For Immediate Release
Contact: Elicia Wilson, (617) 728-4446 x284 or ewilson@jff.org;
Renee Tilton, (410) 626-0805 or rtilton@crosbymarketing.com
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Appoints National Fund’s Fred Dedrick
to Serve on the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 9, 2014) – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker
announced yesterday that Fred Dedrick, executive director, National Fund for Workforce
Solutions, is one of 27 individuals selected to serve on the National Advisory Council on
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE). The Council will operate as an independent entity
within the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), which is housed within the U.S.
Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). NACIE members will
advise the Secretary of Commerce on issues related to accelerating innovation, expanding
entrepreneurship and developing a globally competitive workforce.
“Through our ‘Open for Business Agenda,’ the Commerce Department has prioritized supporting
entrepreneurs and helping foster innovation, which are key drivers of America’s global
competitiveness,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The new NACIE members are a diverse and dynamic
group of successful entrepreneurs, innovators and investors, as well as leaders from nonprofit
organizations and academia. I appreciate their willingness to serve our nation on these important
issues, and I look forward to working with the Council to advance innovation and cultivate a
skilled workforce for today’s 21st century jobs.”
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is a national philanthropic partnership that invests in
regional funder collaboratives that design locally developed workforce solutions in 35
communities across the country. It moves incumbent workers and jobseekers toward career
opportunities by partnering with employers, workers, educators and philanthropy to develop
training and credentialing programs in industries important to local economies. Since 2007, these
efforts have helped more than 65,000 low-income and unemployed workers gain access to
family-supporting careers.
“I’m honored to be selected to this prestigious council and look forward to working with my fellow
council members in advising Secretary Pritzker on matters related to workforce development,”
said Dedrick. “The National Fund is changing the way communities approach and support
workforce development by organizing and growing local collaboratives that engage employers
through industry partnerships. Our country’s economic competitiveness depends on building the
skills and competencies of all Americans based on a deep understanding of the future needs of
industry.”
NACIE’s overarching focus is recommending transformational policies to the Secretary that will
help U.S. communities, businesses and the workforce become more globally competitive. NACIE
members, who will serve a two-year term, were chosen based on their ability to carry out the
objectives of the Council. All of the appointees have demonstrated expertise and experience in
the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce skills. In reviewing the applications, the
Secretary sought individuals who have been nationally recognized leaders in a variety of fields in
order to create a balanced point of view, including a representation of different demographics,
organization size, industry sector and geographic regions.
NACIE’s work will be organized into subcommittees around three main focus areas:
entrepreneurship, innovation and job-driven skills training. The full Council will convene four
times each year beginning with the first meeting in December 2014. To learn more about NACIE,
visit http://www.eda.gov/oie/nacie/.
About National Fund for Workforce Solutions
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions, based in Boston, Mass., is a growing national
partnership of employers, communities, workers and philanthropy. Together, they invest in 35
regional funder collaboratives to strengthen local economies by implementing demand-driven
workforce strategies that create talent supply chains, close skill gaps and improve systems. To
learn more, visit http://nfwsolutions.org.
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