Saying “the economic development industry is in good hands” with people like Market Van Buren’s Zach Morris, industry leaders have named the organization’s Executive Director to the elite list of the nation’s 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 young professionals. The awards were announced during a virtual red carpet ceremony yesterday, Tuesday, March 16th.
The awards program is hosted by Development Counselors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development professionals and site selection consultants evaluated a record-number of 200-plus nominees.
Julie Curtin, President of DCI’s economic development practice, says, “This past year has demonstrated the importance of economic development in building and sustaining resilient communities,” and adds, “I’m especially impressed by the diverse perspectives and skillsets of this year’s winners as they lead communities to prioritize new ways of thinking, building inclusive and equitable economies, and bringing an attitude of fresh new ideas to the challenges in the industry. The economic development future is bright with these young leaders.”
Market Van Buren Chairman of the Board, Tom Stanek, says, “On behalf of the Market Van Buren Board of Directors, we are very proud of Zach and the work he is doing in our community. The network and momentum he is building will pay dividends for our region.”
It’s not the first time that Morris has been cited among 40 Under 40 young professionals. He was a member of the 2019 Class of the Moody on the Market 40 Under 40 young professionals in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Zachary Morris holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Davenport University and is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). Most recently, Zach graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) in May of 2019. OU EDI is an intensive 117-hour certificate program which provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional.
His previous experience includes serving as a Business Services Manager at Kinexus Group, where he worked with businesses throughout Southwest Michigan on workforce and economic development challenges. After working with Kinexus Group, he went on to work in the private sector for the Utility and Medical Device industries where he successfully led initiatives that solved critical workforce issues and transformed how they attracted and retained talent. He returned to Kinexus Group in 2016 as the Executive Director of Market Van Buren to lead economic development.
Since his onboarding in 2016, Zach along with his board of 16 community and business leaders, formed Market Van Buren, Van Buren County’s first ever economic development organization. The organization has ushered in 248 news jobs, $35.2 million of new investment and is credited with fostering an overall economic impact of $62.87 million. In two short years, Morris has also grown the organization’s investors from one chief investor, Van Buren County, to now more than 30 investors from both the public and private sectors.
Todd Jorgenson, Managing Director and Principal of Jorgenson Consulting, Inc. says, “The economic development industry is in good hands with these rising leaders,” and adds, “The communities they represent—from Tuxpan, Mexico to Covington, Kentucky to Québec, Canada—are fortunate to have the smart, innovative ideas of this year’s winners.”
For more information on the 40 Under 40 awards program and this year’s winners, you can click this link: https://aboutdci.com/40under40/
Kinexus Group is an organization that invests its time and resources into inspiring positive economic change one individual, one business, and one community at a time. For more information, visit http://www.Kinexus.org, follow along on Twitter @KinexusGroup or “like” them on Facebook @KinexusGroup.
Market Van Buren has principal responsibilities for economic and community development throughout Van Buren County. They connect people, investments, and organizations with strategies and services that improve the quality of life and economic conditions in the region, specifically Van Buren County. For more information, visit http://www.MarketVanBuren.org, or “like” them on Facebook @MarketVanBuren.
