Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, was elected President on Wednesday of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region at the organization’s Annual Summit in Anchorage, Alaska. Ranker has served as the organization’s vice president the last two years.

Formed in 1991, PNWER is a non-partisan, public-private partnership that includes Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada; and Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana in the United States. It works to increase the economic well-being, coordinate energy, economic and environmental strategies and enhance competitiveness of the region. The partnership represents a combined GDP of $1 trillion.

The PNWER president heads the executive committee and represents the organization in visits to both nation’s capitals, as well as state and provincial meetings throughout the region.