Pivotal Leaders Recognizes Prospective Clean Technology Business Leaders in the Northwest

    PORTLAND, OR, February 24, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pivotal Investments, along with presenting sponsors Perkins Coie, Ernst & Young and the Portland Development Commission, today announced the launch of Pivotal Leaders, a community-nominated and peer-selected network of top prospective clean technology business leaders in the Northwest. By identifying and establishing a business network of entrepreneurial talent in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia, Pivotal Leaders seeks to expand resources for innovation in clean technology, a sector that is vital to the economic success of the region. Nominations are being accepted now for the first annual list of the Pivotal Leaders at http://www.pivotal-leaders.com; the final list will be published in June.

"The Northwest is widely recognized as a leader in clean technology development and deployment," said Patrick Quinton, business & industry division manager at the Portland Development Commission. "With our region's strong history of customer demand and policy support for clean, green and sustainable businesses we provide a unique environment for innovation."

The Pivotal Leaders will be selected using a two-step process of community nomination and peer selection. Once the list is compiled, Pivotal Leaders will kick-off a series of events around the Northwest during 2010 and establish social media networking opportunities that will continue to build and extend connections among the Pivotal Leaders and the Northwest clean tech business community. The Pivotal Leaders network will provide unique exposure and opportunities for members to partner and collaborate with their peers and make connections with other leaders in some of the region's most successful businesses. By increasing awareness of some of the Northwest's top entrepreneurial talent, Pivotal Leaders also aims to expand access to resources that will help stimulate further investment in innovation and development of clean technology jobs in the Northwest.

"We are convinced that the best way to contribute to the economic growth of our region is to build on our strengths; and we believe a key to success is recognizing current and prospective business leaders in the region -- leaders who have the vision to attract capital and human resources and develop strategies to grow the leading clean technology companies here," said Gregg Semler, managing director at Pivotal Investments. "Pivotal Leaders was created to recognize these elite leaders and provide opportunities for them to partner, collaborate and identify new opportunities that will build the sustainable economy of the Northwest through accelerated business formation."

The idea for Pivotal Leaders emerged as the founders of the venture capital firm Pivotal Investments discovered a need not only for investment capital focused on the sustainable economy, but also human capital. Both needs were clearly documented in the Carbon Free Prosperity Report authored by Climate Solutions and Clean Edge.

Forbes magazine recently ranked Oregon and Washington in the top three "greenest" states in the United States. Regional preferences for green power, hybrid cars, green buildings, local and organic foods, sustainable forestry, innovative transportation, land-use planning and solid waste recycling all reflect the region's leadership in this area. The Northwest also has a globally competitive workforce actively looking for ways to make a living in the sustainable economy -- people skilled in agriculture, manufacturing, semiconductors, software and apparel.

"The Pacific Northwest is known for having a strong start-up, entrepreneur-focused and 'idea-driven' culture, and once those ideas get off the ground, putting the right leaders in place is crucial," said Brent Bullock, Partner at Perkins Coie. "Pivotal Leaders recognized the true need to identify CEO and CTO leadership to take Northwest clean tech companies to the next level, and Perkins Coie is thrilled to be a part of the vehicle that will reach out to this community and identify and honor these very important business leaders."

"Our vision is that the Pivotal Leaders be integral to securing the Northwest's potential as a leader in clean technology through accelerated new business formation," said Ashley Henry, network director for Pivotal Leaders. "We will be working hard in the next several weeks to get the word out about Pivotal Leaders and encouraging the business, education, non-profit and economic development communities to contribute their nominations."

Nominations are being accepted now. To nominate clean-technology leaders for this year's list, go to http://www.pivotal-leaders.com/selection.php.

About Pivotal Leaders

Pivotal Leaders is a business network created by Pivotal Investments, with presenting sponsors Perkins Coie, Ernst & Young and the Portland Development Commission and contributing sponsors AterWynne, Iberdrola Renewables, Nike, NW Natural, Stoel Rives, UK Trade & Investment and Weyerhaeuser. Pivotal Leaders was founded to identify and recognize the top prospective business leaders in the Northwest and to support them in furthering the region's leadership potential in the clean technology sector. Find out more about this exciting network at www.pivotal-leaders.com.

About Pivotal Investments

Pivotal Investments is a Portland, OR venture capital firm investing in companies, primarily in the Northwest, that are delivering solutions in the rapidly growing markets for clean energy, clean water, green materials, sustainable agriculture and clean air. Pivotal's investment team of investors and experienced entrepreneurs is committed to delivering superior financial returns by building great companies that will be leaders in the sustainable economy. For more information, please see www.pivotal-investments.com.

For more information, contact:
Ashley Henry, Network Director, Pivotal Leaders
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 503-866-9191

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