Florida boasts eight vibrant and growing economic development regions. Each region is an active participant in the Florida Economic Development Council and the regional directors serve as members of our leadership team.
Florida Economic Development Regions
Regional Directors
Verdell Hawkins – Northwest Regional Director
Manager, Economic Development
Florida Power & Light
Jimmy Norris – North Central Regional Director
Economic Development Director
Suwannee County Economic Development Office
Heidi Jameson – Northeast Regional Director
Director Of Business Development
JAXUSA Partnership
Tracy Garcia, CEcD, MEDP – East Central Regional Director
Senior Director, Economic Development
Orlando Economic Partnership
Denise Grimsley – South Central Regional Director
Executive Director
The Development Group
James Kohnstamm, CEcD – Southeast Regional Director
Economic Development Director
Miami-Dade County
Melanie Schmees, MBA – Southwest Regional Director
Manager, Sponsored Programs
Florida Gulf Coast University
Max Stewart – Tampa Bay Regional Director
Vice President, Economic Development
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
