Alex is the firm’s resident expert in economic development having overseen 67 strategic projects for 53 communities of all sizes in 26 U.S. states and one Canadian province during his 16+-year career in economic development consulting.

While all places are different, exposure to consistent issues and challenges such as existing business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, prospect marketing and attraction, workforce development, housing, policy and business climate, infrastructure, quality of life and place, diversity and inclusion, resiliency, and regional collaboration has given Alex a well-honed perspective on strategically addressing these issues. Alex believes that developing the plan is just the “end of the beginning;” creating an effective framework for implementation is critical to achieving lasting success.

Continuing his life-long quest to find the perfect egg salad sandwich, Alex looks forward to determining if your community will end his search.

Alex lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife and daughter. While Birmingham has great barbeque, it is woefully deficient for egg salad.

UNIQUE SKILLSET:

Quantitative and qualitative community assessment

Economic and demographic trend analysis

Stakeholder interviews and focus group facilitation

Volunteer management during planning and implementation processes

Organizational assessment and enhancement

Strategic development of economic, community, and workforce development plans

Implementation capacity assessment and process design

Analysis and development of performance and success metrics

Master of City and Regional Planning
Georgia Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Communications
University of California, San Diego