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January 23, 2012
Doug Byrd Named Interim Economic Development Director
The Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it has named Doug Byrd as Interim Director of Economic Development for the Chamber.
Byrd, a Fayetteville native, had served as the Chamber's Government Liasion for the previous two years. He replaces Bo Gregory, who left the Chamber at the end of 2011.
"We're thrilled to have Doug Byrd take on the role of Interim Director," said Doug Peters, President and CEO of the Chamber. "With Doug's extensive experience with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, his vast depth of knowledge of economic development and his broad base of professional contacts, he makes a great fit. The fact that he's a well-known and trusted Cumberland County native is a bonus."
Byrd previously served as Director of National Recruitment with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He was with the Department of Commerce for 25 years and has over 30 years experience in economic development. He also worked with the Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development team before returning to Fayetteville.
"I am honored to be asked to serve as the Interim Director of Economic Development for the the Chamber," Byrd said. "Having spent over thirty years in this business, I feel that I can bring that experience to the job and look forward to working with the leadership in the County and city as we push forward an aggressive development plan."
Byrd takes over as the Chamber is launching a partnership with Garner Economics to develop a strategic plan for the future of economic development in the region.
"Mr. Byrd will serve in this post at minimum through the completion of our economic development strategic planning process, which we believe will conclude in June," Peters said. "We will make a permanent hiring decision for this position consistent with the plan's recommendations.
"Mr. Byrd's commitment to the community and to the organization will ensure a seamless transition through our internal processes."
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Byrd, a Fayetteville native, had served as the Chamber's Government Liasion for the previous two years. He replaces Bo Gregory, who left the Chamber at the end of 2011.
"We're thrilled to have Doug Byrd take on the role of Interim Director," said Doug Peters, President and CEO of the Chamber. "With Doug's extensive experience with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, his vast depth of knowledge of economic development and his broad base of professional contacts, he makes a great fit. The fact that he's a well-known and trusted Cumberland County native is a bonus."
Byrd previously served as Director of National Recruitment with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He was with the Department of Commerce for 25 years and has over 30 years experience in economic development. He also worked with the Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development team before returning to Fayetteville.
"I am honored to be asked to serve as the Interim Director of Economic Development for the the Chamber," Byrd said. "Having spent over thirty years in this business, I feel that I can bring that experience to the job and look forward to working with the leadership in the County and city as we push forward an aggressive development plan."
Byrd takes over as the Chamber is launching a partnership with Garner Economics to develop a strategic plan for the future of economic development in the region.
"Mr. Byrd will serve in this post at minimum through the completion of our economic development strategic planning process, which we believe will conclude in June," Peters said. "We will make a permanent hiring decision for this position consistent with the plan's recommendations.
"Mr. Byrd's commitment to the community and to the organization will ensure a seamless transition through our internal processes."
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About the Chamber
The Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce is the area's chief business advocacy organization and strives to improve quality of life by creating wealth, jobs and investment in our community. The Chamber, through its business partners, the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, coordinates the community's economic development efforts as well as provides a number of opportunities to grow local businesses.
About Doug Byrd
Douglas Byrd III, a Fayetteville native, retired from a career in economic development with the State of North Carolina in 2008. With economic development in his blood, however, he wasn't able to stay away long.
