Bowers poised to take over as Leon County’s director of economic vitality
By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer
An email that alerted city and county officials of Keith Bowers’ hire as the new director of the Office of Economic Vitality pointed throughout to why he is best for the job after being chosen from a competitive field of applicants.
It clearly is a job that Bowers is eager to get started. His first day is Aug. 29.
“This new position provides an opportunity to really use the full weight of the combined municipalities to bring about some opportunities for economic development in our community,” Bowers said. “It’s just being able to leverage the resources and being able to work in our community to try to move the needle for all segments of our municipalities.”
Bowers is leaving the Business Development Center at FAMU, where he was Regional Director for 12 years. At OEV, he will replace former director Cristina Paredes, who resigned two months ago.
Bowers was interviewed by five OEV members, including Ben Pingree, director of PLACE (Planning, Land Management, and Community Enhancement Department.)
“The evaluation committee’s recommendation was clear and we are excited about the forthcoming tenure of Keith in this important new role,” Pingree wrote in his email to the city and county governments.
Bowers mentioned an extensive list of business opportunities as his priorities. Among them is OEV’s arm that focuses on Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise, and using the International Airport to lure business to the area.
He said he would also like to plug in more with resources at FAMU and FSU, especially the benefits of having a MagLab, which he called a “unique asset.”
“The office of economic vitality is looking at everything and seeing how we can marshal all these resources to have some positive impact for all segments of our community,” Bowers said.
Work that OEV has done since its inception in 2016 puts it in a position to make major moves, Bowers said.
“I think that right now the community is poised to really amplify all that we have been working for so long to make Tallahassee part of the conversation,” he said, “send a message that Tallahassee-Leon County is a fruitful ground for you to plant your seeds.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
26-plus years of service within Tallahassee/Leon County, 12-plus years as the Regional Director of the FAMU SBDC, leading the following economic impact: During his tenure, he managed programs leading to the creation of 14,400 new jobs; increased business’ sales revenues by a cumulative $1.6 billion, leveraged $46 million in loan generation for local businesses, and facilitated the creation of 150-plus regional businesses. Additionally, Bowers has extensive focus/experience upon minority and small business development; distinguished extensive service as Captain in the US Army Reserves, chairman of the Joint City/County MWSBE Citizens Advisory Committee, and being a member of OEV’s Leadership Council.
