FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gregory Bortolin, Director of Communications
grbortolin@goed.nv.gov (775) 687-9917
October 24, 2023
CARSON CITY, Nev. – Elaine Silverstone has been named as the Director of Workforce Development and Alex Bacchus has been hired as a Director of Business Development by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
“Elaine and Alex both bring excellent experience and talent to two critical areas of focus at GOED,” said Tom Burns, GOED Executive Director. “When speaking to companies that look to move to Nevada, workforce development is always one of the first topics that comes up. Prospective employers to our state will be working directly with Elaine and Alex.”
Silverstone has dedicated her career to improving systems with a thoughtful and analytical approach to problem-solving. She has been pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs at University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Policy and Leadership with previous experience at Brookings Mountain West, working on a range of research endeavors that includes transportation, economic and workforce development, and education platforms. She has also enjoyed engagement with the entrepreneur and innovation community of Southern Nevada having dedicated time in a prior role at Black Fire Innovation at UNLV’s Office of Economic Development and participation with the Rebel Venture Fund, a “shark tank” like venture capital initiative.
As the Director of Workforce Development at GOED she is tasked with assisting agency leaders to review and align workforce strategies, to address priority projects, to promote interagency collaboration and advocate for resources and supports to enable and sustain the growth of targeted industries. Most notably, she will provide strategic direction for Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) fund investments.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Bacchus earned his MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. He served as Senior Trust Officer at Alliance Trust Company while serving as a Financial Planner for Sierra Nevada Wealth Management. Alex was an integral part of building, managing, operating, and expanding both companies into significant industry players in Nevada. His background also includes public policy on the state and federal level.
As a GOED Director of Business Development, Bacchus will lead the efforts to attract, retain, and expand businesses in Northern and Rural Nevada, creating jobs and economic opportunities. He is charged with identifying and supporting the needs and goals of businesses across various sectors and regions. He comes to GOED with a strong background in political and civic engagement. Bacchus is passionate about promoting Nevada’s economic development, diversification, and innovation, and collaborating with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to achieve this vision.
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.