BAY AREA HOUSTON – The board of directors of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) announced Bob Mitchell has been elected to succeed Jim Reinhartsen as president, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Reinhartsen, who served as BAHEP president for 15 years, will become the organization’s vice president.

Mitchell, who currently serves as executive director of aerospace marketing and the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program, will transition into his new role over the next three months. As vice president, Reinhartsen will assist Mitchell in developing strategies, budgets and plans, while working on special projects important to the region’s economic vitality.

Mitchell has first-hand knowledge of BAHEP’s operations and personal experience working with NASA and the aerospace/aviation industry. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at The University of Oklahoma and has extensive experience in recruitment, retention and expansion in BAHEP’s target industries.

Mitchell received unanimous support from BAHEP’s leadership transition committee and approval from the board of directors. “As chairman of the board and a long-time member of BAHEP,” said Richard E. Allen Jr., president and CEO of Space Center Houston, “I can fully appreciate all that Jim has done for our community even above the BAHEP mission.”

Allen added, “There is no doubt in my mind that Bob Mitchell is the right person to lead BAHEP. Congratulations to the transition team and the BAHEP Board of Directors for electing Bob to serve as president.”

Mitchell’s election was also endorsed by many elected officials and community leaders, including Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough and NASA Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats.

“Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, under the leadership of Jim Reinhartsen, has evolved from a small, local economic development organization, to a large, professional and influential regional economic development organization with strong funding and nationally acclaimed models of economic development,” said Sylvia Garcia, Harris County commissioner, Precinct 2. “I am proud to be a BAHEP supporter. My dealings with Bob Mitchell give me a great sense of comfort in his ability to lead and work on a regional basis.”

Words of endorsement for Bob Mitchell…

“When the transition team was tasked with finding a qualified candidate to follow Jim Reinhartsen, we pursued every option and considered every scenario. When done, it was evident to all that Bob Mitchell was the best choice to follow Jim as president of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. We are fortunate that BAHEP is financially sound, well-respected and professionally managed. And while we are sad to see Jim transition out, we are fortunate that Bob has accepted this important position. Our resolve is to stay the course – our strategic plan is our map to the future.”
-- Dr. Bernard Milstein, president of The Eye Clinic of Texas and chairman of BAHEP’s leadership transition committee

"Bob is an excellent choice to lead BAHEP. His experience in the community and work to bring new and diverse industries to Bay Area Houston provide a strong foundation for his new role as President of BAHEP. I am confident he will be a strong leader as our area evolves and grows in the coming years.”
-- Mike Coats, director of NASA-Johnson Space Center

“Bob Mitchell is a natural and logical choice. His work ethic and ability to develop and implement strategies are impressive. Under Jim’s leadership, BAHEP has grown to be the most effective and creditable economic organization in the entire region, and I am confident that Bob Mitchell will build on this foundation.”
-- Judge Jim Yarbrough, Galveston County judge