ST. LOUIS — Jim Curran, executive vice president of the Electrical Connection, has been elected board secretary for the Hawthorn Foundation — one of the most influential economic development organizations in Missouri. The Electrical Connection was the first organization with labor representation to join the 102-member Hawthorn Foundation in 2010. The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

The nonprofit Hawthorn Foundation unites corporations, business leaders and labor organizations to advance economic prosperity in the state. Founded 30 years ago by former Missouri Governor and Missouri Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, the Hawthorn Foundation has partnered with Missouri governors, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, as well as a myriad of local and regional economic development organizations, to create and support cutting-edge initiatives that are focused on expanding economic opportunities in the state. In 2007, it created the Missouri Partnership to serve as the state’s lead business recruitment and marketing organization. More information on the Hawthorn Foundation can be found at www.hawthornfoundation.org.

Curran, who has an economic development background, brings the perspective of the Electrical Connection’s commitment to developing all forms of energy to power the future of Missouri. In addition to serving the Hawthorn Foundation board, Curran also serves as vice chair and executive committee member for the board of the Missouri Energy Initiative. Curran’s board service also includes Univerdant Sustainability Network, LLC, the Missouri Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) Readiness Committee and the St. Louis Regional Chamber Energy and Environmental Committee. He also serves on the advisory boards of I-44 High Tech and the U.S. Green Building Council-Missouri Chapter (USGBC) and the incubator advisory board of The Economic Development Center of St. Charles County

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. For more information, visit www.electricalconnection.org.