Spotlighting individuals in Economic Development who have greatly influenced us!

#EconDevWeek was created by International Economic Development Council (IEDC), with the aim of highlighting programs, best practices and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. Though it may occasionally slip our minds where we got our start, it’s valuable to occasionally reflect on where it all started and celebrate those who motivate us to keep moving forward. This year, the theme honors Economic Development Heroes. 

We reached out to our team to learn about who has influenced or inspired them within the economic development space. Here’s what they had to say…

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Daryl ~ SVP & Chief Operating Officer
Charlie Gatlin.

How have they influenced you and what a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? He once taught me that if you are going to sell Fords, you better have some Fords on the lot. For that reason, we do quite a bit of Community Development work in developing quality product in Georgia.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Chad ~ Industrial Development Project Manager
The person that has been my greatest influence in Economic Development would be my friend Colin Chance.

How have they influenced you and what a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? Colin and I have been close friends for several years now, and it was he who first introduced me to the field when I was contemplating a career change. Both being from more rural communities, we understood how industry had an impact on the places we call home. The thought of contributing to the growth of Georgia’s communities by attracting businesses resonated with me and getting into Economic Development turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

It quickly became apparent to me that Economic Development, much like our everyday lives, revolves around building relationships. We live in a fast-moving city where everyone seems to be in a hurry. Colin and I often discuss the importance of walking slowly through the crowd and not overlooking opportunities to make a new connection or simply extend kindness. Another lesson he shared with me was that it is better to be interested than interesting. Be genuinely interested in others, rather than solely focusing on being interesting ourselves.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Michelle ~ External Affairs Director
The most inspiring economic developers to me are the individuals on the local level who relentlessly strive to grow and improve their communities.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? I have had the privilege to see and be a part of the local team on many occasions and they never cease to inspire; the passion they have for their community and the desire to drag, push, and pull initiatives to fruition always gives me such a sense of pride in what we do every day.  Economic development is hard, it takes time and a lot of dedication.  Finding the inner will to continue sometimes is a challenge, but staying focused and committed to the end goal leads to success. We see it everyday throughout not only our ECG communities, but also across the state of Georgia.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Diana ~ Digital Design & Marketing Specialist
I learned much from Benjamin McDaniel about successfully merging economic development with social media marketing.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? Before joining ECG, I had no background in economic development. I had to start from scratch and learn from exceptional mentors like Michelle and Daryl. Over time, I’ve gained substantial knowledge, enough to confidently articulate our work. Yet, one puzzle piece was always missing: how do I merge my newfound role with my passion for social media marketing, particularly in a professional platform like LinkedIn. It was then I stumbled across Benjamin McDaniel from Barrow County, who challenged traditional norms by using memes, GIFs, and emojis to promote Park 53 North (93.5 acres, county owned site) with so much water that had people asking “Ben, how much water do you have?” and I was reassured me that it’s okay to infuse charm, wit and creativity into business marketing efforts, even on a platform as “no-nonsense” as LinkedIn.

He says, “Our people are our secret sauce, and Economic Development is always about relationships.” He’s always urging us to connect with others on LinkedIn and follow their journeys because you never know who may pop up with a lapel pin for you. The bottom line is Benjamin exemplifies that while LinkedIn may be a serious platform, economic development can also be enjoyable. The choice is ours each day—to blend professionalism with a dash of fun.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Jon ~ Community Development Project Manager
My greatest influence in Economic and Community Development is my grandfather, Marvin Dixon.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? My grandfather never worked in this field, but growing up, we spent a lot of time together driving around Calhoun. He always talked about how all the gas stations, restaurants, and the outlet mall were once fields and pastures, and how everyone went downtown for dinner, entertainment, or to shop. Those car rides around town with my grandad ended up being one of the core reasons I entered this industry.

My favorite lesson he taught me is to have a heart of service. Helping and empowering others is fundamental to community development and is one of the main reasons why I love my job.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Daniel ~ Retail-Commercial Development Manager
Doug Watson, former City Manager of Auburn, Alabama (served for 21 years), adjunct Professor at Auburn University, and retired Professor from the University of Texas-Dallas. In addition to his service on the editorial boards of various peer-reviewed journals, Doug has also been the author, co-author, or editor of several books on local government in American cities.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? While in Grad School at Auburn, I was fortunate to have him as an Adjunct Professor in the MPA program where he served as a mentor to me and aided in cultivating my interest in Economic Development. I interned for him in his office at the City of Auburn and was exposed to his innovative approaches to managing a local government and the importance of creating an environment conducive for economic development.

Diversification.  When Doug helped to establish a city-led Economic Development Department in the 80s, he emphasized the need for a diversified local economy.  In addition to providing an array of services and career sectors, having a diverse tax base with industrial, retail, medical, and educational opportunities can provide a safeguard for large layoffs or other negative economic events

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Morgan ~ Research Analyst
Leia Dedic – Chief Impact Officer of United Way Coastal Empire.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? I had the opportunity to learn from Leia for nearly three years while we were both at Savannah Economic Development Authority. Leia is a problem-solver with everyone’s best interest at heart. Her determined nature, positive attitude, and desire to help others are infectious, and it has encouraged me to expand my research capabilities and to remain confident in my work.

The greatest piece of advice that I received from Leia was to always be open to new opportunities. If you can accept any project with a smile and a “happy to!”, it can open so many doors for you in an Economic Development world that is constantly changing.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Sara ~ Geospatial Designer
Chitra Subbarayan, Principal at CBD, LLC .

How have they influenced you and what a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? I had the pleasure of meeting Chitra briefly during my time at the NEGRC. She assisted with attracting retail and commercial development to a community. She influenced my perspective on economic development and how to leverage and utilize a community’s unique features and assets to market the community and spur development. One of the biggest things I learned from her is that even the smallest asset can have a big impact.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Mark ~ Industrial Development Project Manager
I have too many influences to count, but I would say my parents led me to economic development and municipal work.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? My father and mother met while working for the city of Warner Robins and instilled in me the need to serve your community and to help make your hometown better for all. I carried that mission with me on a state level. Georgia is the best state in the country, and my aim is to play a small part in continuing the success we’ve seen.  

The biggest lesson I learned from my parents is that it’s important to bring everyone to the table to find a solution. In today’s age, it’s so easy to view problems as “us” versus “them”, but to build a lasting successful relationship, coalition building must be a priority.

Who has been your greatest influence in Economic Development?

Scott ~ Industrial Development Manager
Trae Westmoreland, Vice President of Westmoreland Strategies.

How have they influenced you, and what is a favorite quote or lesson you have learned from them? Trae took a chance on me and saw my potential in this industry. He always had time to answer my millions of questions and pushed for a higher standard. Attention to detail – mattered, quality – mattered, and personalization – mattered. Without his leadership, I definitely would not be where I am today.

A lesson I learned from him was that something will always go wrong on a site visit (and it did), but how you handle the pressure sets you apart.

If you encounter any of our team members and economic development partners around town or online, be sure to thank them for all they do for our communities. It can be a thankless job, but we want them to know their efforts are truly appreciated. Additionally, to stay informed on economic development news or read our newsletter, visit our blog here.

About the Economic Development Week

Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, Economic Development Week aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IDCs members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.