“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 Partnership
Ashley Varnum, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ben France, Little Rock Regional Chamber
Bentley Story, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Bo Gregory, Development Authority of Monroe County
Brenda Robbins, Georgia Power
Cathy Chambers, Florida Power & Light
Chassen Haynes, Tennessee Department of Economic Development
Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation
Chung Tan, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Courtney Pogue, City of Dallas Office of Economic Development
Dana Saucier, JobsOhio
Daniel Hengeveld, Toronto Global
Danielle Mousseau, Florida Power & Light
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 Inc.
Heidi Jameson, JAXUSA Partnership
Issac Lee, Steuben County Economic Development
Jeff Janiszewski, Strategic Business Development, Empire State Development
Jennifer Wakefield, 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 Regional Business Alliance
Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Development Commission
Linda Jolly, El Dorado Inc.
Lisa Hughes, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Lori Becklenberg, AllianceSTL
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, MetroHartford Alliance
Richard Cornelison, OG&E
Robert Trezise Jr., Lansing Economic Area Partnership
Scarlett Phaneuf, PowerSouth Energy
Stephen Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Steven Wright, City of Chesapeake Economic Development
Thomas Maynard, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Tim Allen, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
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 consultantconnect.org.
