Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certifications & Training
Timeline
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Stephen Crook

Summary

Strategically focused economic development professional with proven experience managing a County-wide Industrial Development Board and a regionally focused economic & community development program. Maintains an awareness of changes and trends in economic development and readily exchanges knowledge with peers throughout the profession. Continually seeks opportunities to engage as a community leader and to further professional development credentials.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Industrial Board Of Coffee County
01.2022 - Current
  • Managed business recruitment activities including prospect identification, site development, incentive negotiations, and project management producing 450 new job commitments and $97M capital investment to date.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
  • Built relationships with government officials, community stakeholders and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
  • Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
  • Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
  • Built and maintained strong a strong team by hiring and training qualified staff to create positive and productive work environments.
  • Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
  • Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.

Vice President of Economic Development

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
07.2015 - 01.2022
  • Directed all services and activities of the regional economic development program of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber.
  • Strengthened business retention and expansion program and identified industries with expansion plans.
  • Managed business recruitment activities including prospect acquisition, site identification, incentive negotiations, and project management producing 4,200 new job commitments and $200M capital investment to date.
  • Staffed the Industrial Development Board of the City of Cookeville and the Putnam County Joint Economic & Community Development Board
  • Supported the development of public and privately owned industrial property, maintained an inventory of available sites, and marketed sites via website, behavioral advertising, site retargeting, and keyword search tools.
  • Developed and maintained excellent relationships with key economic development partners such as TVA, TNECD, state, federal and local governments.
  • Facilitated community meetings with local government officials designed to educate county and municipal leadership on the process of Economic Development.

Economic Development Director

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
07.2014 - 07.2015
  • Developed business retention & expansion program serving over 200 industries in program area.
  • Analyzed economic conditions relative to business attraction and expansion, reviewed marketing techniques, designed a new marketing campaign, launched rebranded marketing initiative targeting businesses in key economic clusters.
  • Maintained an inventory of available industrial sites.
  • Managed the Putnam County Three Star Program.

Economic Development Coordinator

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
01.2014 - 07.2014
  • Implemented economic development goals for public and private sector stakeholders in the program area.
  • Researched economic conditions and prepared reports on labor market, demographics, consumer data, wages & benefits, commuting patterns, location quotient, and projected employment growth.
  • Prepared and distributed responses to Requests for Information from TVA, TN ECD, and consultants.
  • Managed website maintenance and planned improvements.
  • Developed an inventory of available industrial sites.

Financial Representative

Modern Woodmen Of America
01.2013 - 01.2014
  • Analyzed clients' needs in an effort to develop a well-balanced financial portfolio.
  • Planned member's protection, savings, retirement planning, retirement distribution, and estate planning needs.
  • Consulted business owners on subjects such as buy-sell agreements, employee health care, and group term life insurance
  • Plan community projects such as "matching funds" projects, "helping hands day", and "youth education" programs.

Policy Analyst Intern

TechAmerica
07.2012 - 01.2013
  • Served as analyst for the Public Sector's Senior V.P. on Procurement Policy.
  • Planned each monthly meeting for Committees.
  • Analyzed regulations pertaining to the interests of TechAmerica member companies and reported weekly on hearings and dealings with procurement policy on Capitol Hill.
  • Maintained TechAmerica's Regulatory Tracking Matrix.
  • Studied the Industry-Wide Regulatory Burden and report findings to TechAmerica's Public Sector Senior V.P.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Political Science

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN
2012

Skills

  • Economic & Community Development
  • Project Management
  • Business Development
  • Business Retention & Expansion
  • Economic Development Marketing
  • Incentive Negotiations
  • Budget Management
  • Public Policy
  • High Profile Presentations/Communication
  • Cross-Departmental Project Management
  • Information Technology Utilization

Certifications & Training

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executive

TCCE Institute (2015)


Economic Development Institute

University of Oklahoma (2017)


TVA Rural Leadership Institute

TVA Community Development Division

Timeline

Executive Director

Industrial Board Of Coffee County
01.2022 - Current

Vice President of Economic Development

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
07.2015 - 01.2022

Economic Development Director

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
07.2014 - 07.2015

Economic Development Coordinator

Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce
01.2014 - 07.2014

Financial Representative

Modern Woodmen Of America
01.2013 - 01.2014

Policy Analyst Intern

TechAmerica
07.2012 - 01.2013

Bachelor of Science - Political Science

Tennessee Technological University

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Stephen Crook