Mayor Kasim Reed has named Craig J. Richard as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Invest Atlanta, the economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Richard has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Greater Louisville Inc., where he developed their strategic plan, and coordinated 32 projects that created 3,854 jobs and $571 million in capital investment. 

“It’s an exciting time for the City of Atlanta, where we are experiencing dynamic growth in our construction sector as well as consistently attracting new businesses,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Craig J. Richard is uniquely qualified to lead Invest Atlanta as we continue to grow our economy, create jobs and retain the businesses who already call Atlanta home.” 

Prior to joining Greater Louisville Inc., Richard served as Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Chief Economic Development Officer at Greater Houston Partnership. Richard also served as Director of Economic Development for the Dallas Regional Chamber, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Arlington, Tex. Chamber of Commerce, and Chief Operating Officer for Hawes Hill Calderon, a consulting firm that specializes in the establishment and administration of special purpose economic development districts. For nearly twenty years, Richard has held consequential leadership roles in multiple major cities, helping to recruit dozens of businesses and secure billions of dollars in capital investment. 

“This was a competitive process, so I am honored to have been selected out of a group of extremely qualified candidates. I look forward to working with Mayor Kasim Reed and the Board to bring jobs and investment to Atlanta,” said Richard.

Richard received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Houston and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Richard is also a Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council.

Richard was one of three finalists selected by Mayor Reed following a national search conducted on behalf of Invest Atlanta by Atlanta-based Jorgensen Consulting.