New EDP president comes with diversified credentials
By Brook R. Corwin
brook@surrymessenger.com
A business developer with ample experience in both the public and private sectors has been tapped to lead the Surry agency charged with boosting the local economy.
The Surry County Economic Development Partnership on Monday hired Todd Tucker as president, filling the position vacated by Robin Rhyne five months ago. He’ll begin work the first week of August, heading up an agency that gets funding from all five local government entities along with numerous private companies.
Tucker’s background includes work on both sides of the public/private spectrum. He’s spent the past eight years at Progress Energy as a senior business development representative. Before that, he worked for around eight years for the state’s Department of Commerce as an international business development representative and then director of marketing and client services.
Ted Ashby, EDP chairman, said Tuesday that such experience, along with a strong personality, should help Tucker align the interests of the partnership’s various contributors. Around 40 people applied for the job, and the EDP narrowed that field down to three finalists for interviews.
“All three were very good, but we determined that at this time he’d be the best fit,” Ashby said. “He’s had lots of experience with the Department of Commerce bringing people together. They have to work with a lot of different people to make projects happen. It’s the same way with Progress Energy. They have to work with many partners for a deal to come through.”
Tucker emphasized Tuesday the importance of all the county’s interests working together for economic growth, saying the EDP’s public/private organizational makeup was a key factor in him pursuing the position. He’ll join Jan Critz and Jessica Coutu as full-time EDP staff. Read more.
