Curt Woody
Marana,USA
Summary
Economic development cannot be reduced to simply recruiting companies. It is about building relationships, creating trust and finding common ground for the ultimate purpose of helping communities become places where businesses want to invest and families want to live. It is both, a Process and a set of desired outcomes that bring about an increase in living standards and quality of life.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Economic Development & Tourism
TOWN OF MARANA
03.2012 - Current
- Provide executive leadership for the Town's economic development and tourism initiatives, supporting one of Arizona's fastest-growing communities through strategic planning, business recruitment, investment attraction, and collaborative partnerships.
- Partner with Town leadership, elected officials, developers, brokers, business owners, investors, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, regional agencies, and state organizations to strengthen Marana's economic vitality and long-term competitiveness.
- Representative Responsibilities
- Direct comprehensive economic development and tourism strategies.
- Lead business attraction, retention, and expansion initiatives.
- Build strategic partnerships between public and private sectors.
- Represent the Town throughout Arizona in regional and statewide economic development efforts.
- Advise executive leadership and elected officials on economic trends, investment opportunities, and long-range planning.
- Collaborate with developers and business leaders to facilitate commercial growth.
- Promote tourism, destination marketing, and community branding.
- Monitor and interpret regional and national market trends
- Understand sector-specific business needs and growth cycles
- Maintain active networks with site selectors, brokers, and industry leaders
- Translate economic data into actionable recruitment and retention strategies
President / Owner
INCITE CONSULTING
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Founded a strategic consulting practice providing executive advisory services focused on business development, strategic planning, organizational growth, and leadership development.
- Partnered with organizations seeking practical business development strategies, improved organizational performance, and sustainable growth.
Business Development Manager
SUNDT COMPANIES
01.2003 - 01.2009
- Directed business development efforts in Arizona for one of the nation’s premier commercial building companies.
- Developed strategic relationships with public agencies, owners, architects, engineers, and developers while identifying new market opportunities and supporting successful project pursuits. These efforts resulted in generating leads, championing pursuits and securing projects in excess of $240 million. In addition, assisted teams in winning contracts valued at $520 million.
President / Owner
COMMERCIAL SPECIALTIES, INC.
01.1988 - 01.2003
- Founded and operated a successful commercial distribution company serving Arizona's building industry.
- Provided executive leadership across operations, finance, sales, purchasing, vendor partnerships, customer development, and long-term strategic planning while building a respected reputation throughout the commercial building community.
Education
Bachelor of Sciences & Studies - Architecture and Business Administration
University of Kansas
Skills
- Economic Development
- Strategic Planning
- Business Attraction & Retention
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Executive Leadership
- Tourism Development
- Government Relations
- Community Engagement
- Organizational Strategy
- Business Development
- Executive Consulting
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Board Governance
- Community Visioning
- Relationship Management
- Consensus Building
Affiliations
- AAED -Arizona Association for Economic Development (Board of directors 2006-2019, Member of the Year 2010-2011, President 2017-2018)
- American Institute of Architects – AIA (Board of Directors, Former President)
- Cornerstone Building Foundation (Board of Directors)
- Southern Arizona Architects & Engineers Marketing Association (Board of Directors)
- Urban Land Institute (Steering and Program Committee)
- Arizona Builders Alliance (Advisory Council) – ABA
- Arizona Airports Association - AZAA
- Metropolitan Pima Alliance - MPA
- Certified Commercial Investment Members - CCIM
- Sun Corridor (Investor Relations and Regional Economic Development Collaboration)
- Society for Marketing Professional Services
- Marana Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors 2012 – Present)
- International Economic Development Council - IEDC
- International Council of Shopping Centers – ICSC
- NW Medical Center Board of Trustees 2024 - Present
Timeline
Director of Economic Development & Tourism
TOWN OF MARANA
03.2012 - Current
President / Owner
INCITE CONSULTING
01.2009 - 01.2012
Business Development Manager
SUNDT COMPANIES
01.2003 - 01.2009
President / Owner
COMMERCIAL SPECIALTIES, INC.
