Consultant Connect Announces North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2021
KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2021 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site location consulting industry for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
Each Top 50 Economic Developer will be featured individually starting February 2 through the selected social media channels of LinkedIn and Twitter in conjunction with a featured interview on the America’s Jobs Team Podcast, where each award recipient will have the opportunity to share industry and leadership insights and wisdom with fellow industry professionals. Consultant Connect strives to lift up this industry by recognizing remarkable economic developers for the entire economic development community to learn from. Each recipient will receive their award at Consultant Connect’s ECONOMIX event in Phoenix, Arizona this December.
“Releasing the Top 50 list is one of Consultant Connect’s favorite times of the year because we are so passionate about economic development leaders. This year’s group faced hurdles unlike any other Top 50 group has seen over the past year, and we are honored to provide a platform for them to be recognized for the incredibly hard work that they do every day for their communities,” said Carla Sones, managing director of Consultant Connect. This annual list recognizing North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers is designed to acknowledge the hard work of the top leaders in this field and elevate the conversation around economic development and job creation.
The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2021 includes:
Adam Hess, CSX
Andrew Carty, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Ashley Cagle, Wake County Economic Development
Barry Broome, Greater Sacramento Economic Council
Courtland Robinson, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Daniel Silverman, Investissement Québec International
Danny Chavez, McKinney Economic Development Corporation
David Leezer, Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce
Eileen Cai, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Emily Jerkins, Birmingham Business Alliance
FJ “Josh” Fenn, Henry County Development Authority
Gilberto Salinas, Kerr Economic Development Corporation
Janel Carothers, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
Jayson Knott, Maryland Department of Commerce
Jennifer Conoley, Florida’s Great Northwest
Jill Marasa, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
Jonathan Coleman, Laurens County Development Corporation (SC)
Karla Moran, Salt River Project
Kenny McDonald, One Columbus
Kimm Lauterbach, REDI Cincinnati
Kurt Foreman, Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Lenora Fisher, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
Liana Hovakimyan, Toronto Global
Lora Steele, The Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership
Matt McQuade, One Columbus
Matthew Slotwinski, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Meghan DiGiacomo, Highlands County Economic Development
Michael Harvey, Northwest Arkansas Council
Michael Looney, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
Mitch Stringer, Cooperative Energy
Quentin Messer, New Orleans Business Alliance
RJ Ball, Empire State Development
Ryan Combs, Research Triangle Regional Partnership
Sean M. Maguire, Town of Colonie (NY)
Tammy Fields, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Taylor Kielty, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Tim Allen, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tom Ryan, Pasco Economic Development Council
Tony Ramirez, The Borderplex Alliance
Will Williams, Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership
About Consultant Connect Consultant Connect is designed to bridge the gap between leading economic developers and site location consultants through exclusive networking events, educational services and leadership development. Consultant Connect not only gives economic developers an inside look into the world of site selection – it gives them the applicable information necessary to propel their careers and communities forward. For more information, please visit www.consultantconnect.org.
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