Jorgenson Consulting Fills CEO Post for Virginia Economic Development Partnership
January 23, 2017 – Greensboro, NC-based executive search firm Jorgenson Consulting has placed Stephen Moret as president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority (VEDP). He succeeds past CEO Martin Briley, who left the agency last spring. Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal, led the assignment.
Mr. Moret previously served as secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, taking on that role to lead the state’s economic development efforts in 2008. Before that, he was president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.
“The VEDP was looking for a dynamic leader with a track record of success in working with legislative leaders, state EDO partners and private sector to grow jobs and capital investment,” said Mr. Jorgenson. “They wanted to see candidates that could develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for attracting and growing business in the Commonwealth.”
Mr. Jorgenson said that Mr. Moret “transformed a middling state economic development agency in Louisiana into a fast, creative, and professional organization that repeatedly was recognized as one of the best in American by Site Selection magazine. He worked with his team to create a customized state workforce training program that was recognized as best in the country by Business Facilities seven years in a row.” He noted that Mr. Moret has a PhD and MBA from Harvard and is a “collaborative, thoughtful, innovative and proactive” leader.
Digging Into Industry for Recruiting Talent
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a state authority created by the Virginia General Assembly to better serve those seeking a prime business location and increased trade opportunities, provides confidential site selection and international trade services. VEDP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher income employment opportunities.
With over 20 years of experience, Jorgenson Consulting serves organizations in non-profit, economic and community development. Its clients include Pasco Economic Development Council, Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, and the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Mr. Jorgenson specializes in executive searches for non-profit, community and economic development entities throughout the U.S. His experience includes non-profit executive searches, information technology searches, executive compensation, sales operation management, business development and sales.
Just recently, Jorgenson Consulting named Dianne Reid as managing director of its newly opened New York City office. She is responsible for business development, executive search and client management. Mr. Jorgenson said the firm opened the new office to further serve its clients with operations in the northeastern and southeastern U.S. Ms. Reid recently retired as president of the Chatham Economic Development Corporation, a post she held for almost nine years.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
