NEW ORLEANS – Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., has been voted one of “North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers” by Consultant Connect.
Consultant Connect, a consulting agency and joint venture between New York-based Development Counsellors International and Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Southwest Michigan First, is designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants by giving them the applicable information necessary to propel their communities forward.
The economic developers selected for the Top 50 list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
Reps for GNO, Inc. said Hecht, who joined GNO, Inc. in 2008, has maintained an unwavering focus on strengthening relationships, generating relevance and delivering results in economic development. Under his leadership, they said both the region and GNO, Inc. have received numerous national honors by major publications including Forbes, Business Facilities, Bloomberg, Site Selection and others.
Rachel Shields, GNO, Inc.’s Chief of Staff, said Hecht is “a thought leader and visionary who is well deserving of this acknowledgement.”
Along with the honor of being recognized as top performing economic developers, those selected will also be featured on Consultant Connect’s podcast, “From The Ground Up: North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.”
Each of the Top 50 industry leaders will be interviewed to share insights gained from their experiences in the field of economic development, what makes their communities unique and their perspectives on the most important industry and leadership trends of the future.
“The list of ‘North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers’ was developed as a way to acknowledge the work of these 50 economic development leaders and elevate the conversation around best practices in the industry,” Ron Kitchens, managing partner of Consultant Connect, said. “Each leader named is absolutely deserving of this recognition for the work they do every day to build their communities. The insights they share on the podcast are invaluable and worth every minute of your time to listen in.”
The complete list of “North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers” includes:
Andrea Schruijer, Valdosta- Lowndes Development Authority
Annie Baxter, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Bentley Story, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Beth Doughty, Roanoke Regional Partnership
Bob Marcusse, Kansas City Area Development Council
Brenda Robbins, Georgia Power
Brett Doney, Great Falls Montana Development Authority
Brian Hilson, Birmingham Business Alliance
Cal Wray, Clarksville Montgomery County Economic Development
Cecilia Harry, Greater Fremont Development Council
Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Christopher Chung, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Cindy Symons-Milroy, City of Oshawa, Economic Development Services
Courtney Ross, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
David Ginn, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
David Swenson, York County Economic Development
Doug Lawyer, Knoxville Chamber
Douglas W. Rasmussen, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
Gary Thompson, Toledo Regional Growth Partnership
Gray Swoope, Enterprise Florida
Greg Wathen, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
Jana Jones, Boise Valley Economic Partnership
Jay Foran, Team NEO
Jennifer Owens, Lakeshore Advantage
Jeremy Vannatta, Big Sky EDA
Jerry Mallot, JAXUSA
John E. Greuling, Will County Center for Economic Development
Jonathan Sangster, Georgia Power
Justin Horvath, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
Kenny McDonald, Columbus 2020
Larry Burkhardt, Fox Cities Regional Partnership
Laura Brandt, Metro Denver EDC
Laura Leigh Savage, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Lynn Myers, Denver South Economic Development Partnership
Marty Vanags, Indy Partnership
Michael Chrobak, Choose New Jersey
Michael Hecht, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Michael Langley, Greater MSP
Mike Harvey, Northwest Arkansas Council
Mike Ogan, Greater Okalahoma City Chamber
Mike Rosa, Dallas Regional Chamber
Neale Wade, University of Alabama Economic Development Academy
Rachel Pierson, Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Randy Kelly, Three Rivers Planning & Development District
Rodrick T. Miller, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Rusty Brockman, New Braunsfels Chamber of Commerce
Scott Connell, Sherman Economic Development Corporation
Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council
Todd Battle, Kenosha Area Business Alliance
Wendy Dant Chasse, One Southern Indiana
