The trade group of industrial recruiters picked a new president who’s been in their shoes in attempting to woo employers to Savannah, Augusta and now St. Augustine.

The Georgia Economic Developers Association announced Monday it selected Kevin Shea to serve as president and CEO after an extensive search.

“We’re thrilled to bring Kevin back to Georgia, where we know his experience in economic development will take GEDA’s programming to the next level and his financial expertise will help us secure strong, sustainable footing,” said Angie Gheesling, chair of GEDA’s Board of Directors and executive director for the Houston County Development Authority.

Shea is associate vice president of investments at Raymond James in St. Augustine, and previously held senior posts for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Savannah Economic Development Authority, including serving a term as DEDA’s volunteer president.

“I’m so happy to be back home among old friends, but I’m mostly excited to take the helm of one of the leading organizations for economic development professionals in the southeastern U.S.,” he said.

The organization reached its 50-year milestone last year. Former President Mike Pennington resigned in January.