CARY HIRES FIRST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT director

North Carolina Department of Commerce Sandy Jordan Becomes Cary Chamber VP

Cary , NC –The Town of Cary and the Cary Chamber of Commerce announce the hiring of Sandy Jordan as Cary , North Carolina ’s first-ever full-time economic development director.  Jordan will come to Cary directly from the State of North Carolina where he is currently the Director of Business Recruitment for the NC Department of Commerce working with statewide and regional recruiters on incentive issues, client handling and site development.

Under direction from the Chamber president, Jordan will lead the effort to plan and coordinate Cary’s economic development program, including recruiting and retaining businesses; developing marketing strategies designed to promote Cary as a business location; conducting research; and providing information about economic health, economic and real estate trends, and international development.  He will act as the primary Chamber liaison providing coordination and comprehensive services to the business community.  Jordan ’s first day on the job will be November 6, 2006 .

“We are extremely pleased to have Sandy Jordan join our team.  His background and experience in economic development will undoubtedly serve Cary well,” said Cary Chamber Chair David Finger. 

This new position, funded by the Town and housed at the Chamber, was created based on recommendations from the Town of Cary’s Economic Development Commission after an in-depth economic development study commissioned by the Town Council and completed by Sanford-Holshouser Group in February. 

"We are fortunate to have someone of Sandy Jordan's experience and background to lead our economic development efforts in Cary ," said Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister.  "This program is the cornerstone of a key Council initiative to continue to strengthen our local economy by recruiting stable, high-paying jobs for Cary 's highly educated workforce.  It also marks a significant step in the Town’s continuing efforts to maintain our strong relationship with the Cary Chamber of Commerce, which has long played an important role in economic development for our community."

Jordan was selected from a pool of over twenty candidates from throughout the nation by the economic development governing board that includes Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith who serves as the Town Council Liaison to the Economic Development Commission, Town Manager Bill Coleman, Cary Chamber President Howard Johnson, Chamber Chair David Finger and Chamber Vice Chair of Economic Development Bob Wheeler. 

“The decision to hire Sandy is a coup for Cary ,” said Chamber President Howard Johnson.  “His knowledge of economic development is a true match to the qualifications we were seeking.  I could not be more pleased with this arrangement between the Town and Chamber and the decision to bring Sandy on board.”

Jordan is no stranger to the Chamber of Commerce, previously serving on the Chamber’s board of directors and as the Chairman of the Board in 1995. 

“I am excited about the opportunity of working again with the Cary Chamber, the town and business community and implementing the proposals addressed in the Sanford-Holshouser study,” said Jordan .  “It is an aggressive, multi-year plan covering a variety of economic development strategies that will require a team approach to accomplish.  I am confident the commitment is in place to be successful.”   

Jordan , 58, is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in civil engineering.  Prior experience includes Vice-President of Economic Development, Progress Energy; Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, North Hills, Inc.; Vice-President of Economic Development, First Union National Bank; and several roles including Deputy Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Industry and Trade.  Sandy lives in Raleigh with his wife and has two grown children.

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