Economic Development Services

Kenny McDonald
Senior Vice President, Economic Development Services
kmcdonald@charlotteusa.com

Kenny McDonald serves as Senior Vice President of Economic Development Services for the CRP. Kenny's responsibilities include overseeing and executing the CRP's business development initiatives. He joined the CRP in July 2003, after working in various economic development and site location consulting roles. Most notably, Kenny worked for the Global Location Strategies unit of Fluor Corporation for over 5 years assisting dozens of companies define their facility location requirements and assisting communities and regions shape their economic development policy.

Mr. McDonald holds a M.P.A from Georgia Southern University, an undergraduate from the Dickinson State University (ND), and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He earned his CEcD in September of 2003.


David Swenson
Vice President, Economic Development Services
dswenson@charlotteusa.com

David Swenson serves as Vice President of Economic Development Services for the CRP. David is responsible for executing the CRP's business development initiatives. He joined the CRP team in December 2006 after working the past 11 years in local and regional economic development and site location consulting.

Mr. Swenson holds a M.S. degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, a B.S. degree in Economic Geography from the University of North Dakota, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He earned his CEcD in August of 2006.


Vanessa Goeschl
Vice President, Research
vgoeschl@charlotteusa.com

As Vice President of Research, Vanessa is responsible for managing economic and demographic data for 16 counties within the Charlotte region, conducting custom research upon request and assisting with related economic development projects as needed. She has previous experience as an economic development specialist with the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission in Waveland, MS, and has worked for the USDA Rural Development State Office in Jackson, MS as a community development specialist.

Ms. Goeschl joined the Partnership as Director of Research in November 2003. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University and a M.S. in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi.


Juawana Colbert
Project Manager
jcolbert@charlotteusa.com

Juawana Colbert serves as Project Manager of Economic Development Services for the CRP. She is responsible for managing the CRP’s business development initiatives. Juawana has recently joined the CRP, after working for The Indy Partnership in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she served as the Manager of Business Development Services for 2 ½ years. She was responsible for gathering requested information and compiling detailed response packets for businesses considering relocation to, or expansion in, the Indianapolis region.

Ms. Colbert received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northwood University in Indianapolis and in 2004 completed the Indiana Basic Economic Development Course at Ball State University. This fall, she is scheduled to complete her third year of EDI (Economic Development Institute)


Carlton Gideon
Research Assistant
cgideon@charlotteusa.com


Charlotte Regional Film Commission

Beth Petty
Director, Charlotte Regional Film Commission
bpetty@charlotteusa.com

Beth Petty joined the Film Division of the Charlotte Regional Partnership in 1998. As director, she works as a liaison between the film production company and our community. Ms. Petty also researches, photographs, and categorizes location sites within the sixteen counties. Ms. Petty is a two-time graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts. She graduated from the Dance Dept. and returned to graduate from the Film School in 1997. While attending film school as a double major in writing and directing, she taught dance, worked as a choreographer and served as the Dance Company Coordinator for Wake Forest University. She has written and directed several short films which have been seen locally as well as internationally. She is also on the Board of Advisors for the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.


Kathleen Byrne
Assistant, Charlotte Regional Film Commission
kbyrne@charlotteusa.com



Community Relations

Leslie Kelson
Director of Community Relations
lkelson@charlotteusa.com

As Director of Community Relations, Leslie Kelson serves as the primary contact for all public partners and private investors. Her responsibilities also include cultivating and building relationships and fund development. Before coming to the CRP, Leslie served as the Director of Relocation Services for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Kelson holds an Associates degree in Fashion Merchandise and Marketing from the Art Institute of Charlotte. She is also a graduate of the Charlotte Chamber Leadership School.





Marketing & Communications

Gina Howard
Director of Communications and Public Relations
ghoward@charlotteusa.com

As Director of Communications and Public Relations, Gina Howard develops and implements communications strategies to increase awareness of the Charlotte region. She has more than 20 years experience promoting international corporations and universities in both Carolinas, as well as extensive writing and editing credits.

Howard earned her B.A. from Duke University and currently is pursuing her M.A. in liberal studies from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A Leadership Charlotte graduate, Howard is actively involved in the community. She joined the Partnership in 2007.


Laura Foor
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
lfoor@charlotteusa.com

Laura Foor serves as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the CRP. Mrs. Foor is responsible for planning and executing marketing events that pomote the region and the CRP. Mrs. Foor joined the CRP in March 2007, after working five years as the Existing Business Manager for Lincoln Economic Development Association. At LEDA she was responsible for the retention and expansion of existing industry in Lincoln County.

Mrs. Foor holds a M.P.A. from Western Carolina University as well as a Bachelor of Science from WCU. She has also completed the Basic Economic Development Course at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.



Budget & Finance / Administrative Services

Melissa Hendrick
Director of Finance and Operations
mhendrick@charlotteusa.com

Melissa joined the Partnership in May 2007 as the Director of Finance and Operations where she is responsible for managing all of the accounting, budgeting, financial and operational aspects of the CRP. Melissa has over 20 years of experience in her field and was the Associate Director of Financial Services in the Structured Settlements business unit at MassMutual Financial Group where she worked for seven years. Melissa also served as Fiscal Officer for Mercer County Economic Development Corporation.

Ms. Hendrick was an honor graduate and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration with double majors in both Accounting and Management from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia.

Judy Ancelli
Finance and Administrative Assistant
jancelli@charlotteusa.com


Kathy Lazarides
Administrative Assistant
klazarides@charlotteusa.com



Information Technology

Philip Ciccarello
Director of Information Technology
pciccarello@charlotteusa.com

Philip Ciccarello is responsible for keeping the Partnership on the cutting edge of technology while maintaining the www.charlotteusa.com website, network, and servers. Mr. Ciccarello also provides technical support to the developers in the 16 counties of our region.

Before joining the Partnership in 2007, Mr. Ciccarello was an IT Consultant for the Virginia Department of Transportation. While at VDOT he worked closely with the Help Desk and Server Administrators to ensure the stipulations of the Seat Management Contract were satisfied.