Courtney Ross is the Chief Economic Development Officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Courtney is ascending to that role at a time when Nashville’s economy is creating jobs at an almost unrivaled pace, helping elevate Nashville’s national profile to record heights.
Prior to being promoted to Chief Economic Development Officer, Courtney worked as the Vice President of Existing Business, which means she was in charge of helping grow businesses already located in the Nashville market. Courtney also was an associate at an economic development marketing firm and a director of corporate recruitment for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce – a city many Nashville leaders use as a yardstick to gauge their growth.
Courtney enjoys many different things outside of her work including spending time with her husband and two children and traveling.
Courtney graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
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Michael Langley is the founding CEO of GREATER MSP, the Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership. GREATER MSP leads global promotion, regional strategy, and project management for economic growth and job creation in the Minneapolis Saint Paul region, with 3.5 million residents and a Gross Metropolitan Product of over $230 billion. He brings years of experience to the role as a widely recognized economic development strategist who has also led successful regional economic development organizations in Florida and Pennsylvania.
Michael’s award winning work as a practitioner includes his leadership as CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, often regarded as a globally-leading organizational model for regional economic development, regional advocacy, and public policy research.
Since the formation of GREATER MSP in 2011, the Minneapolis Saint Paul region has achieved strong job growth and record unemployment, and has been recognized widely for its diverse and resilient economy. The Atlantic recently published an article citing “The Minneapolis Miracle” and CNBC’s 2015 “Best States for Business” ranks Minnesota #1. The Greater MSP led “Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership” was also awarded the “Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership” (IMCP) designation from US Department of Commerce in July 2015.
Prior to becoming an economic development practitioner, Michael led a successful corporate career, spent primarily in the technology sector working in leadership positions for a number of Westinghouse/CBS divisions, including serving as President and CEO of Westinghouse Audio Intelligence Devices, Inc., a world leader in wireless surveillance technology.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mike also earned a MS in information systems from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He served as a Navy pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flight and crew time on surveillance and intelligence missions worldwide and as a technology analyst on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate in Humanities by American Intercontinental University for his work in community improvement.
Michael’s community service includes leadership on the Board of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Metropolitan State University Foundation Board of Trustees, the Super Bowl LII Host Committee Executive Board, the NAIOP Board of Directors, and the Board of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
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Laura Brandt is the Director of Economic Development for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and has more than 30 years of experience in economic development, community organization and marketing. Laura assists with prospects, research and business recruitment and retention.
Since joining the Metro Denver EDC, Laura has worked on a variety of office and industrial projects including Vestas, DaVita, Lockheed Martin, Fidelity, Ardent Mills and Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company.
Prior to joining the Metro Denver EDC, Laura was an Economic Development Specialist for the City of Lakewood for six years. While at Lakewood, she coordinated the creation of two urban renewal districts and the relocation of more than 50 businesses that were displaced by the $750 million Belmar redevelopment.
Laura served three terms as a member of the City Council in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville.
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Jerry Mallot is executive vice president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and president of JAXUSA Partnership, formerly Cornerstone. Jerry directs a staff of 12 in the areas of business development, international, workforce and research. Jerry led the formation of a seven-county economic development program to expand high wage jobs in northeast Florida. During his tenure, Jacksonville has seen its greatest number of new and expanded companies, as well as new jobs created, in the city’s history.
Prior to coming to Jacksonville in January of 1994, Jerry was senior vice president of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a six-county regional economic development program. Jerry served as Mayor Alvin Brown’s economic development advisor in 2011 and 2012.
Jerry is a member of the Executive Advisory Board of Jacksonville University School of Business, THE PLAYERS Council, Community Connections and the Gator Bowl Association. He is a past president of Leadership Jacksonville and the Florida Economic Development Council as well as the World Trade Center Association of Florida. Jerry has served on the Board of Enterprise Florida, the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, Visit Jacksonville and the World Affairs Council. He has been named the Economic Development Professional of the Year in both Florida and Kansas. He has won awards such as the Northeast Florida Business Hall of Fame, Ultimate CEO by Jacksonville Business Journal and Florence Davis Community Achievement Award from Community Connections.
Jerry received a Bachelor’s degree in business and a Master’s degree in economics from Wichita State University. Jerry has also earned the Certified Economic Developer and Certified Chamber Executive designations.
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Ann Marie Baxter is the Director of the Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness, and Food Processing (LEAF) industry team within the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).
Annie has served twice with GDEcD, most recently as Senior Project Manager for the Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Manufacturing (ADAM) team and previously as a Statewide Project Manager. She has assisted companies such as Caterpillar; Keurig Green Mountain; Systemax; Bed, Bath and Beyond; and King’s Hawaiian with locations. Prior to her times with the GDEcD, Annie worked for the Electric Cities of Georgia and the Albany Dougherty Economic Development Commission.
