Chief Economic Development Officer

Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the City of Waco to recruit its next Chief Economic Development Officer.

Waco is entering a significant period in its economic evolution. The City is experiencing continued growth, advancing one of the most ambitious downtown redevelopment initiatives in its history, and coming off a five-year period that includes more than $1.8 billion in major economic development investment across manufacturing, redevelopment, corporate employment, retail, housing, and other sectors.

The next Chief Economic Development Officer will lead the City’s Economic Development Department at a moment when Waco has both considerable momentum and considerable opportunity. It is a senior leadership role responsible for helping shape the City’s economic strategy, evaluating and structuring development opportunities, guiding major public-private investments, strengthening Waco’s retail and commercial base, cultivating new markets, and serving as a trusted advisor to the City Manager and City Council.

Waco is looking for an experienced leader who can help mature the organization, develop a talented emerging team, strengthen processes and analytics, and position the Economic Development Department for its next stage of growth.

The Chief Economic Development Officer will direct the City's economic development strategy and operations while serving as one of the primary voices shaping how Waco approaches investment, growth, redevelopment, and business development.

The CEDO will develop and execute strategies for attracting new businesses while supporting existing business growth and retention; identify infrastructure and development opportunities; evaluate proposed public investments; negotiate agreements with developers and businesses; manage major incentive programs; and provide decision-ready recommendations to the City Manager and elected leadership.

The City has also intentionally built a dedicated professional team around this work. The current Economic Development organizational structure includes the Chief Economic Development Officer, an Assistant Director of Economic Development, a Senior Economic Development Manager, a Business Strategy and Intelligence Manager, and an Economic Development Compliance and Financial Manager.

While many economic development organizations concentrate almost exclusively on industrial recruitment, the City recognizes retail and commercial development as important components of its economic strategy, particularly because of their impact on sales tax revenue, quality of life, and Waco's ability to serve a growing regional population.

Waco has attracted international investment, including companies with ties to Mexico and Germany, and has pursued relationships connected to Korean investment associated with the rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas. The region's interstate, rail, utility, and geographic position also create significant opportunities in logistics and distribution.

Over the past five years, Waco has advanced a diverse portfolio of economic development projects representing more than $1.8 billion in announced or committed investment across manufacturing, corporate headquarters, redevelopment, retail, housing, logistics, and community-serving projects.

Recent wins and major projects include:

• Graphic Packaging International — approximately $1.026 billion in investment and 190 new jobs, representing one of the largest projects in Waco’s recent economic development portfolio.
• Electrolit — approximately $220 million in…