John Rees Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

• Engaged in research and partnership development to identify barriers to economic mobility for low- and moderate-income individuals/communities.• Promote policy solutions that benefit workers, employers, and the places they call home. • Maintain a network of community development and research contacts focused on fostering economic mobility and resilience from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

• Managed economic development research initiatives for client communities throughout the US. Current clients include the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, Alabama Power, and the City of Charlotte. Previous clients include the Florida Chamber Foundation, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and the Greater Houston Partnership.• Managed economic development research initiatives for client communities throughout the US. Current clients include the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, Alabama Power, and the Centralina Council of Governments. Previous clients include the Florida Chamber Foundation, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and the Greater Houston Partnership.• Communicated research findings and share potential policy implications with local stakeholders such as city councils, government officials, business leaders, and non-profit representatives. Previous clients include the City of Charlotte, the City of Bellevue, and the City of Sugar Land. • Conducted quality of life examinations to identify potential areas of investment by leading non-profit organizations. Clients include the Heart of Florida United Way, Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, and the Miami Foundation.

Austin, Texas Area

• Craft comprehensive economic development strategies that identify core community assets and recommend policies to increase regional competitiveness. Past clients include Clarksville, TN and the Greater East End Management District (Houston, TX), Generation Park Management District (Houston, TX), Jonesboro, AR and Roanoke, VA• Annually update SXSW's Economic Impact Study on Austin, TX.• Craft sophisticated labor shed analysis and talent alignment studies for regions looking to close the talent gap. Previous clients include Stillwater, OK and Charleston, SC.• Provide expert advice to various media outlets, including the Austin American-Statesman and Trade & Industry Development.

Austin, Texas Area

• Managed the partnership between the Economic Development Administration and communities in Central Texas.• Provided economic development technical assistance for municipalities throughout the Texas capital region.• Advised public officials such as city managers, county judges, and city mayors on the demographic, industry, and educational dynamics of their communities.• Helped identify public financial tools that can be leveraged to fuel private investment in local jurisdictions.

• Monitored and analyzed regional, national, and international economic and demographic publications for strategic communication purposes.• Worked closely with Executive Director to establish strategic physical and digital research agenda.• Developed collateral marketing materials to highlight regional competitive assets and allied target industries, with an emphasis on technology-driven sectors.• Managed production of annual regional report, a compendium of the prevailing economic and demographic dynamics of Greater Washington in comparison to national benchmarks.• Spearheaded special research projects, including economic impact examinations for corporate members, requests for information from regional thought leaders, and community profiles for government officials.

• Developed economic impact analyses. Past projects include an economic impact study of the SXSW festival and an analysis of Galveston’s tourism industry.• Produced community assessments examining economic and demographic dynamics. Former clients include Detroit, MI and Morehouse University, Atlanta, GA.• Drafted proposals for requests for services, including economic impact analyses, economic development strategies, and target industry reports.• Led community focus groups with prominent political and business interests. Former clients include La Center, WA; Harris County, TX; Palestine, TX.• Established standard research protocols for employee use.

Master Of City & Regional Planning

Education record