Greenville - ENC Alliance Hires its First President and CEO

Published:
4/22/2020
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GREENVILLE, North Carolina (April 21, 2020) - After a national search, the Greenville - ENC Alliance Search Committee has selected Steven Weathers, CEcD, to be the organization’s first President & Chief Executive Officer.

Steve comes to the Alliance with more than 25 years of economic development experience, most recently with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. During his economic development career, he has also worked in San Diego, California; Savannah, Georgia; and Toledo, Ohio.  Over his career, he has been involved in the attraction, retention, growth and start-up of more than 800 companies.

“As Chairman of the Greenville – ENC Alliance, I’ve had the opportunity to work with an incredible board and even more incredible investment partners for nearly a year as we searched for someone to lead our partnership,“ said Alliance Chairman Michael Overton.  “We intentionally took our time to make sure we found the right person for this role and are confident that we have found that person in Steve Weathers who will take economic development in our region to the next level.  His nation-wide experience in both larger and smaller markets will be a key asset as we look to bring strong, high-paying jobs to our communities and to further cement Pitt County as the Capital of the East.”

The Alliance search committee was comprised of representatives from the private, public, academic and healthcare sectors. The committee was chaired by Drake Brinkley, an attorney with the law firm Ward and Smith, P.A. “The search committee focused on finding a top economic development professional to lead the organization, someone who is collaborative, inclusive and engaging. We are confident that we found that person in Steve Weathers,” said search committee chair, Drake Brinkley. “The committee found Steve to be someone that listens to all parties and takes a pro-active approach to economic development.  We are confident that Steve, and the team he builds, will bring economic opportunities and success to our region.”

“Supporting the growth of businesses in our service area is an integral part of Greenville Utilities. Collaborating with industries is vital to our mission. As a member of the search committee, I found Steve to be someone that has the experience and leadership skills we need to lead the Alliance,” said Tony Cannon, General Manager/CEO of the Greenville Utilities Commission. “What impressed me most about Steve was his willingness to listen and learn about the needs of our community and his eagerness to engage all of our economic development partners with a unified goal of improving our regional economy.”

“A top priority of the City of Greenville is proactive economic development, including the attraction of new business, supporting our existing businesses, growth of new businesses and having shovel ready sites and shell buildings ready for new investment and job creation.  Steve is someone with a proven track record in all of these areas of economic development,” said Ann Wall, City Manager for the City of Greenville. “I found Steve to be someone that brings creative ideas, solutions and strategies to improving our economic quality of life here in Greenville and the region.”

“I am excited to have been selected by the search committee and the opportunity to lead this new and dynamic economic development organization,” said Steve Weathers, ENC Alliance President & CEO. “I look forward to working with the board of directors, our investors and all of our economic development partners in attracting new investment and jobs to the region. It will take all of us, as partners, coming together in order to attract new businesses and support the growth of existing companies here in our region. I am confident that all of the private and public partners will rally together, especially in these extraordinarily trying times for our economy, to attract, retain and grow new jobs here in our region.”

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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