Ashley Cagle, Assistant Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and Vice President of the Raleigh Chamber was named to the top 50 economic developers of 2021. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site location consulting industry for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
This annual list recognizing North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers is designed to acknowledge the hard work of the top leaders in this field and elevate the conversation around economic development and job creation.
While Ashley has had direct involvement with projects wins creating approximately 13,000 jobs and over $920 million in investments for Wake County over the last five years, she hopes her impact goes beyond the numbers.
“I want our economic development team to be remembered as the team that truly leaned in to ‘prosperity for all,’ and made major strides for our community,” She said. “We are at such a defining moment in our community's history. Our profile is growing, more companies want to locate here, more people are moving here and ensuring that none of our population is left behind is critically important.”
Ryan Combs, Executive Director or the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, was also named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers this year. Ashley and Ryan work closely to position the Triangle as a vibrant and growing economy.
“Our community was literally built on partnership and collaboration across county lines with the birth of the Research Triangle Park,” Ashley said. “That collaborative spirit has never let up and we see its uniqueness as we interact with other communities and work with businesses from all over the world. It's a strategic advantage that can't be duplicated.”
This recognition comes on the heels of North Carolina being named State of the Year by Business Facilities and Raleigh being recognized by Wallet Hub as one of the top state capitals in the country.
The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2021 includes:
Adam Hess, CSX
Andrew Carty, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Ashley Cagle, Wake County Economic Development
Barry Broome, Greater Sacramento Economic Council
Betsy Markey, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Brandon Simmons, REDI Cincinnati
Brian Sillitto, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Cal Wray, Augusta Economic Development Authority
Carolyn Rowley, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance
Cathy Knapp, Southwest Michigan First
Cristina Paredes, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality
Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Chris Strayer, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Christine Mackay, City of Phoenix
Courtland Robinson, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Daniel Silverman, Investissement Québec International
Danny Chavez, McKinney Economic Development Corporation
David Leezer, Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce
Eileen Cai, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Emily Jerkins, Birmingham Business Alliance
FJ "Josh" Fenn, Henry County Development Authority
Gilberto Salinas, Kerr Economic Development Corporation
Janel Carothers, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
Jayson Knott, Maryland Department of Commerce
Jennifer Conoley, Florida’s Great Northwest
Jill Marasa, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
Jonathan Coleman, Laurens County Development Corporation (SC)
Karla Moran, Salt River Project
Kenny McDonald, One Columbus
Kimm Lauterbach, REDI Cincinnati
Kurt Foreman, Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Lenora Fisher, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
Liana Hovakimyan, Toronto Global
Lora Steele, The Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership
Matt McQuade, One Columbus
Matthew Slotwinski, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Meghan DiGiacomo, Highlands County Economic Development
Michael Harvey, Northwest Arkansas Council
Michael Looney, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
Mitch Stringer, Cooperative Energy
Quentin Messer, New Orleans Business Alliance
RJ Ball, Empire State Development
Ryan Combs, Research Triangle Regional Partnership
Sean M. Maguire, Town of Colonie (NY)
Tammy Fields, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Taylor Kielty, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Tim Allen, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tom Ryan, Pasco Economic Development Council
Tony Ramirez, The Borderplex Alliance
Will Williams, Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership
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