Alexandria, Va. (June 17, 2008) –The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announces that Paul Jadin, president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, has been selected as a Fellow in the Ford Foundation Regional Sustainable Development program. Fellows, who represent diverse communities and personal backgrounds, were chosen from a pool of distinguished and talented candidates of almost double the number of applications for the available openings.

"We are pleased that Paul Jadin will participate in the Fellowship," says ACCE President Mick Fleming. "Professionals like Mr. Jadin are in a unique position to convene, lead and facilitate regional approaches to economic development and entrepreneurship, as they are the connectors between the business community, public sector, and ordinary citizens."

ACCE has selected a total of 50 business-civic leaders to participate in its Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellowship, funded by the Ford Foundation. Beginning this fall, Fellows will meet in smaller groups, or cohorts, to learn about the key concepts, policies and practices that support regional approaches to creating long-term, competitive economies.

"I’m pleased to have an opportunity to share my regional experiences, both as an elected official and as a chamber leader, with my peers throughout the country and to pick up new ideas from them," said Jadin. "I’m delighted that the Ford Foundation has seen fit to fund this worthy endeavor."

The Fellowship is a unique, 12-month program for regional leaders who build communities and economies. ACCE and FutureWorks, a research consulting firm, are again partnering in this initiative, with the assistance of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and The Citistates Group.

Primarily through three in-person meetings, the Fellowship provides hands-on training, peer knowledge exchange, research, and examination of working models covering a wide range of growth and sustainability issues. These issues include infrastructure, immigration, land use, housing, education, environment, and social inclusion. During the course of the Fellowship, each participant crafts a "regional action plan" that outlines strategies to tackle a specific regional challenge to sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

The 2008-2009 program represents the second year that the Ford Foundation, headquartered in New York, has funded the Fellowship. Over the Foundation’s 70-year history, over $15 billion in funding distributed world-wide has supported programs related to asset building and community development; peace and social justice; and knowledge, creativity and freedom.

Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 6,000 professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, trend analysis, benchmarking, and best practices. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.

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Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current young professionals network, Good Government Council, the International Business Development Consortium and the Small Business Council.

For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or visit www.titletown.org.

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