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An Inside Look: Feat. Peter Wirth formerly of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank

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*please note: at the time this recording took place, Peter was with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. He has since moved on to new opportunities, but still offers incredible insight into the field of site selection in this interview.

Peter WirthPeter Wirth joined Newmark Knight Grubb Frank’s Dallas office in 2010 to fulfill a commitment to strengthen and expand the integrated services operation of the real estate platform of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s Global Corporate Services division, being one of a distinguished and select few certified GCS Brokers. Peter assists in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to companies around the globe and has a keen understanding for fully leveraging Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s operational consulting arm with the global real estate strategy offerings. Peter’s specialty is location strategy, helping clients identify the fundamental for where they should be and why.

Peter has assisted such clients as Kohl’s Department Stores, Nokia Siemens Networks, AT&T, SuperMedia (Verizon Wireless Yellow Pages), Just Energy, Momentis Energy, Hancock Bank and Huntington Bank, among others. Peter is recognized by both his peers and his clients as a source of trust and integrity.

Prior to joining Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Peter served at GVA Cawley as a global corporate services associate. He has been awarded Power Broker, CoStar, 2013; and Top Office Deal of the Year from DCEO Magazine, 2013.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University’s M.J. Neeley School of Business, where he majored in both finance and real estate.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Annie Baxter of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

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Annie BaxterAnn Marie Baxter is the Director of the Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness, and Food Processing (LEAF) industry team within the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).

Annie has served twice with GDEcD, most recently as Senior Project Manager for the Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Manufacturing (ADAM) team and previously as a Statewide Project Manager. She has assisted companies such as Caterpillar; Keurig Green Mountain; Systemax; Bed, Bath and Beyond; and King’s Hawaiian with locations. Prior to her times with the GDEcD, Annie worked for the Electric Cities of Georgia and the Albany Dougherty Economic Development Commission.

Annie is a former Board Member with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and former Advisory Director of its 2014 Future Leaders Class. She also chairs the Young Professionals Committee of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and serves on the 2015 4-H Foundation Gala Committee.

Annie is a graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in Spanish and Public Relations. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis with her ALTA team and enjoying live music as often as possible.

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An Inside Look: Feat. Woody Hydrick of Global Location Strategies

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Woody HydrickWoody Hydrick is a partner and senior principal of Global Location Strategies, where he provides site selection services and economic development consulting to companies and organizations worldwide. Woody has guided companies in the investment of billions of dollars worldwide. Woody provides strategic consulting services for capital investment projects including new developments, relocations, expansions or consolidations.

Prior to joining Global Location Strategies, Woody was a managing director for Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Business Consulting. Some of Woody’s clients include Novartis, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Orica Limited, and Shell Oil & Chemicals. Throughout his career, Woody has executed site searches for clients in North America, South America, Europe and Asia for manufacturing, distribution and headquarters operations representing billions of dollars in capital investments, as well as thousands of jobs. Woody is a recognized as a leader in the field with a particular specialty in life sciences investments.

Woody received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political Science from Athens State University. Some of Woody’s personal interests include travel, reading and family.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Neal Wade of the University of Alabama

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Neal WadeNeal Wade currently serves as director of the Economic Development Academy at the University of Alabama, where he is working to promote and develop strategic partnerships within the university throughout Alabama and the southeast U.S. to strengthen the environment necessary to grow and expand quality jobs and economies. The Academy will prepare emerging and mid-level professionals in the broad field of economic development. In addition, Neal and others are working on an Advanced Certificate for Economic Development that will be offered through a multi-university collaborative.

Neal has more than 25 years of experience in economic development at the private, state and local levels. Prior to joining the University of Alabama, Neal was the director of the Alabama Development Office (now the Department of Commerce) and served as the state’s chief economic developer for eight years. He was also the first president/CEO of the private Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and executive director at the Bay County, FL Economic Development Alliance.

Neal serves as chairman of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama and chairman of the four-state (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) Aerospace Alliance, the 4th largest aerospace corridor in the world.

Neal received his Bachelor of Arts in history from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

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An Inside Look: Feat. Gene DePrez of Global Innovation Partners

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Gene DePrezGene DePrez is a Founder and Managing Partner of Global Innovation Partners, a group of world class innovation thought leaders assisting companies, economic development organizations and universities increase their global competitiveness and form strategic collaborations by accessing partners around the globe.

In addition to Global Innovation Partners, Gene is a Strategic Advisor for Citiscope. He is also a Visiting Senior Fellow for the International Economic Development Council.

In the past, Gene has led Global Business Location and Economic Strategy practices for PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM Global Services, working with hundreds of corporate clients across all sectors and public sector officials from many countries. He worked for Fluor and Fantus where he led global consulting practices and was Chief Innovation Officer for the United Kingdom’s first comprehensive Economic Development Company with a mission to transform a major city-region’s economy.

Gene has been awarded the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Economic Development by the International Economic Development Council. He has also been named a Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in Finance and Science, and received the President’s Award for Public/Private Partnerships, Gold Award, American Film and Television Association.

