finance, trade and technology.

Thomas Boydell, Manager
Thomas Boydell joined the Office of Economic Development in 2008. Prior to his arrial to Bellevue, he worked in a variety of financial and economic development positions at Seattle, Shoreline, the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He also served as a Director with Violent Juvenile Offender Project in Massachusetts. In the private sector, Mr. Boydell spent 10 years in consulting with Delloitte Touche and Seneca Consulting Group. His consulting career focused on social services systems, city revenue strategy, redevelopment and brownfields. He was architect of Seattle's Brownfields Program and consulted for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Boydell holds degrees in psychology, urban planning, economics, and finance from Boston University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wharton Graduate Business School. He is a board member of the World Trade Club of Washington, Japan American Society, and India Association of Western Washington. He has also participated in overseas humanitarian efforts and fundraising for schools, water projects and hospitals in the Balkans, Albania, Southern France, East Africa and India.

Susan Barber, Senior Administrative Assistant
Susan Barber handles all office management, conference space and seminar scheduling, special events planning, and communication needs of the Office of Economic Development. She has 30 years of experience in the private sector, principally as a manager at Nordstrom. Her expertise includes events planning, training, sales, promotion and media.

At the City of Bellevue, Ms. Barber has organized both large and small events. Small events have included meetings and receptions with foreign embassy and business leaders. Large events included the business leaders reception for the Pacific Rim Bankers Conference and the national conference, "Transforming Local Government." In the private sector, the events she created for Nordstrom have become enduring annual traditions.