LAEDC beefs up Economic Research engine adding Long Beach’s Robert Swayze to the management roster

Long Beach’s manager of economic development, Robert Swayze, joins LAEDC as Sr. Vice President of Economic Development in September

Los Angeles —The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) announced today that Robert Swayze will join the LAEDC as Senior Vice President of Economic Development on September 1, 2010.

“We are thrilled that Robert will be joining the LAEDC team,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC President and CEO.  “He is recognized as one of the premier economic development practitioners in the region and state, and will provide significant experience and insight to our efforts to lead the implementation of L.A. County’s first-ever Strategic Plan for Economic Development.”

Swayze is currently Manager of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs for the City of Long Beach, a position he has held since 2005.  Previously, he was Manager of Regional Economic Development for the Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County.

“Robert brings three great qualities to the LAEDC: significant experience with cities and the County, in-depth familiarity with business financing and technology issues, and a sophisticated policy perspective that is complemented by years of successful hands-on experience attracting, retaining and growing jobs for L.A. County,”  said Allen.

Among Swayze’s credits are conceiving and developing the Business Technology Center (BTC), one of California’s largest high tech innovation centers; establishing four business loan programs, including the first equity program for high tech start-ups administered by a county; leading Long Beach’s C-17 Red Team that helped Boeing secure more orders for the C-17 and pushed production out to 2014; and securing a 15-year re-designation for the Long Beach Enterprise Zone.
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