Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Announces James Coleman as President and Chief Executive Officer
Coleman previously served as Executive Director of Westchester County, NY, Industrial Development Agency
Largo, MD – Today, the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that James (Jim) Coleman has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Coleman is replacing Gwen McCall who led the EDC for the last four years. As the leader of the County’s EDC, Coleman will be responsible for helping to attract and retain major employers, using tools like the County’s $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund as well as guiding efforts to promote the County’s designation as a Foreign Trade Zone to encourage international investment in Prince George’s County. He will also guide the organization’s workforce development and employment services programs.
“With $6 billion in economic development projects in the pipeline over the last four years, Prince George’s County has become the ‘place to be’ for businesses and we are just getting started,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “We are excited about Jim Coleman being at the helm of our economic development team. He will take a bold and innovative approach to attracting businesses to Prince George’s County. His leadership will help cement the County’s growing reputation within the business community regionally, nationally and internationally as a jurisdiction that welcomes companies across all industry sectors.”
Coleman previously served as Executive Director of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation where he quickly became one of their premier business advocates and deal makers. Within one year of his appointment, Jim successfully infused nearly $1 billion in financing and tax incentives into the market, enabling these organizations to carry out their strategic missions and create nearly 5,000 jobs for Westchester’s residents. Jim has 32 years of business experience where he worked for corporate firms such as Oscar Mayer & Co., Pepsi Cola Company, Altria Corporation and American Express. He has also worked for the New York State Senate and held several executive leadership positions with entrepreneurial ventures.
“Jim brings a variety of experiences and expertise to help us continue with the County’s amazing economic progress and he will help to take us to the next level,” said Orlan Johnson, Chairman of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. “We have made tremendous progress in our efforts to foster a stronger relationship with the business community and in growing the County’s commercial tax base. Jim is a results oriented leader and I look forward to working with him as we identify new strategies to attract businesses to Prince George’s County and to prepare our workforce for new job opportunities.”
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation provides business services that are designed to attract and retain businesses, create high-quality jobs, and expand Prince George’s County’s commercial tax base. EDC’s mission of business attraction and expansion is accomplished by developing businesses, providing technical assistance to small business services, cultivating international businesses, offering workforce services, and planning effective marketing/communications strategies.
About Jim Coleman
Jim Coleman served as Executive Director for Westchester County, NY Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation since being appointed in April 2014. In this position, Coleman was Westchester County’s premier business advocate and deal maker. Within one year of his appointment, Coleman infused nearly $1 billion in financing and tax incentives into the market, enabling Westchester’s Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation to carry out their strategic missions and to create over 4,700 jobs for Westchester’s residents.
Coleman’s successes included closing a $100 million deal within 30 days to enable Pace University to build two new dormitories and to renovate several other facilities, making Pace more attractive and competitive in attracting the best and brightest students to Westchester. Coleman also boosted Westchester’s hospital infrastructure by pumping over $250 million in tax exempt bond financing into three construction projects at White Plains Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital and Phelps Memorial Hospital. Additionally, Coleman developed and facilitated over 100 training programs and workshops for Westchester’s small businesses to help them secure contracts, customers and capital. He also spearheaded Astorino’s Bridge to Success Forum Tour, inspiring hundreds of Westchester business owners and residents to launch and expand their businesses.
Prior to his role in Westchester County, Coleman delivered stellar results over the last 32 years with Oscar Mayer & Co., Pepsi Cola Company, Altria Corporation, American Express, several entrepreneurial ventures, and the New York State Senate. Coleman is a 1983 graduate of Howard University with a B.A. Degree in Economics. Coleman is a certified management training facilitator in Development Dimensions International and Skill Path management and development training programs and a 2014 graduate of World Wide College of Auctioneering.
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