Greater Seattle Partners Grows Economic Development Team

Seattle, Wash. (January 24,2024) – Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) today announced the appointment of Robert Payne to vice president, Economic Development and Jack Pedlow’s promotion to Economic Development project manager.  Both will report to GSP’s CEDO and SVP, Josh Davis, and focus on generating opportunities for business attraction, global engagement, international trade, and economic development efforts to grow jobs and investment in Snohomish, King and Pierce County.  

For almost four years, Payne has led GSP’s marketing and communications activities, from critical work in creating a framework for equitably shared prosperity as part of the Forward Together initiative to the brand development, design, and launch of the award-winning “Uncommon Thinkers Welcome” regional marketing campaign.  He has been a brand ambassador for GSP and the region, leveraging data analytics and research, inspiring stories of the region’s innovators, and targeted multi-channel marketing strategies to attract new business and talent to the region.  Payne has represented GSP both in-country and around the world at key events such as SelectUSA, World Economic Development Forum for Foreign Direct Investment, the Dubai, Farnborough and Paris Airshows, and APEC Seattle, which drew more than 3,500 delegates from 21 Asia-Pacific economies. 

“Engaging the world and telling our story is foundational to GSP’s mission, and Robert has expertly led this work for years.  His prowess as a storyteller is matched by his expertise in economic development, and we are grateful for everything he brings to his new role and this organization,” said Brian Surratt, President and CEO of Greater Seattle Partners. “Robert’s vast experience in public and private partnerships, economic development projects, along with his focus on communications across the region and globe have been critical in GSP’s success, and we are excited to elevate our economic development efforts with Robert’s new role,” shared CEDO and SVP Josh Davis. 

“I am delighted to accept this new role and look forward to working with my colleagues at GSP and public and private partners throughout our region to provide best-in-class economic development services for site consultants and companies looking for the right location to start, relocate or expand,” said Robert Payne. “When it comes to engaging the world and bringing quality jobs and investment to our region, it is GSP’s culture of collaboration, connections and experience that helps bring greater prosperity to such a dynamic and diverse region, and I’m eager to build on this strong foundation.”   

Payne’s economic development experience spans almost two decades starting first with the development of custom web applications and digital marketing strategies for economic development authorities, convention and visitors’ bureaus, and business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands. Prior to his role at GSP, he served as the Global Account Manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development for more than seven years where he created and executed global marketing and communications strategies for the aerospace, automotive, film and entertainment, food processing, information technology, life science, logistics, and manufacturing industries, growing jobs and investment through partnerships with the Governor’s Office, Mayor’s Office, Chambers of Commerce, boards and associations, and Fortune 500 companies. Accolades include winning a WEBBY for one of the marketing industry’s first podcast series, Gold Telly Awards for video production, PRSA Awards for international and national communication strategies and IEDC Gold Awards for economic development campaigns including Uncommon Thinkers Welcome. Payne has an MBA with a specialization in marketing from the University of Nevada, and a Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University. 

Jack Pedlow has served as GSP’s Research Analyst since July of 2021 and has been instrumental in supporting partners with timely and actionable data.  Over the last year, Jack has partnered with economic developers across the region to create a compelling inventory of our regional assets, has engaged partners in site visit coaching, and has elevated our site selection presentations.   After completing his BA in Economics from the University of Michigan, he moved to Seattle to join GSP. 

“Jack has been an incredible asset to the organization, and it’s been a pleasure to see both his professional growth and the impact he has made in regional economic development capacity-building and collaboration,” said Rebecca Lovell, Greater Seattle Partners COO. “Jack’s relationships with our partners and expertise in site selection make him a fantastic addition to the economic development team,” Josh Davis added. 

“I am truly excited about this new role, and to help GSP expand our business attraction work with an intentional focus on our key sectors and on equitably shared prosperity.  I’ve enjoyed the data-informed decision-making and collaborative communications that are core to GSP’s culture and am delighted to accept this opportunity,” said Jack Pedlow. 

GSP is now recruiting for Marketing Director and Research Manager roles to carry out the mission-critical work led by Payne and Pedlow, and these appointments will take effect as these roles are filled. 

ABOUT GREATER SEATTLE PARTNERS 

Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) is a public-private partnership that leads regional economic development through global business attraction, site selection and investment and trade opportunities in the Greater Seattle region. GSP collaborates with community and economic development partners to ensure that every person in the Puget Sound region has the opportunity to prosper. We strive to attract and retain quality family/living wage jobs across all communities of the region. Throughout the world we tell the story of our talent, pioneering spirit, unique communities, and quality of life. For more information visit Greater-Seattle.com.  

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