FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2007
Contact Information:
Jim Edwards
Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority
770-468-1200
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Chris Laborde Named Executive Director For Industrial Development Authority

Chris Laborde, a seasoned economic development professional from Metairie, Louisiana, has been named executive director of the Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority. The action was taken today during a called meeting of the authority.

For over 25 years, Laborde has been a key executive in chamber of commerce and economic development management. He has extensive experience, both domestic and international, in developing strategic partnerships with business leaders, government officials and academia. Currently, Laborde serves as senior transportation and strategic planner with the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission.

“The opportunity given to me by the authority is extremely gratifying,” Laborde said following the authority’s meeting. “I look forward to becoming an integral part of the Thomaston-Upson County area. I visualize tremendous potential in several industry sectors, including manufacturing and service type companies. I also believe the growth opportunities for existing businesses in this area are outstanding.”

The search process for an executive director began last fall when the Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce and industrial development authority decided to employ separate professionals. In March, the search by the authority was expanded in order to cast a wider net for candidates.

A total of 23 professionals from ten states submitted resumes for the new executive director’s position. Candidates sent resumes from Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. Both traditional and non-traditional candidates expressed an interest in the position. Traditional candidates are considered those with direct economic development recruitment and retention experience.

The next step in the selection process was for each candidate to complete a detailed application. Questions relating to their experience in economic development, character traits, philosophies on how to best market the Thomaston-Upson County area, and long-term career goals were a part of the application. Nine candidates completed the full application.

Stakeholder interviews with authority members, business leaders and statewide economic development professionals were held to determine the character traits most desired of the new executive. Some of those characteristics include a self-starter, professional, salesperson and marketer, good communicator and a good personality to relate to various government entities.

“The search process has been extremely inclusive of the community and especially city and county government leaders,” says Edwards. “Chris has the expertise, experience and quality traits to build a strong economic development team on the foundation that is already in place. The authority’s goal is to provide him with the tools and resources necessary to put our community on the map as a positive location to operate businesses. This is a start-up operation and Chris is extremely qualified to do the job well for our community.”

Laborde served simultaneously as an economic development recruiter and with the United States Army Reserve. He started as the director of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and Central Area Committee for the New Orleans & River Region Chamber. His next advancement came in 1990 when he was selected to serve as staff executive of the small business council for the same chamber. Laborde continued to work his way through the ranks by serving as director of military affairs and chief of staff/director of military-federal issues for the New Orleans chamber.

“My background in economic development has taken me in many directions,” says Laborde. “I understand the importance of existing businesses in a community and the need to build relationships with key industry contacts for future investments and job creation. The location of Thomaston, between Atlanta, Macon and Columbus, provides an excellent opportunity for marketing to a wide range of clients.”

Laborde and his wife Peggy have two adult children and three grandchildren. They anticipate completing their move to the Thomaston area by late summer. His first day on the job will be in June 18.

Other members of the authority’s board of directors include Thomaston Mayor Hays Arnold, Danny Brinks, John Brodnax, Upson County Commission Chairman Glenn Collins, and Maurice Raines.

Ex-officio members participating in the search included Thomaston City Manager Patrick Comiskey, Upson County Manager Bob Zellner and Ronald Barfield, attorney for the authority.

The Chason Group, Inc. of Cartersville, Georgia, an executive search and strategic planning consulting firm, assisted the authority in the search process.