Board

Partners’ board member Mick Fleming, President of American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), contributed a cover article to the Winter edition of their publication, Chamber Executive.  Mr. Fleming sought to contribute to the thinking and discussion around what makes a person influential. 

"Governor Glendening and Partners for Livable Communities understand the relationship between livable, walkable places and economic prosperity. Smart growth results in places and regions with more housing and transportation choices, better access to shops and schools and a healthy environment. These are the neighborhoods—whether urban, rural or suburban—where people and businesses want to be. They attract new jobs and hold on to them over time as well as maintaining a higher level of housing and property values (Governor Parris N. Glendening).”

In his recent mayoral address to Salt Lake City, Partners trustee Ralph Becker announced his plans to construct a new light rail system in a broad attempt to “move Salt Lake forward despite tough economic times (Becker, 01/04/11).” Throughout his speech, Mayor Becker highlighted the role in which light rail transit could enable the city to enhance civic assets ranging from small and vibrant businesses to that of the locally treasured neighborhood known as the Sugar House. With the help of a $26 million federal grant, Mayor Becker has continued forward on his ambitious plans to bring back the street cars of the city by first constructing the Sugar House line and expanding the lines beyond the limits and into downtown Salt Lake.

Partners’ board member Sam Williams, President of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, carried the banner for business leadership in helping to solve urban problems during remarks last month to the TEDxAtlanta conference. Calling for business leaders to fulfill roles as “urban statesmen,” Williams articulated a vision shared by Partners in which business leaders and elected officials can work together as members of a team to find creative and innovative solutions to urban problems. Service on Partners’ board is just one way in which Mr. Williams works daily to translate this vision into reality.

Partners’ board member William “Bill” Reilly, former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has recently concluded work with the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, which he co-chaired along with former Senator Bob Graham. Preliminary reports issued by the Commission this month criticized BP and its subcontractors for insufficiently prioritizing safety in their management cultures and in their operations. The Commission’s final report is scheduled to be released on January 11.