Orange County NC Website
13 <br /> Diversity of Viewpoints Board #2 <br /> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD I bring the perspective first of an entrepreneur as I <br /> started my first tech company in Chapel Hill. I believe that economic opportunities can solve some of the <br /> largest problems we face. I first sought to tackle a global problem on a local scale: climate change. In <br /> 2009, fresh out of undergrad at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, I started my first company, <br /> Wecycles, based in Orange County. WeCycles was a company that would provide bike-sharing transit <br /> through a network of automated kiosks, reducing CO2 emissions by replacing cars for short-distance <br /> travel. I started in Chapel Hill, and was the second mover in the entire United States for a bike-sharing <br /> business. While the company did not succeed due to the Recession, through WeCycles, I learned the <br /> basics of running an organization, inspiring team members, building a local workforce, and engaging <br /> constituents. I vigorously lobbied the Chapel Hill Mayor and Town Council to invest in the project, and <br /> improve public biking infrastructure. However, the town of Chapel Hill was unwilling to support bike- <br /> sharing due to the project being well ahead of its time. As a 21 year-old in 2008, 1 realized right then and <br /> there that local government representatives hold considerable power and influence over economic growth <br /> in my town of Chapel Hill and towns and cities across America. The experience of starting my first <br /> company in 2009 in Chapel Hill sent me to public service so I could help improve economic opportunities <br /> for others. I started at the national scale as an Economic Policy Advisor for the Obama Administration in <br /> the White House. I am eager to bring my experience, as an entrepreneur and a national policy wonk to <br /> Orange County's Economic Development Advisory Board. <br /> Conflict of Interest Board #2 <br /> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD I do not have any conflicts of interest to serve on this <br /> board. <br /> Reasons Want to Serve Board #3 <br /> Relevant Experience Board #3 <br /> Diversity of Viewpoints Board #3 <br /> Conflict of Interest Board #3 <br /> Past Service <br /> Demographics <br /> We ask your help in assuring diversity of membership by answering the following questions: <br /> Age Range <br /> W 35-59 <br /> Hasan AAbdullah <br />