The icon, the president and CEO of GPEC, Barry Broome is leaving AZ and taking off for the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council as president and CEO.
Welp, the rumor is true.
Reported by Eric Jay Toll of Phoenix Business Journal, there was suspicions about Barry flying off to Sacramento and being listed in the top finalists for the job back on Dec. 12.
Barry started at GPEC in February 2005 and basically grew this organization into a household name in the AZ business world. This May, GPEC was named a top 10 U.S. Economic Development Organization by Site Selection magazine for 2013, having previously received honorable mentions in 2011, 2009 and 2006. Additionally, Broome was named Economic Developer of the year by the Arizona Association for Economic Development in 2013.
Broome was the guy who led the GPEC through Arizona’s worst recession and since then has helped bring more companies to Arizona and seen all 384,000 lost jobs recovered.
Over the last 9 years, under his leadership, GPEC has attracted more than 260 companies, nearly 50,000 jobs and more than $8 billion in capital investment to the region.
Recently, tech companies that have either come here or expanded as a result of GPEC’s involvement include GoDaddy’s Global Technology Center, Prosper and the GTAT/Apple facility (but we all know what happened there). Broome was also vocal against SB1062, which was vetoed by Governor Jan Brewer earlier this year.
“I am proud of the mayors, county supervisors and business leaders in Greater Phoenix,” said Broome. “They supported our efforts during difficult times with this organization, and we are able to celebrate our successes together accordingly.”
In the interim, GPEC’s Executive Vice President Chris Camacho will assume role of president of the organization. Camacho, who has been with GPEC since 2008, is no stranger to the business world and has been recognized as a 40 under 40 by both the Phoenix Business Journal and the Development Counsellors International.
“It is extremely bittersweet to think of leaving the Greater Phoenix region,” said Broome. “I am proud of the work we have done as an organization, and it has been a tremendous honor to work with the board over the years. I am grateful for the friendships I have gained, and it has been a privilege professionally to see both the market and the talent within GPEC mature. I have the fullest confidence in Chris Camacho’s leadership and expect to continue to see great things from our communities.”
Read more coverage about GPEC at AZTB