01.1988 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Sciences & Studies - Architecture and Business Administration
University of Kansas
Key Accomplishments and Recognitions
Helped forge the public-private partnership that launched the long-envisioned Downtown Marana development initiative, positioning the project as a catalyst for future commercial investment, tourism, and community vitality., Helped guide the economic strategy supporting one of Arizona's fastest-growing communities during a period of extraordinary residential and commercial growth, Oversight of the tourism program generating approximately $318.2 million in annual economic impact, 22 businesses recruited / retained, In excess of $1.5 billion capital investment attracted, More than 4000 jobs created, Nineteen major employers brought to Marana, AAED Member of the Year - State of Arizona, Economic Development Grant to create the first Economic Development Strategic Plan, Developed and implemented two incentive programs serving the “Downtown District” and businesses throughout the Town, Named one of the “People to Know in Commercial Real Estate in 2020”
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
- Respected executive leader with more than 35 years of experience advancing economic growth, organizational strategy, business development, and executive leadership across both the public and private sectors. Recognized throughout Arizona for building trusted relationships that connect government, business, developers, and community organizations to create lasting economic impact.
- Known as a collaborative leader who brings people together around a common vision while balancing strategic planning with practical execution. Extensive experience guiding business attraction, tourism initiatives, organizational growth, board governance, and community development. Equally effective working with elected officials, executive leadership teams, entrepreneurs, investors, and Fortune 500 companies.
- Now pursuing executive consulting, advisory, targeted leadership, or strategic business development opportunities where decades of experience and an extensive statewide network can help organizations accelerate growth and solve complex challenges.
Executive Biography
- Curt is a respected Arizona executive whose career has been dedicated to strengthening communities through economic development, strategic partnerships, business leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. With more than 35 years of executive experience spanning municipal government, private industry, entrepreneurship, and consulting, he has earned a statewide reputation for bringing people together to create lasting economic opportunity.
- Since 2012, Curt has served as the Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the Town of Marana, where he has worked alongside elected officials, executive leadership, developers, business owners and regional partners to advance one of Arizona's fastest-growing communities. His leadership has focused on business attraction and retention, tourism, strategic planning, community partnerships, and long-range economic development initiatives that support sustainable growth.
- Prior to joining the Town of Marana, Curt founded Incite Consulting, where he advised organizations on business development strategies, organizational effectiveness, and strategic planning. Earlier in his career, he served as Business Development Manager for Sundt Companies, cultivating relationships and supporting major commercial building opportunities throughout the Southwest.
- Curt also spent fifteen years as President and Owner of Commercial Specialties, Inc., successfully building and leading a commercial supply chain distribution company that served contractors, architects, engineers, and owners across Arizona. His experience as both a business owner and public-sector executive gives him a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing organizations today.
- Throughout his career, Curt has remained deeply committed to professional leadership and community service. He served for fourteen years on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Association for Economic Development, progressing through every executive leadership role, including President. He currently serves on the Marana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Northwest Medical Center Board of Trustees.
- Colleagues know Curt as an intuitive leader who values relationships, integrity, collaboration, and practical solutions. His ability to connect people, build consensus, and develop trusted partnerships has made him a respected resource throughout Arizona's economic development and business communities.
- As he begins the next chapter of his career, Curt is seeking opportunities to continue serving organizations through executive consulting, strategic advising, targeted leadership, board service, and business development, where his decades of experience, statewide relationships, and collaborative leadership style can continue to create meaningful impact.
Leadership Philosophy
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
• Economic development cannot be reduced to simply recruiting companies. It is
about building relationships, creating trust and finding common ground for the
ultimate purpose of helping communities become places where businesses want
to invest and families want to live. It is both, a Process and a set of desired
outcomes that bring about an increase in living standards and quality of life.