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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jobs Plus hires new president

Gynii Abracosa Gilliam, president of Jobs Plus, Inc. (Unknown Unknown)
A former economic development official for the state of Idaho will lead the effort to expand and diversify Kootenai County’s economy and employment base. Gynii Abracosa Gilliam of Boise is the new president of Jobs Plus, Inc., the Coeur d’Alene area economic development corporation. Gilliam has over 20 years of experience in the field, from rural settings in central Idaho to urban centers as large as Detroit. She was chief economic development officer in the Idaho Department of Commerce from January 2012 to November 2013. After that she ran her own consulting firm to help elected officials and others champion economic development. Gilliam succeeds Steve Griffitts, who in January stepped down after 12 years leading the agency and now is a vice president at Mountain West Bank. “Gynii brings an extensive economic development background and a strong belief in solid relationships in order to partner and collaborate for the good of our local communities and region,” said Patty Shea, chairwoman of the Jobs Plus board. “Gynii is excited about the renewed focus in our mission of retention and local expansion along with an emphasis on start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Shea said. “Her passion will be an energizing force as she takes the leadership reins.” Gilliam is a graduate of UCLA and University of Michigan. “I am very excited to join Jobs Plus, Inc. and look forward to working with the Kootenai County communities to create that balance of taking care of our existing businesses, growing entrepreneurial activities, and recruiting new businesses to help diversify and strengthen our economy,” she said. The focus of Jobs Plus is to retain quality companies already operating in the area and recruit companies that sell on a national or international basis, offer strong wages and benefits and respect the region’s environmental concerns.