Clyde Higgs to Begin Tenure on Board of Directors in January
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Board of the Directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has elected Clyde Higgs, President and CEO for Atlantic Beltline, Inc., to serve on the IEDC Board of Directors. The nomination took place during IEDC’s 2019 Annual Conference, which was held in Indianapolis, IN from October 13-16, 2019. Mr. Higgs’ term begins on January 1, 2020.
“We look forward to Mr. Higgs’ leadership as a member on the Board of Directors. Clyde has been active in economic development and a supporter of IEDC — particularly in his role hosting IEDC’s very successful 2018 Annual Conference in Atlanta — and we are so pleased to welcome him. His new role will ensure great accomplishments for IEDC in 2020 and beyond.” – Jeffrey Finkle, CEcD, President and CEO of IEDC.
“I’m honored to be elected to serve on IEDC’s Board of Directors,” said Mr. Higgs. “Economic development has long been a passion of mine and is integral to our work every day at the Atlanta BeltLine. Job creation, housing, and transit all contribute to greater affordability and economic prosperity. I look forward to bringing my experiences in Atlanta to the IEDC board.”
Clyde Higgs is the President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. where he leads the executive team in overseeing the design and construction of transit, trails, and parks; affordable housing; economic development; real estate; external affairs; procurement; etc. He establishes and expands strong working relationships with private and public partners across the region, state, and nation.
Prior to joining ABI in 2015, Mr. Higgs served as the Executive Vice President of a collaborative, multi-billion-dollar revitalization and economic development effort led by the state of North Carolina and real estate developer Castle & Cooke.
Mr. Higgs brings 20 years’ experience in economic development, real estate, intellectual property, technology, strategic planning, design, real estate development, grant and donor funding, and government relations, and urban innovation.
Mr. Higgs graduated from the University of South Alabama. He holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from East Carolina University. He has served on numerous boards and professional organizations, including the Board for Trees Atlanta and, formerly, the Board for Big Brothers Big Sister (Charlotte, NC). Mr. Higgs’ personal passions are young male mentorship and education.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.
