Staff
Beth Kirkland, CEcD
Ms. Kirkland first joined the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County (EDC) in October 2002 as the Director of Partnership Development. During this time she managed a five-year capital campaign securing $2.5M of investment in enhanced economic development. She also implemented a comprehensive, nationally recognized program to serve the needs of existing industry in our region. This program joined economic and workforce development organizations in a goal of growing jobs, facilities and investment in Tallahassee’s local businesses resulting in more than $4 million of workforce training dollars and tax credits in its first year.
In May 2007, Kirkland was named the Executive Director of the EDC. Since then she has spearheaded efforts to create public/private partnerships with local governments to facilitate creative solutions for the business community. She also launched the “First Focus on Local Business” initiative providing retention and expansion support for local businesses, as well as providing resources for targeted-industry sectors. This initiative has led to existing employers, such as ACS, a Xerox Company; Event Photography Group; Danfoss Turbocor; and King Arthur’s Tools, making additional capital investments and creating additional jobs.
Under her leadership the EDC’s attraction efforts have also led to the relocation of new employers including Bing Energy; High Performance Magnetics; and SunnyLand, Solar Sink and the Solar Distributors of America; along with a full pipeline of projects.
Ms. Kirkland has a BS in Computer Science from University of Louisiana at Monroe and an MS in Engineering Systems Analysis from University of Central Florida. In 2009 she completed a certification in Economic Development (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. An alumnus of Leadership Tallahassee Class 17 and an eighteen-year resident of Tallahassee, Ms. Kirkland has served as the Chairman of the Board for the American Heart Association and President of The Tallahassee Ballet. She currently serves on the board of Florida’s Great Northwest, a 16 county regional economic development organization. Her two statewide posts include Chair-Elect for the Florida Economic Development Council and Tallahassee MSA representative on the Enterprise Florida Stakeholder’s Council. Beth is married and has three children.