The Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Dr. Gail Pittman, vice president of institutional equity, effectiveness and success at Hartnell College, to serve as the higher-education representative on the county'''s Economic Development Committee.

The board considered three finalists: Paige Veran of California State University Monterey Bay, Jenny Quan (professor and institute director), and Dr. Gail Pittman (Hartnell College). Each candidate addressed the board for up to three minutes about workforce development, higher-education partnerships and regional economic diversification. Veran emphasized sustainable hospitality and place-based tourism; Quan stressed entrepreneurship and nonprofit management training; Pittman cited Hartnell'''s student population and workforce-alignment programs serving Salinas Valley residents.

Pittman told the board, "Our economy has long been concentrated in a few sectors, agriculture in the Salinas Valley and tourism and hospitality on the Peninsula," and argued for data-driven strategies to expand high-wage career pathways. Several supervisors said district balance and Salinas Valley representation were important considerations in the selection.

Supervisor Askew moved to appoint Pittman to the seat; Supervisor Alejo seconded the motion. The board approved the appointment by voice vote.

The position fills a seat that the committee had been unable to decide upon after a narrow committee vote; the board took the opportunity to choose an applicant who, members said, can represent South County workforce needs and Hartnell'''s role in regional training and economic development.

Pittman will serve at the pleasure of the board; staff said the appointment will be forwarded to the committee and recorded in county appointment records.