Annie is a former Board Member with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and former Advisory Director of its 2014 Future Leaders Class. She also chairs the Young Professionals Committee of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and serves on the 2015 4-H Foundation Gala Committee.
Annie is a graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in Spanish and Public Relations. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis with her ALTA team and enjoying live music as often as possible.
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Neal Wade currently serves as director of the Economic Development Academy at the University of Alabama, where he is working to promote and develop strategic partnerships within the university throughout Alabama and the southeast U.S. to strengthen the environment necessary to grow and expand quality jobs and economies. The Academy will prepare emerging and mid-level professionals in the broad field of economic development. In addition, Neal and others are working on an Advanced Certificate for Economic Development that will be offered through a multi-university collaborative.
Neal has more than 25 years of experience in economic development at the private, state and local levels. Prior to joining the University of Alabama, Neal was the director of the Alabama Development Office (now the Department of Commerce) and served as the state’s chief economic developer for eight years. He was also the first president/CEO of the private Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and executive director at the Bay County, FL Economic Development Alliance.
Neal serves as chairman of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama and chairman of the four-state (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) Aerospace Alliance, the 4th largest aerospace corridor in the world.
Neal received his Bachelor of Arts in history from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Doug Lawyer is the Vice President of Economic Development at the Knoxville Chamber. Doug leads efforts to recruit new jobs, wages and capital investment into the Innovation Valley region. Doug joined the Chamber in 2001. He is also the past President of the Tennessee Economic Development Council as well as Past Chair of the Tennessee Economic Partnership.
Doug received his Bachelor of Arts in geography and political science from Wittenberg University and his Masters in urban planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has also been awarded the Certified Economic Developer designation.
Doug loves everything outdoors, from hiking to biking to raising his amazing daughters. Doug also enjoys cooking for family and friends.
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Brenda Robbins is a senior project manager of economic development for Georgia Power. In this role, she is responsible for facilitating the location, expansion or start-up of businesses wishing to invest in Georgia. Brenda assists companies in identifying potential communities, sites or buildings throughout the state; she also provides market evaluation, construction information, engineering assistance, and serves as a liaison between the businesses and governmental agencies involved in the site selection process. Brenda has a strong background in information systems and software, establishing data centers and talent recruitment.
She has extensive expertise and experience with headquarters locations, information technology, finance and insurance, business services, bio science, health IT and data centers. Brenda has worked with more than 150 companies that have established a presence in Georgia, collectively investing more than $7 billion and employing more than 34,000 Georgians.
Brenda is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Metro Atlanta Bioscience Leadership Council and the Alpharetta Technology Commission. She serves on the board of directors of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS® (ACBR) and was named the organization’s 2014 Affiliate of the Year.
Brenda graduated from Auburn University with a business administration degree in marketing. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at Georgia State University. Brenda is a volunteer with Atlanta Pet Rescue. Her interests include travel, whitewater rafting and gardening.
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Jana Jones has been with the Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP) since 2006, and is currently the Director of Economic Development Services. During Jana’s tenure with BVEP, she has worked on a variety of business attraction projects, assisted with local business expansions and on advocacy issues. In addition to economic development, she is also co-owner of an Idaho winery, Crossings Winery, with her brother.
Prior to joining BVEP, Jana worked in the economic development field at the State of Idaho, Department of Commerce as Marketing Manager for the Economic Development Division. Jana has also spent time in the private sector, including 12 years as President and Owner of Silver Creek Inc., a regional distributor of fresh produce in Idaho and Utah.
Jana is also involved with a variety of organizations, including past president of the Idaho Economic Development Association and current co-chair of the Education Committee, and has been a board member for the past five years. She is also on the Board of Directors of SWI-MA, Southwest Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, former board member of Capital Matrix, an Idaho 504 loan program, a finalist for Idaho Woman of the Year 2013, an alumnus of Leadership Idaho Agriculture and regularly volunteers at charitable events in the Boise Metro.
Jana is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a double major in public relations and advertising.
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Jay Foran is the senior vice president of Team Northeast Ohio (NEO). Jay helps businesses discover exciting growth opportunities in the Cleveland Plus region. He works with site selectors and corporate clients and helps them navigate through the regional economic development framework, partnering with local and state economic development groups.
Prior to joining Team NEO, Jay was vice president, Business Development for The Lake West Group LLC, a management consulting firm. Jay also served in a variety of key leadership positions with Procter & Gamble during a lengthy and distinguished career where he was responsible for a variety of business building initiatives that have been emulated throughout the consumer products industry.
Jay has an impressive record of leadership in enabling successful civic advocacy organizations, private and public campaigns, and assessments to support community sustainability. He currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Lakewood Hospital Foundation and is a Lakewood Alive Founder, Officer and Board Member.
Jay received his Bachelor of Science in marketing management from Miami University.
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