Manatee reels in economic development official

Manatee County named former Clearwater city economic development official Geraldine Campos Lopez to head up a new department created to oversee community development.

Lopez will lead the county's Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Department. The new department will oversee redevelopment efforts, particularly in the county's southwest district, according to a statement. The unit will also include the Housing and Community Development and Economic Development divisions, which were formerly a part of Manatee's Neighborhood Services Department, the release adds. Karen Stewart will continue to lead Manatee's economic development efforts, and Cheri Coryea will continue to lead the Neighborhood Services Department.

Lopez was most recently a private-sector consultant. She has more than 20 years experience in redevelopment, economic development, community development and urban real estate developments. She worked for the City of Clearwater for 14 years, including a stint as director of the city's Economic Development & Housing Department, where she oversaw activities and incentives for the city's economic development programs.

“Redevelopment is a challenge in Manatee County, and after a nationwide search we found someone with an outstanding background,” Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker said when he introduced Lopez to County Commissioners, according to the statement. “Geri understands how to bring private capital to the table to reinvest in the urban core of Manatee County.”

Lopez has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Yale and a master's degree in city planning and urban design from MIT. “I'm truly honored and excited to be leading this new department,” Lopez says in the release. “I'm excited because I see so much opportunity here. I'll bring the skills, talents, diversity of thought and regional connections to bear so we can do great things in Manatee County.”