First jobs lead economic development directors

First jobs lead economic development directors

Sunday, 07 May 2006

Kirk Clennan, CEcD Economic Development Director, Leander

Education: Bachelor’s degree in urban regional planning from Texas State University, master’s degree in economic development from University of Mississippi, certified economic developer by the International Economic Development Institute

Family: Married 13 years, 4 ½ -year-old son

Contact Information: 528-2852, kclennan@ci.leander.tx.us

The summer before beginning college, Kirk Clennan was digging holes for swimming pool forms. One day, he looked up and saw a truck pull into a lot next to where he was working. Two men got out and placed a map and a set of blueprints on the hood as they looked out over the property. “That was the first time I really thought about what was involved in developing land,” Clennan says. Today, as Leander’s economic development director, his view of the land is usually from high above, flying over available land parcels with prospective developers interested in becoming a part of the Leander community.

Q. What does the economic development director do?

A. I basically match community resources with the needs of businesses. I take all the resources Leander has to offer: location, transportation, labor, finance and natural resources, and determine what businesses can benefit from.

Q. Pick a day last week. What did you do?

A. Tuesday – I briefly attended the Envision Central Texas Regional Rail Seminar in downtown Austin with Mayor John Cowman. Then it was on to the groundbreaking ceremony for the regional water treatment facility in Cedar Park. While in transit, I made some telephone calls to confirm participants in Leander’s next leadership class. From there it was on to the monthly Austin Greater Chamber of Commerce meeting, where I was approached by a prospect regarding a business interested in relocating to Leander. Then more leadership class calls, followed by a telephone interview with Community Impact Newspaper about the TOD. I ended my day at a reception at Tuscan Flair for about 200 real estate brokers that was hosted by Mercedes Homes and David Weekly Homes.

Q. How do you work with the City? the Chamber of Commerce?

A. Working with the City is extremely easy because I’m surrounded by really smart people. I interact the most with the GIS coordinator (the person who creates the maps based on data collected). With the chamber, my involvement is pretty much seamless. I work hand-in-hand with the executive director on a lot of their projects and provide them with information they can share with Leander businesses.

Q. What is your vision of economic development for Leander?

A. I ultimately want Leander to be a place where residents and visitors can truly live, work and play. If we can develop a community where people achieve fulfillment on all these levels, we will be a successful city.

Q. What book are you currently reading?

A. I have been working my way through the Bible. I’m currently on the Second Book of Kings. I’m also reading a book called Freakonomics, which is a practical commentary on economics.

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Phil Brewer, Economic Development Director, Cedar Park

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas State University
• Family: Married 23 years, 14-year-old son
• Contact Information: 866-326-6338, brewer@ci.cedar-park.tx.us

When Phil Brewer graduated from college, his first job was with the Temple Chamber of Commerce as an executive assistant. “I didn’t even know what the Chamber did,” he recalls. Over the next three years, he not only learned, but also developed a passion for economic development. His professional career has included positions including senior industrial commissioner, director of national and international business development and even executive director of a chamber of commerce. When the opportunity became available a year ago to join Cedar Park as its economic development director, Brewer knew it was the right time. “I always intended on going back to work in a smaller town. Now I get to be part of Cedar Park’s incredible growth.”

Q. What does the economic development director do?

A. I wear many hats. I do marketing and sales for the community, serve as a facilitator, communicator and advocate for the city and potential developers/businesses. At the end of the day, however, I’m measured on what kind of impact there’s been on jobs and revenue in Cedar Park.

Q. Pick a day last week. What did you do?

A. Wednesday – I start each day with a list of what I’d like to get done. Here’s what really happened: I met with a developer, followed with returning a bunch of phone and e-mail messages. Then I spoke at the Central Texas Association of Commercial Realtors Economic Forum. From there, I went to a meeting with representatives from Triad, who are bringing a new hospital to Cedar Park. At the end of the day, some of the things on my list had been crossed off, but my list somehow was still just as long!

Q. How do you work with the City? the Chamber of Commerce?

A. I have such convenient access to city employees. It’s critical to our success. We all work together with Cedar Park’s best interest at heart. Cedar Park’s City Council and Chamber of Commerce work extremely well together. Since our success with the Triad-Seton hospital, we’ve embarked on another project that involves attracting a hotel with conference facilities so that we finally have a large meeting/event venue within the city.

Q. What is your vision of economic development for Cedar Park?

A. A balanced, yet diverse economic base. I’d like to see residents not have to drive great distances for products and services. The creation of more jobs within the city would reduce the number of residents commuting beyond city limits. This would also allow new college graduates to return to the city to work and raise their own families.

Q. What book are you currently reading?

A. I have The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury sitting on my nightstand. I’m looking forward to reading this action thriller.