In an active role to promote higher education, economic development, and workforce preparation on behalf of Jefferson County and the surrounding region, Jefferson College President Dr. Raymond Cummiskey has been re-elected as a member of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) Board of Directors for 2012.

This is the second year he has served as an ex-officio board member for the RCGA, whose mission is to unite the region's business community and to engage dynamic business and civic leadership to develop and sustain a world-class economy and community.

Cummiskey has been president of Jefferson College since 2009, during which time the institution has experienced significant enrollment growth and expansion of educational sites and facilities in Imperial, Arnold, and Cedar Hill. The college has additionally created a fully online virtual campus, implemented a long-range strategic planning process, and instituted a variety of new healthcare training programs.

In addition to the RCGA, Cummiskey has leadership roles in several civic, economic, workforce, and community development groups.

The St. Louis RCGA represents the 16-county, bi-state region comprised of the City of St. Louis, the Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Franklin, Jefferson and Washington; and the Illinois counties of St. Clair, Jersey, Madison, Clinton, Monroe, Bond, Macoupin and Calhoun.

RCGA membership constitutes 40 percent of the region's employment base. Businesses of all sizes (from startups to Fortune 1000s), non-profits, government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare, and labor organizations are included in this alliance. As the St. Louis region's lead economic development organization, RCGA strives to improve the business environment and quality-of-life foundations that fuel economic growth. The organization serves as a business liaison between companies that want to grow in the region and the organizations and government entities that can help facilitate that success.