BARBARA HAYES Chief Economic Development Officer Barbara Hayes is the Chief Economic Development Officer at Rural County Representatives of Calfornia (RCRC) and oversees implementation of the organization's economic development activities. In addition to assisting and supporting local economic development professionals, RCRC's economic development efforts are focused on three key areas - forest resiliency, rural broadband (via affiliate entity Golden State Connect Authority), and infrastructure development. Barbara has worked in the area of economic development for nearly 30 years at both the state and regional level. Most recently she led the Sacramento Region's economic development organization for 20 years. Prior to that, she held several postiions with the California Trade and Commerce Agency, including State Director of the Small Business Development Center Program and in the offices of Business Development and Local Development, providing technical assistance to small businesses and local governments in effort to promote successful economic development efforts.