Consultant Connect announces North America’s top 50 economic developers of 2020
Published: 03/06/2020
Kalamazoo, Michigan – Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2020 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 consultant community for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
Each top 50 economic developer will be featured individually starting April 14 through the selected social media channels of LinkedIn and Twitter. Each award winner will share leadership insights and wisdom for other practitioners in the profession. 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, South Arizona this December.
“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,” said Ron Kitchens, managing partner of Consultant Connect. “Each of the leaders represented on this year’s list are beyond deserving of this recognition for their efforts in building our communities.”
The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2020 includes:
Alejandra Guzman, The New Orleans Business Alliance
Alicia Janesko Hutchings, Kansas Department of Commerce
Amanda Taylor, Greater MSP
Ashley Varnum, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ben France, Little Rock Regional Chamber
Bentley Story, Arkansas Economic Development
Bo Gregory, Development Authority of Monroe County
Brenda Robbins, Georgia Power
Cathy Chambers, Florida Power & Light Company Chassen Haynes, TN Department of Economic Development
Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation
Chung Tan, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Courtney Pogue, City of Dallas Economic Development
Dana Saucier, JobsOhio
Daniel Hengeveld, Toronto Global
Danielle Mousseau, Florida Power & Light Company
Danielle Ruiz, Duke Energy Florida
Don Pierson, Louisiana Economic Development
Doug Kehlhem, MassEcon
Doug Minkler, Greater Seattle Partners
Erin Schneider, Duke Energy Indiana
Glenda Washington, GO Topeka
Grady Fitzpatrick, Greater New Orleans
Heidi Jameson, JAX USA
Isaac Lee, Steuben County Economic Development
Jeff Janiszewski, Empire State Development
Jen Wakfield, Greater Richmond Partnership
Jessi Pederson, City of Glendale, Arizona Economic Development
Joe Melvin, North Carolina’s Southeast
Justin Horvath, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
Kati Hynes, Charlotte Chamber
Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Development Commission
Linda Jolly, El Dorado Inc.
Lisa Hughes, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Lori Becklenberg, Alliance STL
Marvin J. Price, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Matt Hall, One Southern Indiana
Melissa Glasgow, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
Mitch Heaton, Dayton Development Coalition
Mitchel Allen, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Patty Huddle, ONE Columbus
Rachel Pierson Delamain, Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Rebecca Nolan, Metro Hartford Alliance
Richard Corelison, OGE Energy Corporation
Robert Trezise Jr., Lansing Economic Area Partnership
Scarlett Phaneuf, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
Stephen Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Steven Wright, City of Chesapeake Economic Development
Thomas Maynard, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Tim Allen, Fort Smith Chamber
About Consultant Connect
Consultant Connect is designed to bridge the gap between leading economic developers and 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.