40 Under 40 Selection Committee

As president and CEO of Global Location Strategies, Didi sets the strategic direction of the firm. Her focus is ensuring GLS lives up to its mission to match companies and communities for mutual, sustainable prosperity. Under her leadership, GLS has become a world leader in site selection and incentive negotiation services and has been named to the Inc 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list twice. Didi has dedicated more than two decades to guiding companies on their location strategy, with an expertise in large manufacturing and heavy industrial projects. While working as an intern for Fluor Daniel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she had a chance encounter that would change the direction of her career forever. After seven years as a Principal with Fluor, Didi led the spin-out of the site consulting practice to what is now Global Location Strategies.

She is a proud member of the prestigious Site Selectors Guild, the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Didi was the first female chairperson of the organization and is now serving as Chair of the Guild’s new Site Readiness Program. Didi holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Clemson University and an international MBA from the University of South Carolina’s prestigious Darla Moore School of Business. Didi speaks Spanish and is a proud citizen of both the United States and Australia.

Didi’s Advice to Economic Developers:

If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. Have a vision for yourself and for your organization that provides a destination. You may have many twists, turns, and setbacks on your journey, but the clarity of knowing what you want will provide direction and purpose.

Garry Clark, Jr’s career in economic and community development has evolved over the last 18 years, beginning as a city planner in Newberry, Florida, following this, he served as an economic development specialist in Bowie, Maryland (Prince Georges County), then served as the first Executive Director of the North Capitol Main Street organization in Washington, D.C.; to his most recent role serving as the President & CEO at Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC). Which is the county’s economic development and countywide chamber organization. During this tenure, Clark rebranded EASC, moved staff size from 7 to 18, and created a chamber partnership to umbrella the organization to support smaller chambers, EASC also received the 2023 NAACP Civic Leadership Award for his efforts to create an equity and inclusion chamber of commerce.  Clark was recently announced as the new CEO of PartnerTulsa.  He will direct and manage operations for the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (aka PartnerTulsa) – the City of Tulsa’s economic development organization and the Tulsa Development Authority, advancing organizational missions to increase shared prosperity and racial equity.

A few of Clark’s career highlights are: WholeStone Foods (Pork) Acquisition and Expansion $300 million 1,000 workers, in Fremont, Nebraska; Local Option Sales Tax/ New Market Tax Credit expansion of RTG (Traveling Nurses) Headquarters project $40 million; Canadian Company – No Meat Factory – relocation to Stanwood, WA $200 million dollar project; Amazon Facility – $355 million – 4,000 acre mega site – Arlington, WA; Housing – creation of a revolving loan fund for workforce housing which created planned 2,000 units of housing in one year – Fremont, Nebraska. Clark also led two separate revolving loan funds for housing that secured $10 million in housing funds through Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and the Greater Fremont Development Council in Fremont, Nebraska.

Clark also served as the first economic development director in Cuming County, Nebraska for 6 years while serving a dual role as the county’s Zoning administrator. This county was the top cattle feeding county in the state. Clark also served as the National President for the National Rural Economic Developer’s Association in 2021. In late, 2018, Clark was awarded the Midland Business Journal’s 40 under 40 award for his aggressive workforce housing efforts in Fremont, Nebraska. Clark has served as a community columnist for the Omaha World Hearld, and travels nationally to speak on economic development, motivation, and Inclusion, as a keynote speaker/instructor for many economic development organizations. Clark received his BA in Sociology from Dana College, Blair, N.E. and his Master of Science in Urban Studies/Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Although his Alma mater (Dana College) is no more, Clark was inducted into the Dana College Hall of Fame for Track and Field in 2010 and received the Outstanding Young Alum Award in 2018. He holds 11 records (most ever in the school’s history) and was the first male National Champion for Dana College. In early 2019, Clark published his first work as a published author, with the memoir, Unlikely Viking – From the D.C. Projects to Rural Nebraska.  Clark completed a TedxOmaha Talk at Creighton University in 2019, his talk was titled, “Running shoes, Food stamps, and Cornfields “, the talk can be found on YouTube.

Garry’s Advice to Economic Developers:

Relish the opportunity to make a tremendous impact by the very ripples made in the economic development field. Remember you have the talent, but the passion for this work and the relationships built, will be the foundation of your impact and success. Be humble. Be grateful for the opportunity to change lives for the better.

Sean Mikula is the Founder and CEO of POWER 10, one of the nation’s leading capital campaign management firms. POWER 10 specializes in campaigns to fund economic and community development programs at the city, county, region, and state levels, and is equally adept at managing first-time campaigns and “renewal” campaigns to fund second and subsequent programs.

