Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that the Invest Atlanta board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD as the permanent President and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm. The vote was held during the regularly scheduled meeting of the board. Dr. Klementich has previously served as Interim President and CEO, as well as Managing Director of Business Development and has worked with Invest Atlanta for four years.

“Dr. Eloisa Klementich is the right person to lead Invest Atlanta and build on our success,” said Mayor Reed. “Dr. Klementich has served the City of Atlanta in an exemplary fashion, and has earned our confidence and our trust. Over the past four years, Dr. Klementich has been involved in nearly every economic development win for our city. I believe that under her leadership, Invest Atlanta will continue to bring new companies, investment and jobs to the City of Atlanta.”

Dr. Klementich had been one of three finalists for the role identified in a national search conducted by Jorgensen Consulting, on behalf of Invest Atlanta. As Managing Director, Klementich led efforts to recruit multiple businesses to invest in or relocate to the City of Atlanta, and was responsible for bringing thousands of new jobs to the city.

"It is truly an honor to be asked by the Invest Atlanta board, chaired by Mayor Reed, to serve the City of Atlanta and its communities in this capacity,” said Dr. Klementich. “In this new role, my priority will be to make Atlanta one of the most globally competitive cities equipped to succeed in the 21st century economy."

Previously, Klementich served as special assistant for economic development at the U.S. Economic Development Administration in the Office of the Secretary. She served as California’s assistant deputy secretary for economic development and commerce, and has held various roles with city governments, including the consultant for Mexico’s President Vicente Fox, working on best practices for addressing constituent issues and requests.

Klementich holds a bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College and a master’s degree in business administration from el Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey. She holds two master’s degrees in urban planning and Latin American affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her doctorate degree in public administration from the University of LaVerne.