NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) announces that Jennifer Conoley has been selected as the organization’s new President & CEO.
FGNW, the regional economic development organization representing 12 counties across northwest Florida, embarked on a national executive search at the end of 2019 for a qualified professional to facilitate and oversee business development, marketing, advocacy efforts and regional collaboration for the organization.
“Jennifer is an accomplished leader in our industry with an intimate knowledge of northwest Florida,” said Scarlett Phaneuf, Chair of FGNW. “We are excited for Jennifer to take the helm, and look forward to celebrating many successes with her and the team.”
Conoley has over a decade of experience of practicing economic development across the region. For the past seven years, she has served as Senior Economic Development Project Manager at Gulf Power, and prior to that, worked at the local level with the Bay Economic Development Alliance in Panama City, Florida.
She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida State University and, in 2011, received her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board. In 2018, Conoley earned the prestigious designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council.
Last year, Conoley was recognized as one of “North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers” by Consultant Connect. In 2017, she was a recipient of 850 Magazine’s Pinnacle Award, which recognizes outstanding northwest Florida women in business, and was recognized as a “40 Under 40 – Rising Stars in Economic Development” by Development Counsellor’s International.
“Living in several parts of the region, from Port St. Joe to Pensacola to Panama City, created a deep-rooted passion for the area and seeing it prosper,” said Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our investors, partners and local economic development organizations, building off of FGNW’s rich 20-year history, and transforming it in a way that achieves unprecedented success.”
Her service to the area is demonstrated through her volunteer leadership as Chair of CareerSource Gulf Coast and Co-Chair of Alignment Bay County’s operating board. These are just two of the many economic development, workforce development and community-based organizations that she lends her time.
Jennifer lives in Panama City, Florida with her husband Kevin and their two boys, Braxton (7) and Chase (4).
About Florida’s Great Northwest
Florida’s Great Northwest, www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com, is the regional economic development organization for the Florida Panhandle. The organization is an investor‐supported 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation created to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and collaborate to improve regional competitiveness.
###
Florida was ranked 4th in Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index
Florida was ranked 4th in Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index.
Read More »
Florida's Great Northwest's Shane Chadwick Achieves International Economic Development Certification
Regional economic development professional, Shane Chadwick, who serves as business intelligence and marketing manager with Florida’s Great Northwest, has earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Read More »
Okaloosa County’s Shoal River Ranch Gigasite recognized with prestigious ‘Select Site’ distinction by CSX Railroad
Okaloosa County’s Shoal River Ranch Gigasite recognized with prestigious ‘Select Site’ distinction by CSX Railroad
Read More »
NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION GATHE RS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS IN TALLAHASSEE
Tallahassee, FL – This week, community leaders from the region’s 13 counties gathered in the State’s Capitol to support the legislators from Northwest Florida to demonstrate the commitment to their state leadership roles that are critical keys to the region’s success in economic competitiveness.
Read More »
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly Appoints Jennifer Conoley to the SelectFlorida Board of Directors
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly announced the first SelectFlorida Board of Directors, appointing Greg Britton, Jennifer Conoley, Beth Kigel, Nick Primrose, Michael Simas, Kelly Smallridge and Mark Wilson to the board.
Read More »
Florida's Great Northwest Hosts Top Site Location Consultants in Marianna
Florida's Great Northwest (FGNW) hosted four top site location consultants this month in Marianna, Florida as part of their ‘Beyond Our Beaches’ Site Selector Mission.
Read More »
Florida’s Great Northwest CEO Recognized as One of Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders
Northwest Florida – Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW), has been named to Florida Trend’s prestigious Florida 500 list. This annual list highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state of Florida. The editors of Florida Trend conducted a year-long research initiative resulting in a personal and engaging look at the state's most influential business leaders.
Read More »
SAVE THE DATES: Northwest Florida Days 2024
We kindly ask for you to please save the dates for our 2024 Northwest Florida Days events in Tallahassee during Florida’s Legislative Session: January 17th - 18th, 2024.
Read More »
Over 100 Regional Leaders Gather with Nationally Recognized Workforce and Data Strategist
Filling open positions with a qualified workforce is the number one site selection factor in many companies’ decisions about where to locate or expand. This workforce gap is found in nearly every city across the United States. While it’s not a unique program to our region, Florida’s Great Northwest and Opportunity Florida, regional economic development organizations in Northwest Florida, hosted an event to explore the truth in data and dispel myths related to workforce challenges.
Read More »
FLORIDA’S GREAT NORTHWEST FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF LEADERSHIP NORTHWEST FLORIDA CLASS II
Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) Foundation has selected its participants for Leadership Northwest Florida. Twenty-two leaders were selected to participate in Class II of the program focused on regional collaboration through community, content and connection.
Read More »
