Niceville, FL – Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) is pleased to announce Mary McDaniel Swoope has joined the FGNW team as the Director for Strategic Initiatives.
As the regional economic development organization for Northwest Florida, FGNW is the leader in bringing together community leaders and stakeholders throughout the region to collaborate on economic development issues that improve the region’s competitiveness.
“Mary is an accomplished community and economic development professional and I’m delighted to welcome her to the team,” said Jennifer Conoley, FGNW President & CEO. “Her years of leadership and experience in economic development in the public and private sectors will be a tremendous asset as we work to take FGNW forward in 2021."
Swoope will be responsible for overseeing and advancing the regional strategy for economic transformation known as Northwest Florida FORWARD and identifying, developing and strengthening strategic partnerships and initiatives important to FGNW and the region. Swoope most recently served as the Executive Director and COO for Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC), a professional association of over 500 economic developers, chamber executives and stakeholders in Mississippi. As Executive Director, she worked to provide professional development for the organization’s members as well as promoting and advocating economic and community development in Mississippi. Prior to joining MEDC, Swoope was the Business Development Coordinator for Watkins & Eager PLLC in Jackson, MS, responsible for business outreach and marketing for the firm.
She has a wealth of experience in non-profits and education, serving as the Executive Director of Mississippi Alliance for School Health and the State Director for the Arkansas School-to-Work program. Swoope has also been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women. Swoope earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Mississippi State University and received her Institute of Organization Management certification through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
About Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc.
Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization representing the 12 counties in the Florida Panhandle: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington. The organization promotes Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, advocates for economic development issues that affect the region, and collaborates to improve the region’s business competitiveness. Learn more at FloridasGreatNorthwest.com and follow us at @FGNW.
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