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From The Ground Up: Feat. Tracye McDaniel of the Texas Economic Development Corporation

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Tracye McDanielTracye McDaniel is the President and CEO of Texas Economic Development Corporation, Inc., an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is dedicated to economic development, business recruitment, and job creation in the State of Texas. Texas Economic Development Corporation operates the TexasOne™ Program which coordinates efforts with the Office of the Governor for strategic marketing and lead generation activities.

Formerly with Choose New Jersey, Inc., Tracye led global promotion, lead generation and project management for economic growth and job creation in the Garden State and is part of the state’s award-winning economic development organization: The New Jersey Partnership for Action (PFA). Under the leadership of Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the Partnership serves as the starting point for all initiatives, policies and efforts related to growing New Jersey’s economy and creating quality, sustainable jobs. In 2007, Tracye served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), Houston, TX, regarded as a top global location for business.

Tracye holds leadership positions in numerous professional and industry organizations and sits on the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Tracye was also named by NJBIZ among New Jersey’s 2014 Best 50 Women in Business, as well as the 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business. Tracye was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to both the Council on Innovation and the New Jersey Military installation Growth and Development Task Force during her time in New Jersey.

Tracye is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and is a Ford Foundation Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellow, a program of American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Jim Staton of Indiana Economic Development Corporation

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Jim Staton has been involved with Indiana’s business community for over 25 years. He is responsible for promoting the State of Indiana and its economic development incentive programs to companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the state.

Jim currently serves as Director of the Central Region for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which focuses on thirty-three counties in central Indiana. In addition to developing and maintaining partnerships with businesses and community organizations, Staton collaborates with local economic development officials, consultants and utilities on economic development projects. He facilitates the delivery of IEDC services and programs, including business development and small business programs. Prior to leading the Central Region, Jim served as Director of IEDC’s Northwest Office and as Business Recruitment Director, North America. During his tenure with IEDC Staton has logged over 250 accepted deals that resulted in several thousand job commitments and well over $7 billion in capital investment.

Prior to his arrival at IEDC, Staton was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Jasper County Industrial Foundation in Rensselaer, Ind. During his time there, the organization developed five industrial parks, attracted 11 major employers and processed 20 expansion projects which resulted in over $300 million in new private investment and the creation of over 1,700 jobs. He served his then home town of DeMotte, Ind., where he held positions of Town Councilman, Street Commissioner, Police Commissioner and Plan Commission and BZA Member. Staton began his formal economic development career with the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission as an Economic Development Planner/Grants Specialist.

In addition to his responsibilities at IEDC, Staton has been active in a variety of community activities including sitting on the boards of several economic development organizations, including the Northwest Indiana Forum and the Regional Development Company. Additionally, Staton has served in a variety of community activities including; Junior Achievement, Rotary, local Chambers of Commerce, Jasper County Library Board, and several local sports leagues.

Staton, a native of Hartford City, Ind., earned dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Environmental Design and Urban Planning from Ball State University.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Charisse Bodisch of Austin Chamber of Commerce

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Charisse Bodisch is a Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Charisse is an experienced Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) specializing in the recruitment and expansion of companies to the Greater Austin, Texas Region. Charisse has over 27 years of experience in economic development and is able to provide all economic development services including assistance with site selection and guidance with potential incentives through local and state entities.

Prior to assuming this role, Charisse was a Vice President with the Austin Chamber, executive director and chief executive officer of the Allen Economic Development Corporation and also held a position as the vice president of marketing for the McKinney Economic Development Corporation.

Charisse holds a Bachelor degree from Kilgore College.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Chris Camacho of Greater Phoenix Economic Council

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Chris Camacho is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council where he manages the organizations domestic and international strategies to build a more diverse economy in Metropolitan Phoenix.

Prior to becoming President, Chris was the executive Vice President of business development where he oversaw business development efforts with particular expertise in renewable energy, emerging technology, tax policy and international economic development. Chris managed the domestic and international strategies in attracting new industry to the market.

Chris has held leadership roles in several strategic councils within the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Chris also served as president of the Arizona Association of Economic Development (AAED) and has been named Economic Developer of the Year. He is involved in community non-profits including Chicanos Por La Casa, and sits on the boards for the Arizona Business Education Coalition, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Valley of the Sun United Way and the International Economic Development Council.

Chris received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University and his Masters in Public Administration, Public Policy, and Tax Analysis. Chris also obtained his Economic Development Certification from the University of Oklahoma.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Laura Brandt of Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

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Laura is the Director of Economic Development for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. Laura assists with prospects, research and business recruitment and retention.

Since joining the Metro Denver EDC, Laura has worked on a variety of office and industrial projects including Vestas, DaVita, Lockheed Martin, Fidelity, Ardent Mills and Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. Prior to joining the Metro Denver EDC, Laura was an Economic Development Specialist for the City of Lakewood for six years. While at Lakewood, Laura coordinated the creation of two urban renewal districts and the relocation of more than 50 businesses that were displaced by the $750 million Belmar redevelopment. Laura brings more than 30 years’ experience in economic development, community organization, and marketing to the Metro Denver EDC.

