Wake County Economic Development is excited to welcome Erin Smith as our new Project & Marketing Coordinator. In this role, Erin will support business recruitment and expansion projects while helping strengthen the team’s marketing and communications efforts. Learn more about Erin below!

Where did you go to school? What did you study and what drew you to that field?

I recently graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in public relations and a minor in marketing. I’ve always been interested in writing and communications, while combining the business edge that public relations and marketing offer. I enjoy event planning, connecting with people, organizing, and communicating through a variety of channels, which lead me to choose the multi-faceted field of communications.

What activities, organizations or experiences from college had a big impact on you?

During my time at Appalachian State University, I joined a co-ed sales and marketing fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, that fostered both my personal and professional development. I completely transformed from a young college student to a confident professional through leadership experience, competing professionally at a national level, following mentors, and working as a team to achieve a greater goal. The lessons I learned from PSE were invaluable and shaped me into the young professional I am today.

I had the opportunity to work as a Communication Specialist for Frontline to Farm, a nonprofit program through Appalachian State that supports Beginner Farmer Veterans in sustainable agriculture. I learned how to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, organize fundraising initiatives, assist in research and annual reports, along with coordinating our annual Beginner Farmer Veteran Training. This experience sparked my passion for working with nonprofits and community-oriented organizations.

What sparked your interest in a job in economic development?

I’ve always been invested in pursuing community-oriented roles or organizations where I can work collaboratively to achieve a greater goal and better our community. During the summer of my junior year, I traveled for a month and became very interested in urban development and how communities are built and run. This sparked my interest in economic development because it tied community in together with developing the region through a variety of strategies, including marketing and PR which also interested me in this role.

What excites you most about living and working in Wake County?

I am excited to live in Wake County because of its fast-growing speed, professional opportunities, and endless entertainment options. I have never lived in a city before and being that I now live and work downtown, I’m excited to explore city life.

What are you most excited to learn during your first year?

I’m excited to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the Business Recruitment and Expansion team initiatives directly impact Wake County and drive growth. I look forward to learning about project intake and timelines, and how these projects directly impact the Wake County community. I’m also excited to learn how our marketing initiatives and strategies support growth and expansion in Wake County and fully understand how WCED team effectively communicates to the community.