Nathan Tafoya Wins 40 Under 40 Award in Economic Development
Mount Pleasant, TEXAS – Nathan Tafoya, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation has been announced as a recipient of the 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry.
The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development professionals and site selection consultants evaluated a record-number of 200-plus nominees.
“This past year has demonstrated the importance of economic development in building and sustaining resilient communities,” said Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “I’m especially impressed by the diverse perspectives and skillsets of this year’s winners as they lead communities to prioritize new ways of thinking, building inclusive and equitable economies, and bringing an attitude of fresh new ideas to the challenges in the industry. The economic development future is bright with these young leaders.”
“We are lucky to have Nathan and his family here in our community. This award indicates others in his field recognize his considerable talents,” said Erman Hensel, EDC Board President. “Nathan is creative and unorthodox. He has a knack for seeing the obscure and is a tenacious change agent. Our Board thinks very highly of him and we appreciate his efforts to attract and retain businesses and investment in Mount Pleasant.”
Nathan holds an MBA and earned his Certified Economic Developer accreditation in 2019 from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). In 2020, he taught classes and spoke as a panelist for both the IEDC and Texas Economic Development Council, respectively. He and his wife, Bonnie, have four children. Nathan’s family relocated to Mount Pleasant, TX in June 2018.
“The economic development industry is in good hands with these rising leaders,” said Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal of Jorgenson Consulting, Inc. “The communities they represent—from Tuxpan, Mexico to Covington, Kentucky to Québec, Canada—are fortunate to have the smart, innovative ideas of this year’s winners.”
DCI and Jorgenson officially announced the winners last night (March 16, 2021) at a virtual awards reception held in conjunction with the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit.
For more information on the 40 Under 40 awards program and this year’s winners, visit econdev40under40.com.
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About MPEDC
The City of Mount Pleasant, Texas Industrial Development Corporation, dba Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation’s (MPEDC) Mission is to promote economic development in the City of Mount Pleasant and Titus County by supporting initiatives designed to increase jobs and private investment primarily in the manufacturing sector through real property development, workforce education and infrastructure extension. The organization is organized under the Texas Municipal Code as a Type A Economic Development Corporation.
MPEDC exists to promote Mount Pleasant as a premier location for business, targeting key industries that provide high wage jobs and future sustainability for the community. MPEDC is the primary point of contact for existing businesses and prospective businesses, site selectors, developers, and community stakeholders to obtain technical expertise and support services necessary to properly evaluate business opportunities in the city.
About DCI
Considered the leader in marketing places, Development Counsellors International (DCI) specializes in economic development and tourism marketing. The agency has designed integrated marketing campaigns for more than 500 cities, regions, states and countries since it was established in New York City in 1960. Services include public relations, branding, research, websites, paid media, and talent attraction. www.aboutdci.com
About Jorgenson Consulting
Founded in 1992, Jorgenson Consulting has worked diligently over the past 29 years to establish itself as a premier national executive search firm. With a focus on the fields of non-profit, economic and community development, we partner with our clients to help them identify and secure the highest caliber of executive talent. Our goal is to develop a thorough understanding of our clients and leverage that knowledge with our own expertise and resources to source executive talent that can truly serve the organization by yielding economic benefits while also contributing to a community’s competitive advantage. www.jci-inc.net
