We're highlighting NCEDA Board Member, Todd Tucker, CEcD! Todd is Director of Economic Development for the Sanford Area Growth Alliance. We asked him some questions to help you get to know him better. Learn more about Todd below!
Q: What aspects of serving on the NCEDA board do you find most fulfilling or meaningful?
A: It gives me the opportunity to hear different perspectives from different types of members on issues facing our industry.
Q: In what ways do you think economic development directly influences our communities?
A: The basics are expanding the tax base and providing job opportunities for your community’s citizens. Ultimately this allows our communities to grow and improve services and become a community where people want to work and enjoy their families and have a better quality of life.
Q: Reflecting on your career, what accomplishment or contribution has been particularly significant to you?
A: I worked on a Building Reuse Grant for a medical office in western Surry County that helped create a doctor’s office, urgent care, pharmacy and dental office. There were no medical services in that part of the county, or surrounding counties. The project itself was a small investment and job creator, but I think it had the biggest impact on the people in Surry and surrounding counties.
Q: Is there a personal or professional experience that has shaped who you are today, which you'd like to share?
A: I grew up in an economic development family, so it gives you a different perspective on economic development and the experiences that you have. I have also been fortunate to have that perspective and work at the state level, utility regional level, and at the local level. All of these organizations and people have had a big impact on me, and most of those people are or were members of NCEDA. I have had some great mentors and colleagues that have really shaped me along this economic development journey, and I am grateful for that.
Q: What do you appreciate most about the NCEDA?
A: Being able to network and share ideas with my colleagues and friends.
Learn more about Todd here: www.nceda.org/about/board