Press Release: AdvantageWest Adds Two to Staff
Date Posted: 11/16/2009
Regional economic development commission names former Henderson County director of business development as executive vice president; adds new position to develop strategies for supporting green economy in region
Scott Hamilton, president and CEO of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, announces the addition of two new staff members to assist in the organization’s efforts to create jobs in the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina.
KYLE EDNEY, former director of business development for the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, will return to Western North Carolina to serve as executive vice president of AdvantageWest, heading efforts to market the region as a location for advanced manufacturing, among other responsibilities. Edney has served as assistant director of Florence County Economic Development Partnership, in Florence, S.C., for nearly three years. A graduate of Montreat College with a bachelor of science in business administration, concentrating in marketing, Edney is a native of Henderson County, and also previously worked with the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.
Also joining the AdvantageWest staff is MATT RAKER, who will serve in a new position as senior director of the organization’s AdvantageGreen program, responsible for creating strategies for supporting green business development throughout AdvantageWest’s core program areas. The co-founder and former chief technology officer at Asheville-based software firm Jute Networks* will also be responsible for the administration of incoming and outgoing grants, including those through the federal government, the State of North Carolina and private foundations.
“We are excited that Kyle and Matt both accepted our offers to join the team at AdvantageWest,” said Tommy Jenkins, chairman of the board of directors. “Each has the experience and skills in their respective areas that will enhance the strength of the organization’s efforts to create jobs across the region.”
“Kyle is highly respected in North and South Carolina economic development. He has excellent relationships with national site consultants and a proven track record administering business recruitment programs with measurable results, ” said Hamilton. ““We welcome him back to the area.”
Raker, who has a degree in environmental economics and natural resource management from UNC Asheville, will bring “passion and an entrepreneurial spirit” to the AdvantageGreen program, said Hamilton. “We found Matt to be the ideal candidate for this new position, and look forward to his work in developing our green initiatives program.”
“We’re also delighted to tap into Matt’s project management skills in administering the 14 grants AdvantageWest has been awarded,” said Jenkins. “In addition, he will be responsible for identifying other funding opportunities for AdvantageWest’s core job creation initiatives: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and the green economy.”
Raker takes his post as Sr. Director, AdvantageGreen and Grants Administration, at the end of November, where one of his first tasks will be to develop a strategic plan with clear goals for the AdvantageGreen initiative. “This will include both initiating and developing relevant projects that are in line with national and state efforts and priorities and that build on the natural strengths of the AdvantageWest region, which encompasses a geographic area measuring 10,000 square miles – the size of the state of Maryland,” said Hamilton.
Edney, whose achievements during his tenure in Florence included lead generation activities that have resulted in more than $345 million in new taxable investment and the creation of 2,200 new jobs, will begin with AdvantageWest in mid-December.
Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1994, AdvantageWest is a non-profit, public-private partnership. In addition to the aforementioned core job creation initiatives previously mentioned, other AdvantageWest programs include the WNC Film Commission and the international tourism marketing program, MountainSouth USA. For more information, visit www.advantagewest.com or call (828) 687-7234.# # # #
*NOTE: Though Jute Networks previously received support through AdvantageWest’s Advantage Opportunity Fund, Raker will no longer have a financial interest in the company.
MEDIA CONTACT:
KATHI PETERSEN
kpetersen@awnc.org
828.712.1286
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Testimonial
In an effort to respond to the diverse economic development needs of North Carolina, then State Representative Martin Nesbitt introduced legislation creating the regional economic development partnerships. It was this extraordinary insight that allowed AdvantageWest to become one of the most innovative and nimble economic development programs in the state.
Gordon S. Myers
Founding Chair
AdvantageWest Board of Directors
Amanda Baranski
, Exec. Asst./ Asst. Corp Secretary
AdvantageWest
134 Wright Brothers Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
ph. 828-687-7234
fx. 828-687-7552
Email Amanda Baranski
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