Friends—

On behalf of the St. Pete EDC’s leadership, I’d like to update you on the search for our new president & CEO.  The CEO Search Committee has developed a job profile in conjunction with our search consultant, Next Move Group, and we are reviewing applications now. You can see the job profile by clicking below:

The President & CEO will be the driving force behind the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation’s mission of marketing, developing business relationships, and promoting the St. Pete region as a world-class business and career location perfect for quality jobs and competitive businesses that will foster and maintain a diversified, year-round, and sustainable economy for the City of St. Petersburg, and in partnership with surrounding cities.

The St. Pete EDC’s President & CEO is a passionate and dynamic visionary. They must be a collaborator among a diverse group of stakeholders and staff, and, as a member of the board of directors and executive committee, are responsible for working with the executive committee and board to carry out the goals and objectives of the EDC which includes, but is not limited to staff, finances, and strategy development/implementation.

We engaged a national firm to make sure we don’t overlook any talented candidates, regardless of where they’re from.  As St. Petersburg is recognized as a world-class city, the St. Pete EDC wishes to have a professional organization coordinate the recruitment of candidates locally, regionally, and nationally. Our goal is to hire the best candidate to represent the unique St. Petersburg culture and build on the St. Pete EDC’s success. Some of our strongest community leaders originally came from other places. That said, we have encouraged all local qualified candidates to apply. Obviously, knowledge of and love for our community is a plus.

The CEO Search Committee is chaired by EDC Vice Chair Bill Kent, President of George F. Young Co. Committee members are: Brian Auld, President of the Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies, who has served on the EDC Board of Governors for many years and who is the current Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership; Sandra Braham, President of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services and Immediate Past Chair of the St. Pete Chamber; Kathy Gillette, the newest member of the EDC Board and VP of Government Affairs and Chief of Staff at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital; Marcus Greene, St. Pete EDC Chair and Market President for Truist; Nick Hess, EDC Board member, co-chair of the EDC’s Investor Relations Committee, and VP and Wealth Management Advisor at Fifth Third; Jason Jensen, Chair of the St. Pete Chamber and President & CEO of Wannemacher Jensen Architects; John Moore, the EDC’s Secretary/Treasurer and President of Bayfront St. Petersburg; Danielle Ruiz, Director of Industry Recruitment, Duke Energy and Immediate Past Chair of the EDC; Bob Warchola, shareholder at Shumaker and the EDC's General Counsel; Mayor Ken Welch with additional support from the City’s Development Administrator James Corbett.

Next Move Group is an economic development consultant with both national and local experience that has worked with economic development organizations throughout Florida, including Enterprise Florida and the Pinellas County Economic Development department.

Applications were due June 21, 2023. To review the complete profile, click below.

Applications were due by Wednesday, June 21.  The CEO Search Committee is reviewing the applications and conducting initial interviews, and after these, we will be involving additional community stakeholders. Our plan is to have our new president & CEO in place this fall for 2024 planning and budget.

During the transition, our Executive Committee will continue to work closely with the EDC staff on our marketing and business development efforts, and the Chamber staff will continue to provide resources and serve as a sounding board.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or insights, please contact me at marcus.greene[at]truist.com.

Thank you for your continued support and your commitment to our community.

—Marcus

Marcus Greene, Chair, St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp.