Tampa EDC names new president and CEO

TAMPA — The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. named economic development executive Craig Richard president and CEO, effective late June.

Richard previously served as CEO of Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta development authority, and has economic development experience in rapidly growing cities such as Atlanta and Houston, a statement says. His career includes more than 200 success projects representing more than 148,000 jobs and $8.3 billion in capital investment.

“Beyond competency across our target industries, Craig understands both the complexities of corporate relocation as well as Tampa's need to prioritize entrepreneurial and international growth,” says Ron Vaughn, co-chair of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC, in a statement.

The EDC's search committee included leaders in government, health care, education, entrepreneurship, tourism and development, the statement says. Richard's appointment was unanimously approved.

Since 2010, the Tampa Hillsborough EDC has recruited more than 350 companies and created more than 29,000 jobs, the statement says.