The Washington State China Relations Council voted to confirm the Seattle Office of Economic Development’s Acting Director Rebecca Lovell and International Business Development Director Carlton Vann to its board of directors. Lovell and Vann will join fellow board directors in furthering WSCRC’s mission to contribute to our region’s economic vitality and cultural diversity.
“The Washington State China Relations Council has been a great partner for the City of Seattle as we deepen relationships and explore partnerships with China. I look forward to working with the WSCRC and the other members of the board in the coming year,” said Lovell.
In their new role as board directors, Lovell and Vann will work to strengthen ties to Chinese cities, encourage business investment, and promote the City of Seattle’s vision of a diverse, equitable local economy.
“As a leadership member of the Washington State China Relations Council, the City of Seattle has forged strategic collaboration with China’s leading innovation-incubator cities–Shenzhen and Hangzhou,” said WSCRC President Mercy Kuo. “With Rebecca Lovell’s investment and entrepreneurial expertise and Carlton Vann’s international business development acumen, the confirmation of Ms. Lovell and Mr. Vann as new WSCRC board directors attests to Seattle’s pivotal role in strengthening US-China-Washington State cooperation in investment and innovation.”
The Washington State China Relations Council is the oldest state-level China relations organization in the U.S., and is dedicated to promoting stronger commercial, educational, and cultural engagement with China. WSCRC membership is comprised of over 100 companies, financial institutions, ports, municipal governments, institutions of higher education, and cultural organizations.