OneRedmond has solidified and filled a new executive director position to replace the nonprofit’s CEO position, left vacant by Bart Phillips last month.

Kristina Hudson, formerly OneRedmond’s vice president of business expansion for five years, will now serve as the executive director. OneRedmond decided to drop the CEO title in an effort to better reflect the organization as a nonprofit, Hudson said.

The nonprofit began in 2013 when local business leaders brought Phillips on to help build up the organization. After he announced his resignation, Hudson took on day-to-day operations and will continue to lead OneRedmond.

“One thing people may not realize is that OneRedmond is only a few years old,” she said. “In that short time, we have achieved everything we had set out to do. For example last year, we worked with over 420 businesses that impacted almost 15,000 jobs in our region. We helped 36 companies get off the ground and helped small businesses raise over $1.2 million in capital.”

Hudson was chosen for her experience building organizations from the ground up, creating thousands of jobs in the region and is acknowledged as a leader in cluster economic development. According to a press release, she has received two International Economic Development Council awards and said she is “thrilled to have the opportunity to lead OneRedmond and to continue supporting our local businesses, big and small.”

Hudson is an Eastside native and has seen the region change during her 20-year career in economic development. OneRedmond has been supporting Redmond’s businesses as a partnership to maintain a business-friendly environment, create more affordable housing solutions and work with educational partners to secure funding and space capacity.

“OneRedmond’s first priority is to support our regional economy in order for our local businesses to thrive,” OneRedmond board president Robert Pantley said. “Simultaneously, we work to provide a strong foundation for our residents with excellent educational and job opportunities and with affordability in housing. I am thrilled to have someone with Kristina’s skills, energy and track record to lead our effort.”

Hudson plans to forward OneRedmond’s mission through her leadership and added she wants to continue the momentum started by Phillips.

“We need to continue to make sure we are taking care of our own,” she said. “Our own businesses, and our own people. While we have this roaring economy, we also need to focus efforts on affordability in workforce housing and education…How we can make our region’s voice and presence even stronger to get what we need for our businesses and our community. That next step is what I am most excited about.”