SLC mayor launches search for new economic development leader

SLC mayor launches search for new economic development leader

(Luke Franke/Deseret News/File)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski has launched a national search to find a director to lead the city's newly created Business and Economic Development Department.

More than 20 business, community and education leaders joined the mayor as she made the announcement at the Salt Lake City-County Building Thursday.

"This is a key position for our city and my Cabinet," Biskupski said, indicating the capital city's economy is already booming, but it could do more to become more competitive in the global economy.

"We have a pioneering spirit of entrepreneurialism, and we are looking for another pioneer to join our team," she said.

The new mayor first announced in her State of the City address last month that she would "elevate" Salt Lake's division of economic development to department-level status in order to help the city develop a stronger "economic identity."

"It's a move necessary to ensure the person we are searching for now has the capital to align our city agencies, from the airport to the Redevelopment Agency and our arts and business communities," the mayor said.

The ideal candidate for the new position must be a strategic thinker who can envision a citywide plan for sustainable economic growth, in line with the unique needs and values of Salt Lake City, Biskupski said.

He or she must also have a strong record of achievement in building opportunities in economic growth and business development, especially in support of small business, the mayor said. The position requires a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree and 10 years of senior level management within a complex organization is preferred.

Newly elected Salt Lake City Councilman Derek Kitchen lauded Biskupski for joining an audit initiated by last year's City Council to improve the city's business services.

"As a small-business owner myself, I have heard time and again from my colleagues in the small-business community that our systems need to improve," he said.

In a report presented last year, Natalie Gochnour, associate dean of the David Eccles School of Business, said Salt Lake is poised to become a "great American city" if leaders take advantage of the city's potential for economic growth.

"Salt Lake City holds a privileged place in our state" as the capital city, Gochnour said Thursday. "By making this Cabinet-level position that reports directly to the mayor, it elevates the stature of economic leadership in the city. By doing so, I think we will help the entire state."

Smiling, Gochnour turned to Biskupski and made one request.

"Don't let the process take too long," she said. "I say that because this is a city on the rise, and we're ready for that leadership right now."

No deadline was set for the national search, but Biskupski said she shares Gochnour's sentiment.

Those who expressed support of Biskupski's announcement included Val Hale, executive director of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development; Jeff Edwards, president of Economic Development Corp. of Utah; and Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance and vice president of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

"Salt Lake City is in a great spot, and yet we know we can absolutely do better," Mathis said. "We are excited to see what the future holds. We pledge our support to work closely with this new department and this new employee to help ensure success for Utah's capital city."

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