Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has tapped Heidi Green to replace Ken Stewart as commissioner of the state’s economic development department.
Ms. Green, who currently serves as deputy commissioner for global commerce, will assume the new role upon Mr. Stewart’s departure at the end of June. Beginning July 19, he will become senior adviser on industry strategy at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mr. Stewart was appointed commissioner in 2006 and has made several overseas business recruitment trips.
His leadership in the department’s efforts to expand existing industry and draw big investments like NCR Corp.‘s headquarters to Georgia made him an attractive addition to Georgia Tech’s advisory board, Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson said in a news release.
“As the former chief marketing officer for the state, Ken brings an outstanding record of experience in new business development and the expansion of existing ones,” Dr. Peterson said. “His insight and experience will be vital as Georgia Tech pursues the vision of becoming an even more dynamic economic driver for Georgia, our nation and the world.”
During Mr. Stewart’s tenure, Georgia opened its 10th international office in Beijing, and the department aided company relocations and expansions that produced $11.4 billion in investment and created 62,000 jobs, according to the Georgia Tech release.
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