New Staff, Promotions Position EDC for More Growth in 2015

December 1, 2014

Noticed some new faces on the Tampa Hillsborough EDC team? Since August, we’ve made several key hires and promoted other members of our talented team in roles that will help us achieve our business recruitment, expansion, marketing and investor development goals for 2015 and beyond.

The Business Development team welcomed Autumn Braase and Adam Myers as Business Development Managers. Braase, who spent five years in a similar position with the Idaho Department of Commerce, joined the team in August. She works closely with companies in the manufacturing, life sciences, and defense and security sectors in Hillsborough County. Myers, who started in October, provides Plant City businesses with expansion assistance, workforce training, and other services.

Jake Austin has been promoted to Director of Business Recruitment and Expansion. Austin, who joined the EDC in November 2012 as a Business Development Manager for the Plant City area, now leads a team of three Business Development Managers to deliver the services and resources businesses need to thrive in Tampa and Hillsborough County.

In November, Michelle Bauer came on board as the EDC’s new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Bauer, who played several key roles in local economic development with the Tampa Bay Technology Forum and other organizations, joins us from Common Language, a strategic communications firm she founded in 2007. Bauer will work with the executive team and Investors to shape the marketing strategy for major initiatives such as Corporate Headquarters, and oversee daily operations of the Marketing department.

The Investor Relations department has also expanded to accommodate the growing needs of the Investor group. Avril Shelton, previously Executive Coordinator for Business Retention and Expansion, is now the EDC’s Investor Engagement Manager. Shelton serves as the primary contact for all current Investors and be their dedicated resource for all EDC-related needs. Peyton Woodroffe, who previously managed Investor Relations, will now focus on recruiting new Investors as the Investor Development Manager.

“We have a great team in place to help take our organization to the next level,” says Rick Homans, President and CEO. “These individuals are talented and passionate about economic development and our community. We are well positioned to recruit a major corporate headquarters, attract both national and international companies to this market, and help existing businesses grow faster in Tampa and Hillsborough County like they could nowhere else in the country.”