Staff

J. Thomas Ranken

Tom is the President & CEO of the Washington Clean Technology Alliance.

Prior to joining the WCTA, Tom was a Seattle-based entrepreneur and management consultant.  Tom co-founded and was CEO of VizX Labs, which developed the GeneSifter software system used to make discoveries about genes.  Tom also led a team that turned around and doubled the size of Axio Research Corporation following significant losses, which was later sold to Solutia.  He directed public affairs at the state’s largest biotechnology company, Immunex (now Amgen), and was President of the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.  He spent seven years in banking.

Tom was elected Chair of the national Council of State Bioscience Associations.  He was appointed Chair of the DC-based Biotechnology Industry Organization’s State Government Committee, was instrumental in crafting the highly successful state affiliate strategy, and was elected to the Emerging Companies Section of BIO’s Board.  He was also a key player in the state’s Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association for many years as Chair of the Board, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, member of the Board, and as CEO for three years.

Tom spent fourteen years as a Trustee of Harborview Medical Center including serving as President of the Board.  He has served on the Boards of VizX Labs, Axio Research, the Technology Alliance, the University Sunrise Rotary Club (President), Seattle Mental Health (Chair), Crisis Clinic, Magnolia United Church of Christ, and others.  He spent five years as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 80 and now serves on the Aurora District Committee as Finance Chair.

Tom has an MBA from the University of Washington and a BA in economics from the University of Virginia.  His MBA thesis was “US Petroleum Dependence and Energy Alternatives.”

On weekends, he can often be found playing his guitar or camping with the Boy Scouts.

Maureen Takaoka, Business Development Events Manager

Maureen Takaoka

Maureen joined WCTA to organize clean technology events and assist with the administration and operations of the association.  She brings more than 7 years of experience producing events for the Seattle and Spokane offices of Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association as director of business development events.  Interests in sustainable agriculture and alternative energy resources compelled Maureen  to start her own business in eastern Washington where she operated  an events business focused on workshops about alternative building structures, permaculture design, and preserving traditions.

Maureen will work closely with the WCTA President and committees to engage the community with clean technology businesses and enhance growth of this industry in Washington state.

Joe Meyer, Intern

Joe is heading into his senior year at Western Washington University studying economics/environmental studies.  He was appointed by Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell to serve as a US Senate Page.  Joe is an Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 80.  He is currently working as a summer intern for WCTA and lifeguard at Pop Mounger Pool.

Michelle Ranken, Intern

Michelle will be a junior at the University of Washington.  She is majoring in political science and plans to attend law school after completing her undergraduate degree.  She studied in the International Baccalaureate program in high school and also played competitive volleyball for her high school and for club teams.  Michelle is currently taking summer classes at UW while interning for enterpriseSeattle and assisting with the WCTA.