GREENVILLE, North Carolina (October 15, 2020) – The Greenville – ENC Alliance welcomes an experienced economic development professional as a Vice President of Business Development. Brad Hufford, a Pitt County native and East Carolina University graduate, has more than 16 years of economic development experience. Many of those years were spent in the eastern North Carolina region.
“Economic development is a wide-ranging field and I’m looking forward to working on a variety of activities including, industrial attraction, business retention and expansion, site and building development, entrepreneurial support, and workforce development,” said Hufford.
During his career, Hufford has worked for various economic development organizations at the local and state levels as well as several not-for-profit groups. This includes previous positions with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Pitt County Development Commission.
“We are fortunate to have Brad join our team with his experience in economic development and educational background in public administration,” said President and CEO, Steve Weathers. “Brad is passionate about strengthening the area while improving the quality of life for the community.”
Hufford will join the Business Development team at the Greenville – ENC Alliance to market Greenville and Pitt County to domestic and international companies interested in establishing or growing operations in local communities.
“My goal is for the world to learn why Greenville is a hidden gem,” said Hufford. “Our community is in a great location for economic development and we have all the assets that companies are looking for. Our challenge is how to best market the area and leverage those assets for community growth.”
Most recently, Hufford was a Vice President with the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, where he served as the lead industrial recruiter for Rocky Mount. He’s excited to be back in the Greenville area to help grow the community that he loves and considers home.
“My family’s roots are in Pitt County, but we moved away when I was young only to return to attend East Carolina University,” said Hufford. “I chose to stay in Greenville upon graduation because I saw the potential of the community and the high quality of life.”
While at ECU, Hufford graduated with a double major in History and Political science. He continued his studies at ECU, earning a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in economic development. In addition, Hufford is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
Hufford is also a local business owner and investor in the Greenville community.
“My wife and I are proud to have started a business that helped kick off the transformation of Dickinson Avenue,” said Hufford. "It is very emotionally rewarding to create economic opportunity for families and change the trajectory of the community’s history."
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Media Relations Contact: Maria Satira
Director of Marketing and Communications
Greenville - Eastern North Carolina Alliance
satira@encalliance.com
252-414-2875
