ATLANTA (May 18, 2011) - In what can be described as a major move for the city, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed today named Obama administration official Brian McGowan as president and CEO of the Atlanta Development Authority. McGowan, shown here with Vice President Joe Biden, has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and COO for the U.S. Economic Development Administration since September 2009.
The Atlanta Development Authority is the city of Atlanta's official economic development agency. Carter President Scott Taylor served as chairman of the Selection Committee.
Here's the official press release, issued by the mayor's office this afternoon.
NEWS RELEASE
Mayor Kasim Reed Names President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Development Authority
Brian P. McGowan brings more than 15 years of economic development experience at all levels of government to the City of Atlanta
ATLANTA - Mayor Kasim Reed today named Brian P. McGowan as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Development Authority. McGowan has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and COO for the U.S. Economic Development Administration since September 2009. McGowan was also detailed to the White House from July to November 2010 to establish and lead an Economic Solutions Group within the National Incident Command to help communities along the gulf mitigate the economic impacts of the BP oil spill.
“I believe that Brian McGowan’s extensive experience having worked at all levels of government will help the Atlanta Development Authority continue to move the City of Atlanta toward economic recovery,” said Mayor Reed. “We’ve made great strides over the past 16 months with initiatives such as the ongoing revitalization of the Historic Westside District, the redevelopment of Fort McPherson, and the relocation of Porsche’s headquarters to the city. I am confident that under Brian’s leadership, we will build on that strong foundation and generate even more economic investment and development opportunities for the City of Atlanta.”
“I am honored to have been selected as the new President/CEO of the Atlanta Development Authority, and I am grateful for the confidence that Mayor Reed and the board members have placed in me,” McGowan said. “Atlanta is one of America’s greatest cities because of the value it has placed on innovation, education and connections to the global economy. It’s an economic powerhouse and a city poised for 21st century leadership and growth. I look forward to working with public and private sector leaders throughout the region to accelerate that momentum and create jobs and opportunity for the people of Atlanta.”
Before joining the Obama Administration, McGowan was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and served as California’s Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Commerce in the Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency. Prior to that, he was appointed as the Economic Development Agency Administrator for the County of San Bernardino, California, overseeing four departments focused on economic development, community development and housing, redevelopment, and workforce development. He also worked for the Cities of Ontario and Palm Springs in California. In addition, McGowan served as a consultant on a U.S. Agency for International Development funded program to help cities in Bulgaria and Serbia create economic development and growth strategies.
While serving the State of California, McGowan created the California iHub program to strengthen California’s economic clusters and the California Certified Sites program to accelerate the development process for new projects. McGowan also served on the boards of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the California Employment Training Panel, the California Workforce Investment Board, the International Trade Advisory Committee and the California Travel and Tourism Commission.
While serving in the Obama Administration, McGowan worked to modernize the Economic Development Administration by streamlining operating systems, created new “innovation challenge” programs, supported America’s regions through new trade and foreign direct investment programs, developed new “economic cluster” initiatives and expanded EDA’s role in leading the federal economic development agenda. A tireless advocate of small businesses and entrepreneurship, he recently was tapped by President Obama to be part of an initiative that engages directly with America’s businesses create jobs and increase competitiveness. He also served on the U.S. Historic Preservation Board and was elected Vice Chair of the Rural Working Party for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development inParis.
McGowan received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s degree in Politics, Economics, and Business from the Claremont Graduate University. He was also the Michael and Mary Johnston Fellow at the Claremont Graduate University, where he is completing a PhD in American Politics and Policy.
McGowan was one of three finalists selected by Mayor Reed following a national search conducted on the City’s behalf by Ken Taunton of the Royster Group and an independent selection committee.
The Atlanta Development Authority Selection Committee was chaired by Scott Taylor, president of Carter. Other members of the committee were: Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd, Anna Foote and Julian Bene.
ABOUT ATLANTA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Atlanta Development Authority is the official economic development agency for the city of Atlanta. ADA is a research-based economic development organization, focused on residential, business and investment growth in the city. ADA manages the city’s ten tax allocation districts. Visit www.atlantada.com.
###
For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26
Recent Comments