Sonoma County Economic Update

Ben Stone was appointed as Director of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board in 1986. Since then he has been responsible for various economic development activities such as business start-up, relocation, business development, and retention services; industry research and economic forecasts; a county film program, Creative Sonoma, and involvement with the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau and seven Visitor Centers. Ben Stone has also served on several Boards over the years. He has served as Chair of the Business Administration Department Advisory Board at Santa Rosa Junior College, and of the North Bay World Trade Association; as a Board Member of the Sonoma County YMCA, the International Diplomacy Council, National Alumni Board of Whitman College, and Sonoma County Museum. He is currently serving on the Board of the Swiss-California Foundation, the California Local Economic Development Association, the California Academy for Economic Development, and the President’s Council at the Santa Rosa Junior College. He was awarded the State’s highest award for economic development in 2010, for his work in creating the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau. Ben Stone received his Bachelor’s Degree at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington and his MPA at the University of Washington in Seattle.