Gene has been interviewed by major media outlets, has made global keynote presentations and has authored numerous articles in widely-read trade journals.

Gene received his Bachelors and Masters in communications design and urban affairs from Rochester Institute of Technology. Gene has also done post graduate work on Urban Affairs, Community Development and Adult Education at Syracuse University.

 

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Doug Lawyer of the Knoxville Chamber

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Doug LawyerDoug Lawyer is the Vice President of Economic Development at the Knoxville Chamber. Doug leads efforts to recruit new jobs, wages and capital investment into the Innovation Valley region. Doug joined the Chamber in 2001. He is also the past President of the Tennessee Economic Development Council as well as Past Chair of the Tennessee Economic Partnership.

Doug received his Bachelor of Arts in geography and political science from Wittenberg University and his Masters in urban planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has also been awarded the Certified Economic Developer designation.

Doug loves everything outdoors, from hiking to biking to raising his amazing daughters. Doug also enjoys cooking for family and friends.

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An Inside Look: Feat. Barry Pisano of ADP Tax Credit Services

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barry pisanoBarry Pisano works as a Tax Manager for ADP Tax Credit Services based in the Greater New York Area. He has more than ten years of experience assisting companies with negotiation and procurement; and compliance and administration of credits and incentives. Barry has worked with Fortune 500 companies and in the industry clusters of financial services, banking, manufacturing, logistics and transportation.

He is frequently published in the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives, and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar and New York State Bar.

Barry received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and international studies from the University of Richmond and his Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Brenda Robbins of Georgia Power

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Brenda RobbinsBrenda Robbins is a senior project manager of economic development for Georgia Power. In this role, she is responsible for facilitating the location, expansion or start-up of businesses wishing to invest in Georgia. Brenda assists companies in identifying potential communities, sites or buildings throughout the state; she also provides market evaluation, construction information, engineering assistance, and serves as a liaison between the businesses and governmental agencies involved in the site selection process. Brenda has a strong background in information systems and software, establishing data centers and talent recruitment.

She has extensive expertise and experience with headquarters locations, information technology, finance and insurance, business services, bio science, health IT and data centers. Brenda has worked with more than 150 companies that have established a presence in Georgia, collectively investing more than $7 billion and employing more than 34,000 Georgians.

Brenda is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Metro Atlanta Bioscience Leadership Council and the Alpharetta Technology Commission. She serves on the board of directors of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS® (ACBR) and was named the organization’s 2014 Affiliate of the Year.

Brenda graduated from Auburn University with a business administration degree in marketing. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at Georgia State University. Brenda is a volunteer with Atlanta Pet Rescue. Her interests include travel, whitewater rafting and gardening.

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An Inside Look: Feat. James Beatty of NCS International

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James BeattyJames Beatty founded NCS International in 1984, specializing in conducting location analysis and recommendations for corporate expansions and working with economic development firms and chambers of commerce internationally to develop strategies to attract corporate investment. As president, James’ primary focus is on customer service, support service, back office, information technology and business process outsourcing sectors. NCS International has conducted over 300 site selection projects representing over $3 billion in corporate investment and providing 30,000 jobs across the U.S.

Throughout his career, James has worked with hundreds of national, regional, state and local economic development organizations representing a variety of companies seeking new and expansion locations. He has been a national columnist and contributing editor/writer for multiple business and economic development publications and his work has been recognized by the world-renowned Aspen Institute, the National Governors Association and featured in the Wall Street Journal. James has written several books on economic development and conducted workshops and seminars training thousands of economic developers over the past 25 years for the International Economic Developers Council.

James has a strong history of involvement with civic organizations including the YMCA of Greater Omaha and The First Tee of Omaha/Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes Foundation. He has been inducted into the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame, and has served as vice chairman of the Omaha Metropolitan Transit Authority and of the Nebraska Economic Development Authority.

James received his bachelor of arts in mathematics from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska where he was a track star and was the first African American to major in mathematics.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Jana Jones of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership

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Janes JonesJana Jones has been with the Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP) since 2006, and is currently the Director of Economic Development Services. During Jana’s tenure with BVEP, she has worked on a variety of business attraction projects, assisted with local business expansions and on advocacy issues. In addition to economic development, she is also co-owner of an Idaho winery, Crossings Winery, with her brother.

Prior to joining BVEP, Jana worked in the economic development field at the State of Idaho, Department of Commerce as Marketing Manager for the Economic Development Division. Jana has also spent time in the private sector, including 12 years as President and Owner of Silver Creek Inc., a regional distributor of fresh produce in Idaho and Utah.

Jana is also involved with a variety of organizations, including past president of the Idaho Economic Development Association and current co-chair of the Education Committee, and has been a board member for the past five years. She is also on the Board of Directors of SWI-MA, Southwest Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, former board member of Capital Matrix, an Idaho 504 loan program, a finalist for Idaho Woman of the Year 2013, an alumnus of Leadership Idaho Agriculture and regularly volunteers at charitable events in the Boise Metro.

Jana is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a double major in public relations and advertising.

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