LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2012) — Greater Louisville Inc. announced today that Craig J. Richard will become the business leadership organization’s new president and CEO, effective Jan. 7.
Richard comes to GLI from the Greater Houston Partnership, where he has been serving as its chief economic development officer since 2008.
“The search committee is extremely confident with our choice of Craig as the new leader for Greater Louisville Inc.,” said Jeff Bringardner, president of Humana-Kentucky and chair of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Board of Directors and the GLI Search Committee. “His strong leadership experience and track record of economic development success are an ideal fit for the type of candidate we were seeking to lead GLI’s growth strategy.”
GLI began its search for a new CEO earlier this year with the departure of Joe Reagan, who left to lead the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. A search committee made up of a cross-section of business and community leaders representing the many constituencies GLI serves was formed, and a search firm – Jorgenson & Associates – was hired to assist the committee. A thorough and inclusive search process followed and included input from community and business leaders, GLI stakeholders and members. Richard was selected from a group of three finalists.
“We are very excited to welcome Craig and his family to Louisville and to GLI,” said Tracee Troutt, interim president and CEO of GLI. “The Greater Houston Partnership is highly regarded as best-in-class and we believe Craig’s background and personal qualities will be a great fit with our community and the GLI team.”
Richard has more than 16 years of economic development and chamber leadership experience, including positions with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Greater Dallas and Arlington, Texas, Chambers of Commerce. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Richard also is a certified economic developer from the International Economic Development Council.
“It’s a great honor to be named the next president and CEO of GLI, an organization with an outstanding reputation serving a community known for its “anything is possible” spirit,” Richard said. “I’m excited about working with the GLI team, members and community leaders in realizing Louisville’s amazing potential.”
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