In his 20 years in the industry, Sean has managed 100+ campaigns and raised more than $500 million for clients such as the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce (CO), Greater Seattle Partners (WA), the Gwinnett Chamber (GA), Greater Louisville Inc. (KY), the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce (TX), and the Van Wert Business Development Corporation (OH).

Part of what distinguishes Sean in the marketplace is his substantial leadership / operations and legal background.  After leadership training and opportunity at West Point, Sean served five years as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer departing with the rank of Captain and having served in overseas and domestic assignments.  He went on to attend the University of Georgia School of Law and legal practice at an Atlanta firm before finding himself – by “happy accident’ – in nonprofit consulting. These experiences have provided Sean with a particular set of skills that make him adept at navigating challenging client community situations, getting the right “players” on board, and getting them moving in the same direction toward mission success.

Sean is active with state, regional and national associations in the chamber and economic development industry and is a member of the Rotary Club of Buckhead (Atlanta, GA) and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber.

Sean resides in Atlanta with his pup, Mac – AKA: “Big Mac Attack.” In his free time, Sean enjoys pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne.

Sean’s Advice to Economic Developers:

One piece of advice for rising stars in the economic development industry is to lean into DATA that illuminates your community’s or region’s economic health. If you consistently and transparently track core indicators of economic health (incomes and talent-related, etc.), and compare these to pacesetting peers, you will bring accountability to your community’s collective economic development efforts and establish yourself as an authority on same.

Marvin J. Price is the Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, representing Guilford County and Greensboro. With an impressive track record, Price has steered initiatives resulting in over $15 billion in capital investment and the generation of more than 9,900 jobs.

At the forefront of economic development, Marvin collaborates with corporate leaders, site selectors, and developers, spearheading major triumphs such as Toyota Battery Manufacturing, Proctor & Gamble, Boom Supersonic, and Krispy Kreme, among others. His strategic partnerships and visionary approach have also fostered successes with Marshall Aerospace, HondaJet, Honeywell, and more.

Prior to his pivotal role in Greensboro, Price served as Vice President of Economic Recruitment for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, transforming opportunities across a dynamic 15-county region. His impactful tenure included significant contributions at Spire, a leading natural gas utility, and as a Project Manager for the Birmingham Business Alliance, where his efforts secured $250 million in investments and 2,000 jobs.

Marvin’s commitment and achievements have earned him numerous industry and professional accolades:

• 2024: Recognized on the Business North Carolina Power List
• 2024: Mid-Size Deal of the Year from the North Carolina Economic Development Association
• 2023: North Carolina Economic Development Association’s Economic Developer of the Year Award  2021: DCI 40 Under 40 in Economic Development
• 2020: Consultant Connect Top 50 Economic Developers Award  2019: DCI 40 Under 40 in Economic Development
• 2018: Consultant Connect Top 50 Economic Developers Award
• 2018: North Carolina Economic Development Association’s Emerging Executive Award

Price holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montevallo and a master’s degree in community planning from Auburn University. His expertise, leadership, and dedication continue to drive economic success and job creation in the communities he serves.

With an unwavering commitment to driving economic prosperity, Marvin Price continues to redefine success and inspire growth within the communities he serves.

Marvin’s Advice to Economic Developers:

Ask for the tough assignments—there’s no way to learn this profession by sitting on the sidelines. Research and read everything you can about economic development to bridge the gap between what you know and what you need to learn. Lastly, find a mentor to bounce ideas off and ensure you’re moving your career in the right direction. I have several mentors, and I am where I am today because of them.

Josh Wright is EVP of Growth at Lightcast, the leading provider of labor market data and insights. He works on thought leadership and strategic business development for the company’s Education & Government division. He previously served as EVP and GM of the economic and workforce development division at Lightcast, where he led his team through the merger of Emsi and Burning Glass Technologies in 2021 and the acquisitions of Gazelle.ai and eIMPACT in 2023.

Josh is a former journalist who started at Emsi in 2008. He has served in different marketing, professional services, and executive roles for the Idaho-based company.

In 2004, Josh graduated from the University of Idaho with bachelor degrees in journalism and history. He’s worked full time or as a freelance sports writer for several newspapers, magazines, and the Associated Press. He enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and three children.

Josh’s Advice to Economic Developers:

Find a mentor or two and soak up their wisdom. In any field — especially one as complicated and competitive as economic development — it pays to have mentors and advisors who are at least 5-10 ahead of you in your career. At least one of those mentors should be someone not affiliated with your organization so you can be totally free to talk about your career trajectory and challenges/opportunities.