Laura received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Steven Johnson of Missouri Partnership

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Steven Johnson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Missouri Partnership in April, 2015. Steve directs the Partnership’s marketing and business recruitment teams, working in close cooperation with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Hawthorne Foundation.

Prior to working with the Missouri Partnership, Steven led regional economic development initiatives in communities throughout the Midwest and Southeast. Most recently, he joined the St. Louis Regional Chamber in 2004 where he served as the Executive Vice President of Economic Development and Market Strategies. Steven previously served in leadership positions with the Kansas City Area Development Council, as well as chambers of commerce in Mobile, Alabama, and Jefferson City, Missouri, his hometown.

Steven received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harding University in Arkansas.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Chris Chung of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

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Christopher Chung joined the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) as chief executive officer. As a public-private partnership, the EDPNC performs a number of economic development functions on behalf of the State of North Carolina, including new business recruitment, existing business support, international trade and export assistance, small business start-up counseling, and tourism, sports, and film promotion. Chris has a staff of more than 60 professionals and an annual operating budget of $19 million and is focused on advancing the economic interests of North Carolina’s 100 counties and 10 million residents.

Prior to joining EDPNC, in 2007 Chris served the Missouri Partnership as the public-private, non-profit corporation’s first chief executive officer. In addition to leading the organization through its initial start-up phase, Chris directed the Partnership’s efforts to market Missouri for new business investment and recruit new corporate operations. During his tenure, the Missouri Partnership helped to recruit major facility investments by IBM, CertainTeed, Yanfeng Automotive Systems, Blue Buffalo Pet Foods, KWS Saat AG, and Aviation Technical Services. Chris also previously served as Manager of the State of Ohio’s Office of Business Development, managing an $80 million annual incentives budget and leading Ohio’s front-line sales force dedicated to attracting new business investment and job creation to the state. Prior to that, Chris held various positions in corporate site selection and special projects management, assisting companies considering Ohio for new facilities.

Chris was dubbed a “rising star” last year by Development Counsellors International, which named him among the industry’s “Top 40 Under 40.” In addition, Chris serves as a board of director for the International Economic Development Council and the North Carolina Economic Developers Association.

Chris holds a degree in economics and Japanese from The Ohio State University, where he also completed significant post-graduate course work towards a Master of Arts in public policy and Management from the OSU John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Jim Flanagan of DeSoto County Economic Development Council

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Jim is currently the President and CEO of the Desoto County Economic Development Council where he focuses on their mission to facilitate, promote and provide effective, unified leadership for economic development and improved quality of life in DeSoto County.

Jim worked as a planning and landscape design consultant in Clarksdale, Mississippi, before becoming planning director and eventually executive director of North Delta Planning and Development District.

He became executive director of the DeSoto County Economic Development Council in 1988 and served in that capacity until 1994, when he accepted a new position as president of the Jackson, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. In 1996 Flanagan returned to the DeSoto Council as president and CEO.

Jim has won numerous awards, including being selected as The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi’s Community Star man of the year award in 2011 for going above and beyond to bring opportunity to his community. In addition, he is responsible for the creation and management of DeSoto Leadership 2000 and the restructuring and administration of DeSoto County Foundation for Excellence in Education, which provides grants to teachers. He was also able to achieve the adoption of the DeSoto County Greenways Plan through the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from University of Mississippi.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Johnna Reeder of REDI Cincinnati

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Johnna Reeder is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati. Johnna was named to her current position in April 2014, previously she was the Vice President of community relations and economic development for Duke Energy. Prior to joining Duke Energy, Johnna led community relations, government affairs and foundation giving for Citi Corporation in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

Johnna is active in community and service organizations, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati Foreign Trade Zone, Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati Research Institute and is a member of the Cincinnati Women’s Executive Forum. Johnna has also received numerous recognitions such as a Woman Worthy of Note by the Kentucky Lane Report, a Top 20 Woman to Watch by the Cincinnati Enquirer, an Outstanding Woman of Northern Kentucky and a Cincinnati Business Courier 40 Under 40.

Johnna graduated from Thomas More College with a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in English from the University of Memphis and is also a graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute.

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From The Ground Up: Feat. Brien Thorstenberg of Tulsa Regional Chamber

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Brien Thorstenberg is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Brien leads the effort for an 11 county region comprised of 29 regional partners in Northeast Oklahoma and works in close collaboration with the Workforce and Education Department of the Tulsa Regional Chamber to meet the workforce needs of the region’s targeted industries.

Prior to joining Tulsa Chamber, Brien was the Vice President of Economic Development where he was responsible for the successful management of all primary job creation and capital investment projects. Brien was the project lead on the successful recruitment of the Macy’s Order Fulfillment Center to Tulsa County. This project (the largest in the Tulsa Region since 2004) with a $170 million capital investment employed 1500 people in a $1.3 million state of the art fulfillment center.

Brien is involved in a number of statewide, regional and local economic development organizations: Oklahoma Governors Economic Development Marketing Team, Oklahoma Economic Development Council, Oklahoma Department of Commerce Foreign Direct Investment Team, Tulsa Futures Regional Partnership and Southeast Oklahoma Regional Economic Development.

Brien received his Bachelor of Science degree in management and economics from Oklahoma State University and his Masters of Business Administration in management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

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