The Dallas Economic Development Corporation is in search of a new CEO to lead the charge of promoting economic development and business growth in Dallas.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was formed in January 2022. The EDC is a public non-profit corporation established for the purpose of aiding and acting on behalf of the City on matters related to economic development.
The EDC aims to attract more business to Dallas and develop properties already owned by the City, such as Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and Hensley Field. The group is managed by a board of directors consisting of 15 members.
“We can make a difference,” EDC board president John Stephens told Candy’s Dirt. “We can generate jobs. We can generate investment, particularly in underserved areas of Dallas.”
“You’ve got to keep the core of the metropolitan area healthy,” he continued. “You’ve got to keep the heart of the body healthy.”
Stephens said that bringing more “living wage-plus” jobs benefits not only lower-income communities but also the city as a whole.
“If I’m a Preston Hollow guy and my street has got a lot of potholes and I want to get them fixed, the best way to do that is [invest in] the whole city’s economic situation, so there’s enough money to fix my potholes,” he said. “Personally, I believe a good job is the best solution long-term for many of the social challenges we face, whether it’s food deserts, affordable housing, medical care, or crime. I believe people want to work.”
To execute this goal, the EDC is in search of a new CEO. International consulting firm Korn Ferry has been recruited to manage the search, having posted a job listing on September 26.
Stephens said selecting the proper CEO is important to the EDC’s mission of promoting “good growth.”
“All this setup is a lot of work and it’s time-consuming and it’s necessary, but by the same token, that’s just the first half of the job,” he said. “We’ve got to go get some wins for the people of Dallas.”
Stephens noted to Candy’s Dirt that Dallas boasts many economic advantages, including a large talent pool.
“The better the pool is, the better your candidate is going to be,” Stephens said. “We’re trying to cast a fairly open net to get all the best candidates into the pool.”
He added that another one of Dallas’ strengths is “a real diversity of business.”
“We have a really strong long-term economy,” Stephens said, adding that he is in search of a leader who “focuses on results as opposed to discussion.”
“We’re just trying to do what’s best for the city and the people,” he told Candy’s Dirt, adding that “the city” is truly “its people.”
“I really believe people want to help themselves, but we’ve got to get out of the way and give them a chance,” he concluded.
Stephens said a new CEO may be hired in the first quarter of 2024.
