Mackenzie Bennett
Valdosta,GA
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager, Existing Industry & Workforce Dev
Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority
05.2021 - Current
- Researched and maintained a database of current demographic, utility, transportation, labor, and industrial market data.
- Engaged with Lowndes County’s existing industries through creating and implementing strategies and action plans to meet employee recruitment, retention, and training needs.
- Served as the point of contact for existing industries and assisted in introducing and accessing the many resources and services of the workforce development system, and provide referrals to partners and other community agencies.
- Maintain and coordinate with the Department of Community Affairs on grants in excess of $2.4M.
- Assisted with project management including site selection, completing RFIs, site visits, and coordinating with utility companies and local government agencies to meet project demands.
- Coordinated workforce development opportunities with local and regional school systems including CTAE industry tours, student industry tours, and student training programs with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.
- Responsible for maintaining Salesforce information and running reports.
- Proficient in using JOBSEQ to run reports and analytics as it relates to workforce trends, industrial workforce requirements, demographic reports, labor analytics.
- Developed and maintain relationships with local, regional, and state partners.
Graduate Assistant- CSGRI
Valdosta State University
08.2020 - 08.2022
- Assisted with promoting the 2020 Census to communities throughout South Georgia
- Assisted in gathering and updating project information
- Completed administrative and research duties per Executive Director's request
Economic Development Coordinator
Athens Technical College
05.2019 - 07.2020
- Coordinated and developed workforce development and training project initiatives, with a special emphasis on WIOA-funded workforce development programs such as ManufactuREADY
- Facilitated community partnerships to serve business and student needs and to achieve program goals
- Provided outreach and education to the community, business and industry, non-profits, and other local organization about the ManufactuREADY program
- Maintained excellent working relationships with and served as a liaison to internal and external customers
Marketing Director
Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce & EDA
9 2015 - 9 2017
- Created marketing materials for available commercial buildings, industrial parks, events, and local campaigns
- Assisted with the creation of a new economic development website with Atlas Advertising
- Organized and responsible for Coffee Leadership, an annual local leadership class, including recruiting participants, planning class schedules, budgeting, and an overnight trip to the Georgia State Capitol for a class of 20 professionals
Education
Master of Public Administration -
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA07.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Emphasis in Public Relations
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA12.2014
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Constant Contact
- GIS Planning Software
- Salesforce
- JobsEQ
- Project Management
- Strong Problem Solver
- Effective Relationship Builder
Continuing Education
Georgia Academy for Economic Development Graduate
- Regional Economic & Leadership Development
Locate South Georgia LEADS Graduate
- A 21-county regional leadership development program for South Georgia
IEDC CEcD Courses:
- Basic Economic Development Course
- Managing Economic Development Organizations
- Workforce Development Strategies
Timeline
Project Manager, Existing Industry & Workforce Dev
Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority
05.2021 - Current
Graduate Assistant- CSGRI
Valdosta State University
08.2020 - 08.2022
Economic Development Coordinator
Athens Technical College
05.2019 - 07.2020
Marketing Director
Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce & EDA
9 2015 - 9 2017
Master of Public Administration -
Valdosta State University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Emphasis in Public Relations
Valdosta State University
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