We're setting
the course for a stronger city.
Mike Swesey, president & CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp., helps business leaders find, explore, and choose the Sunshine City as a place to relocate or expand their companies. He leads St. Pete’s efforts to attract employers that bring higher-paying jobs, innovation, and investment to the area.
Mike is an authentic and approachable leader with more than 30 years of economic development experience. Prior to joining the St. Pete EDC, he drove economic growth in a variety of roles at the Greater Des Moines Partnership in Des Moines, Iowa for more than two decades, most recently as executive vice president. He led 30 successful expansion/relocation projects each year, creating more than $1B in new capital investment. He has marketed the business advantages of that region to site selection consultants, corporate real estate executives, and a national network of business location influencers he has built.
Mike has a bachelor’s degree in city/urban, community, and regional planning from Iowa State University. His Midwestern roots position him well for St. Petersburg’s welcoming culture, and he is no stranger to the region, having visited family and friends here many times each year over the past 20 years.
Mike’s delighted to now be living in Paradise, where he enjoys golf, running and biking on our local trails, being close to the water, and experiencing the great restaurants, festivals, arts, and outdoor life of St. Pete. He is counting the days to the Rays’ first home game.
Anne Core
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation
Anne Core, vice president, marketing & communications for the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corp., designs and executes the St. Pete EDC’s marketing and communications initiatives to position St. Petersburg as a world class location for businesses and talent. She oversees the EDC's messaging, including website content, social media, advertising, and communications to prospects, Investors, and community stakeholders.
Anne's background is in helping organizations communicate. Prior to joining the EDC, Anne served as marketing director at a strategic marketing consultancy and as director of marketing at a regional law firm outside Washington, DC. She also served as executive director of a local chamber of commerce and EVP of a tech trade association. Anne graduated cum laude from Georgetown University.
In addition to extolling the virtues of St. Petersburg as a fantastic place to live, work, and play, Anne loves walking near the water with her rescue dog, a Chihuahua-Pekingese mix named Furby, and reading on the beach at sunset.
Morgan Lazzara
Business Development Representative
St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation
Morgan Lazzara, the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corp.'s business development representative, helps companies considering relocation to or expansion in St. Petersburg. She consults with executives, founders, and site selection consultants throughout the exploration and decision-making process, providing them with information about and connections to people, places, and programs in the Sunshine City.
Morgan is experienced in B2B business development. Prior to joining the EDC, she served as relationship manager and sales & marketing specialist at one of the country's top experiential learning companies, where she generated, nurtured, and reinforced relationships with prospects and customers. Before that, she was an executive recruiter who sourced and recruited for executive level roles for the U.S., Canada, and India, and handled domestic and international relocations for both internal and external candidates. She received an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BS in Business Administration from Webber International University.
Morgan is a 4th generation St. Pete native and is excited about being part of the EDC mission—she’s followed the EDC since its founding because she’s passionate about St. Pete. When she’s not at the EDC, Morgan spends time outdoors (ideally on the water) with her husband Steven and her son Noble.