The Sanford Area Growth Alliance announced the hiring of Todd Tucker as SAGA’s Economic Development Director.
In this role, Tucker will manage all aspects of SAGA’s new business recruitment projects, including site identification, RFI response, client and local government presentations and post-recruitment support.
He will focus on further strengthening and diversifying Sanford and Lee County’s strong manufacturing base in the target sectors of life sciences, automotive supply chain, AgTech and other advanced manufacturing.
“Lee County’s tax base has expanded by more than 30 percent over the prior year, to $8.8 billion dollars, and SAGA’s sustained, long-term commitment to a robust economic development program has provided the impetus for much of that growth. Todd Tucker’s proven skills, broad economic development experience and extensive professional network are sure to lead us to even greater results in the decade ahead,” said SAGA CEO, Jimmy Randolph. “We are excited to have him join our team.”
Originally from Lillington, NC, Tucker is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has achieved a distinguished 28-year career across multiple levels of North Carolina’s economic development ecosystem. With valuable experience at the NC Department of Commerce, Progress Energy, and the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, Tucker brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success to the role.
Board Chair Jimmy Keen added, “SAGA’s staff and board reviewed a number of excellent candidates and were pleased to land Todd in our Economic Development Director role. Todd has an extensive background in economic development at both the state and local levels, and we are fortunate to have someone coming in with his experience. Todd’s local ties to Lee and Harnett County are also a plus, and will enable him to make an even more immediate impact with our organization.”
Tucker is a lifelong resident of North Carolina, and his family has deep roots in economic development in the state. Tucker and his wife, Conni, have two adult children and currently reside in Mt. Airy. They will be relocating to Sanford in the near future.
Tucker expressed his eagerness to work for Lee County. “I am excited to have the opportunity to come and work with a well-run organization like SAGA. Additionally, being able to work in economic development in the area where I grew up is something I have wanted to do my entire career. I look forward to building new relationships and growing existing ones to help continue the success of Sanford and Lee County.”
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
