The City of Norcross is pleased to announce that Chris Moder will join its team as the director of economic development where he will focus on attracting new businesses and assisting existing businesses expand in an effort to create jobs, generate capital investment and grow and diversify the existing tax base. In addition, Moder will provide support to other departments and services that enhance the area’s overall quality of life.
“We are excited to have someone of Chris’s talent and expertise to fill the very important role of director of economic development,” commented Norcross City Manager Rudolph Smith. “Chris brings a wealth of knowledge to the position both in the community and in the economic development field that will greatly benefit the city’s efforts to help create jobs and assist in business growth.”
Moder will be drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in community and economic development, business development, marketing and sales in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, this included 10 years with the University of Georgia and the Board of Regents in economic development as well as corporate and foundation relations. This followed a variety of roles in the electric utility industry and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, where he focused on business recruitment and expansion.
While with UGA, Moder was part of the state’s economic development team, charged with recruiting new businesses to Georgia, as well as supporting the expansion of existing businesses. Chris promoted community and economic development throughout the state by linking the needs of businesses, communities, and organizations with the resources of the University System of Georgia (USG) institutions. Once opportunities for engagement were identified, he facilitated access to talent, research expertise, facilities and other USG resources.
“I look forward to serving and assisting the many high caliber businesses within the City of Norcross,” said Moder. “In addition, it will be an honor to work alongside City of Norcross staff and citizens in building a stronger and more vibrant community to ensure a prosperous future for those that call Norcross home.”
Moder has also applied his passion and interest in youth education and mentoring by assisting in the development of school-community partnership programs including the Great Promise Partnership program and the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board’s Youth Committee. Moder was also appointed by the Governor to the State Rehabilitation Council, charged with supporting the mission of the Georgia Rehabilitation Agency to help persons with disabilities find meaningful employment and independent living.
In addition to earning a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech and a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, with honors, from the University of Georgia, programs of study were also completed in economic development at Georgia Tech and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Chris is also a graduate of the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute (GNLI) and has completed training in general/civil mediation.
Professional affiliations have included the following: the Georgia Economic Developers Association, Georgia Planning Association and American Institute of Certified Planners, Georgia Bio, Technology Association of Georgia, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Atlanta Regional Workforce Investment Board and Youth Committee, Metro Atlanta Chamber Industry Councils, and others.
Chris’ claim to fame is being the husband of his wife, Stephanie, and the father of his daughter, Allison (a graduate of Norcross High School and the University of Georgia). Chris serves as a Deacon at Perimeter Church. For recreation, if not in his Peachtree Corners home garden, he is most apt to be biking through area parks or hiking trails in the North Georgia Mountains.