The biennial award recognizes rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry.
Orlando, Fla. – Casey Evans, Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership) senior director of business development, has been announced as a recipient of the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry.
The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development leaders and site selection consultants evaluated nominations based on demonstration of strong leadership, commitment and innovation every day in the workplace.
“The purpose-driven work of economic development plays a vital role in communities around the world, and much of it is led by young professionals,” said Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “These 40 rising stars are contributing their creativity, dedication and leadership to make a tremendous impact in their communities and our industry as a whole, and I so look forward to what lies ahead in their careers.”
“During her eight years at the Partnership, Casey has served as a vital member of the team responsible for recruiting organizations, expanding local businesses, and working on projects that helped to launch the growth of NeoCity and other community-defining developments. We’re very proud of Casey!”
Partnership President and CEO Tim Giuliani
In her role, Evans focuses on strategically growing the region’s industrial sector, as well as supporting the organization’s international economic development strategy. Recent major wins include projects with Ocean Insight, Microvast, Amazon, CACI, Astronics Test Systems, and Conti Federal.
She currently serves on the Evans High School Community Leadership Council, Treasurer of the Pace Orange Young Professionals Board of Directors, on the Manufacturing Association of Central Florida’s Board of Directors, the Florida Photonics Cluster Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders Committee for the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) and oversees the Metro Orlando Defense Task Force focused on growing, protecting, and preserving the modeling, simulation and training companies and military installations in our region.
“The economic development industry continues to evolve and these rising leaders are stepping up to the challenge,” said Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal of Jorgenson Consulting, Inc. “Congratulations to these 40 winners – and to the communities that are lucky to benefit from their expertise.”
Award winners were announced on January 29, 2023 at a reception hosted by DCI and Jorgenson at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2023 Leadership Summit, the only conference held exclusively for Certified Economic Developers and senior managers in the profession.
For more information on the 40 Under 40 awards program and this year’s winners, visit econdev40under40.com.
Media Contacts:
Justin Braun, Director, Marketing & Branding, Orlando Economic Partnership
321.318.8430 | justin.braun@orlando.org
Julie Curtin, President, Economic Development, DCI
303.627.0272 julie.curtin@aboutdci.com
About DCI
Development Counsellors International (DCI) is the leader in travel, economic development and talent attraction marketing. Since 1960, DCI has worked with more than 500 cities, regions, states and countries, helping them attract business investors, visitors and workers. DCI has offices in New York and Denver. For more information, visit aboutdci.com or follow @aboutDCI on Twitter.
About Jorgenson Consulting
Founded in 1992, Jorgenson Consulting has worked diligently over the past 29 years to establish itself as a premier national executive search firm. With a focus on the fields of non-profit, economic and community development, we partner with our clients to help them identify and secure the highest caliber of executive talent. Our goal is to develop a thorough understanding of our clients and leverage that knowledge with our own expertise and resources to source executive talent that can truly serve the organization by yielding economic benefits while also contributing to a community’s competitive advantage. www.jci-inc.net
