Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), effective Jan. 12, 2015 attended Beaufort County Committee of 100 Annual Oyster Roast on Friday January 9, 2015.
WASHINGTON, NC — Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), effective Jan. 12, 2015 attended Beaufort County Committee of 100 Annual Oyster Roast on Friday January 9, 2015. Jim Chesnutt, Chairman Beaufort County Committee of 100 introduced Chung to the attendees and other honored visitors including:
Betty Jo Shepherd Senator Richard Burr’s office Eastern Regional Field Representative
Steve Keen Governor McCory’s Eastern Region Director
Paul Tine NC Representative
John Loyack VP, Global Business Services, EDPNC
Rick Hill International Trade Manager, EDPNC
Melissa Smith Project Manager, EDPNC
Donna Phillips Project Manager, EDPNC
Garrett Wyckoff Project Manager, EDPNC
Anna Lea Moore Project Manager, EDPNC
Dr. Pat Mitchell Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development, NCDOC
David Peoples Operations Manager for Rural Development, NCDOC
Kenny Stagg CDBG Finance Officer, Rural Division NCDOC
Mark Phillips NC Biotechnology Center
Vann Rogerson NC East Alliance
Woody Jarvis NC Department of Transportation
Troy Akers Norfolk Southern
Dallas Hardenbrook International Consultant
The EDPNC oversees the state’s efforts in business and job recruitment and retention, international trade, tourism, film and sports business development. The nonprofit corporation operates under contract, leveraging existing state funds as well as investment and support from private entities interested in fostering development in North Carolina.
Jim Chesnutt and Martyn Johnson, Director Beaufort County Department of Economic Development spoke extensively with and presented documents to Chung during the event both on the current situation in Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina plus thoughts on how to move forward into the twenty first century. The theme was in Chung’s quest to created jobs and investments in North Carolina do not forget us in the rural areas of the State.
On Chung’s appointment on 12/1/14 as CEO of the EDPNC Gov. Pat McCrory stated “Christopher Chung is widely respected in the industry and experienced using the public-private approach, and he has proven he can create jobs and opportunities.”
From left to right: Christopher Chung, Jim Chesnutt, and Martyn Johnson
At that time “I am delighted and honored to join North Carolina’s campaign for economic growth, particularly at this pivotal time in the state’s approach to job creation and development,” said Chung, 38, an Ohio native experienced in international economic development. “Competition for new business and corporate investment is fierce, and while North Carolina continues to be a national leader, we have to be innovative and aggressive as we approach every opportunity.’’
Previously serving as CEO, Chung launched the Missouri Partnership in 2007, which focused exclusively on recruiting new business, and he led the organization to be recognized by corporate executives and location advisors as one of the country’s best economic development programs. He was dubbed a “rising star” last year by Development Counsellors International, which named him among the industry’s “Top 40 under 40.”
Chung holds a degree in economics and Japanese from The Ohio State University, where he also completed significant post-graduate course work in public policy.