Consultant Connect Announces North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024

Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2024 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 and site location consulting industries for excellent practices, innovation, and success in building the communities they serve. 

Beginning June 3rd, we'll be shining a spotlight on each of the Top 50 Economic Developers across our selected social media platforms, LinkedIn and Twitter. These individuals will have the chance to provide their industry expertise, leadership insights, and career advice to their peers. At Consultant Connect, we're dedicated to elevating the economic development sector by honoring outstanding professionals like these. On November 21st, we'll be presenting the awards to these deserving recipients at our ECONOMIX event in Salt Lake City, UT.

“At Consultant Connect, we see economic development as more than just changing communities—it's about creating jobs that touch lives. It's an honor for us to spotlight North America's top economic developers and the impact they make on the communities they serve."

The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024 includes:

Andrea Enders
REDI Cincinnati

Ann Blair Miller
Roanoke Regional Partnership

Antoine Long
City of DeSoto, TX

Ashlee Chilton
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Ashley Busada, CEcD
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)

Becky Harrington
Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Benjamin Moore
Community Champion

Bert Roach, B.A., MEDP
Woodlands County

Bethany Hartley
South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership

William Murphy, IOM, CEcD, EDFP
Ardmore Development Authority

Brian Vasa
Nebraska Public Power District

Callie Cook
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

Cathleen Flournoy
Missouri Partnership

Clark Duncan
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

Daniel Clark
New York City Economic Development Corporation

David Putnam, CEcD, CWD
Alamance Chamber

Donna Gillespie
Kingston Economic Development Corporation

Dylan Horne
Metro Atlanta Chamber

Eric Icard
The Right Place

Erin Farr
Economic Development Corporation of Utah

Erin Silk, CEcD
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

Gabriella Nuzzo
Greater Jackson Alliance

Haley Tomlinson
Duke Energy Corporation

Heather C. Smith, EDFP, CPM
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Jennifer Lantz
Wilson Economic Development Council

Jose Romano
Economic Development Professional

Julie Carrier
Investissement Québec

Karthik Avadhanula
JobsOhio

Katie Grigar
Tulsa Regional Chamber

Keith Lund
Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation

Kim Wilmes
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Kimberly Young
KC Animal Health Corridor

Kimberly Rossetti
BE NKY Growth Partnership

Kyle Wagner
City of Henderson

Louis David
New Orleans Business Alliance

Marc Valenzuela
Salt River Project

Marvin Price
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Mary Lesa Pegg
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)

Matthew McCollister
One Columbus

Michael Talley
McKinney Economic Development Corporation

Monique Claiborne
Greater Portland Inc

Moriah Williams
Wichita Falls Chamber

Peter Milano
Massachusetts Office of Business Development

Ray Farley
Alliance Pickens. South Carolina. USA

Russell Richardson
Baton Rouge Area Chamber

Ryan Smith †
City of Las Vegas

Stevie Phillips
Cooperative Energy

Tamika Jenkins, CEcD
Hinds County Economic Development Authority

Victoria Ross-Frost, CEcD
Indiana Municipal Power Agency

William (Skip) Scaggs
North Mississippi Industrial Development Association