EASC Announces Board Leadership Transition

The Economic Alliance Snohomish County has announced that Dr. Paul Pitre is stepping down as board chair and returning to teaching at Washington State University’s Pullman campus. Robert Knoll, government affairs representative for Puget Sound Energy and current EASC vice chair, will assume the role of board chair, while Mountain Pacific Bank President and CEO Mark Duffy will serve as vice chair.

Pitre, who has been the EASC board chair since 2025, also spent a decade as chancellor of Washington State University Everett, where he helped expand academic programs and connect the university with regional businesses.

“Dr. Pitre has been instrumental to many of the improvements and advancements in our community as well as for EASC. His leadership, always focused on innovation, has pointed EASC and Snohomish County firmly into the future,” President and CEO Ray Stephanson said in a recent press release. “We are excited to begin a new era in economic development and growth with Robert at the helm.”