[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ACKNOWLEDGING WILLIAM ``BILL'' BASSITT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
William ``Bill'' Bassin, President and CEO of the Stanislaus Economic 
Development and Workforce Alliance on his retirement and to thank him 
for his dedicated, life-long spirit of community service.
  Bill Bassitt holds a Bachelor's Degree from Xavier University and a 
Master's Degree from Bowling Green State University. He has also 
completed course work in economic development at the University of 
Oklahoma and was a graduate of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for 
Organizational Management from the University of Delaware, as well as 
the Center for Creative Management. He is a member of numerous 
professional organizations and has been the keynote speaker at many 
local, state, regional, and national conferences.
  Since 2002, Mr. Bassitt has held the position of President and CEO of 
the Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance. As CEO, 
Bill Bassitt conducted three private sector fundraising campaigns to 
provide private sector funding to support the operations of the 
Alliance. Under his direction, the Stanislaus Economic Development and 
Workforce Alliance has been successful in bringing public and private 
sector leaders together to breed change, address systemic issues and 
market Stanislaus County as a place to do business.
  With 28 years experience in the Chamber of Commerce and economic 
development management in four states, Bill Bassitt has had an 
exceptional impact on the community. His career includes several years 
in the international business arena, working in over 24 countries, 
covering four continents, developing reciprocal trade agreements and 
seeking to bring direct foreign investment and corporate operations to 
the United States.
  Bassitt previously served as Senior Vice President of the Detroit 
Regional Chamber and Executive Director of the Detroit Regional 
Economic Partnership, where he built a large regional organization. In 
addition, he led numerous highly successful marketing missions 
involving complex interaction and negotiations with international 
business and government leaders. Adding to his list of accomplishments 
is the development and marketing of several business parks.
  After working for over 30 years in economic development in 25 
countries and on four continents, and leading six separate economic 
development organizations, Bill Bassitt and his wife Nancy, will 
relocate to their home in Ohio. Married for 45 years, they have four 
children and 7 grandchildren, which they look forward to spending more 
time with in the coming years.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Alliance CEO Bill Bassitt on 
his retirement and in thanking him for his exemplary leadership and 
service to the community.

                          ____________________