City of Chattanooga

Senior Advisor for Economic and Workforce Development

State of Tennessee

Help businesses and business development team navigate labor and workforce development challenges. Serve as speaker surrogate for Economic & Community Development Commissioner. Engage Workforce Development stakeholders on job creation recruitments and expansions.

Director Of Workforce Development

Allen Economic Development Partners

Provided economic development consulting services to municipalities, businesses, and developers throughout Florida and Tennessee. Services include economic and community redevelopment plans, business retention programs, legislation review, and special projects.

Select 2021 Projects:

- Subcontractor under BusinessFlare LLC on the Martin County Post-COVID-19 Economic Development Strategic Recovery Plan. Gathered and analyzed countywide SBA data on PPP loans per municipality, industry sectors, businesses, employee counts, location clusters, and timing of funding rounds. Collaborated with a team of seven economic developers, economists, and city planners, to develop a pandemic recovery plan and implementation matrix highlighting stakeholders, funding, timelines, metrics, and deliverables. 

- Subcontractor under PlusUrbia Design and BusinessFlare LLC for the Development Plan enabling the creation and formation of the West Grove Community Redevelopment Agency. Facilitated online public engagement, participated in-person during community meetings. Reviewed and finalized tax increment financing (TIF) estimates, projections, and proposed allocations. 

- Subcontractor under BusinessFlare LLC for the Village of Palm Springs Florida Community Redevelopment Agency Plan Update. Conducted online public engagement and market analysis review. Partnered with staff and consultants to draft, design, edit, and finalize CRA Plan Update with tax increment financing (TIF) revenues and projections.

- Subcontractor under Dover, Kohl & Partners and Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) on the North Beach Florida Community Redevelopment Agency Plan. Hosted, led, and facilitated online public engagement. Incorporated feedback into a State of Florida Title XI Chapter 163-compliant Redevelopment Plan for the formation of a North Beach CRA.

- IEDC volunteer consultant on market analysis and real estate development for the Hiram Clarke/Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority TIRZ 25.

Consultant

Led City of Chattanooga economic development and workforce development strategies and programs. Created and implemented incentive packages for Business Attraction and Retention, Small Business grants and loans for Entrepreneurial Support, Tax Increment Financing districts, Innovation Districts, and Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) projects. Oversaw infrastructure improvements and site preparation for five major projects. Staffed and routinely briefed 15 elected officials and four appointed boards to include City Council, Industrial Development Board, County Commission, Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, and Regional Planning Commission.

Deputy Administrator for Economic Development

Ryan

Marketed tax services to chief financial officers, tax directors and startup entrepreneurs for global tax services. Conducted sales campaigns via cold calls, emails, conferences, and networking. Reported directly to three shareholders. Sold the following service lines: Economic Development Credits & Incentives, Captive Insurance, Commercial Property Tax, and Sales & Use Tax.

Director of Client Services, Economic Development Credits & Incentives

Real Estate Resource Group

Developed and maintained a database of commercial and retail land owners to generate qualified income-producing leads and referrals. Drafted transaction forms and agreements utilizing the latest technology applications.  Prospected and negotiated exclusive listings agreements with property owners. Designed and created marketing materials highlighting property assets, including floor plans, pro formas, rent rolls, photos, traffic counts, and associated infrastructure. Participated in contract negotiations with property owners, financial institutions, national retailers, and other licensed real estate professionals.

Commercial Real Estate

The Beacon Council

Created urban marketing program for internal and external audiences including collateral pieces, quarterly workshops, annual bus tours, and keynote speaker events. Leveraged governmental contacts to secure federal, state, local, and private funding for job creation projects. Designed and directed targeted-industry economic development activities throughout Miami-Dade County, with a special focus on industrial areas, Florida Enterprise Zones and other areas designated for redevelopment. 

Participated in international business development missions. Coordinated site visits and participated in Site Selector events. Managed an active case load of 20 active projects and prospects for expansion and/or relocation. During market-downturns, provided strategic direction to companies with liquidations, closings, and worker dislocations.

Vice President, Economic Development and Urban Initiatives

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer, P.A.

Developed and implemented marketing, public relations, and business development program for a 50-attorney corporate defense law firm with offices throughout Florida and Mississippi. Directed and reviewed RFQ response efforts. Retained, managed, and coordinated 15 marketing vendors in the creation and implementation of websites, logo designs, copy writing, and ten advertisements for print publications.

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Self-Employed post 9/11

Developed and implemented programs to assist eight businesses and not-for-profits in fund raising, sales, marketing, business development and public relations. Clients included: FAU Football, Blue Ribbon Real Estate, Kristi House/Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center, Performance Executive Search, Alzheimer's Association, St. Mark's Episcopal School, Thorp & Company PR, and Bilzin Sumberg, P.A.

Business Development Consultant

Greenberg Traurig

Partnered with seven senior-level attorneys on business development strategies ranging from seminars and conferences to targeted proposals, multimedia presentations, and RFQs. Successfully managed Miami Practice Group business development efforts for Real Estate, Zoning and Land Use, Corporate Transactions, and Mergers and Acquisitions.

Marketing Coordinator for Business Development

As the Director of Workforce Development at the State of Tennessee, I help businesses and business development teams navigate labor and workforce development challenges, serving as a speaker surrogate for the Economic and Community Development Commissioner. I have more than 20 years of experience in assisting businesses and municipalities with economic development programs, area development plans, legislation evaluation, and small business incentives.

My background in nonprofits, consulting, and city administration has enabled me to develop and implement effective and innovative strategies and solutions for economic growth and recovery. I have overseen infrastructure improvements and site preparation for five major projects, created and implemented incentive packages for business attraction and retention, and collaborated with multiple stakeholders and elected officials. My specialties include economic development, site prep, project management, business development, strategic planning, program development, and commercial real estate.

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