HCDA Selects F.J. “Josh” Fenn as Final Candidate for Executive Director
Members of the Henry County Development Authority Board of Directors have announced F.J. “Josh” Fenn as the finalist for the Executive Director’s position with the community’s economic development agency.
“Our goal throughout this executive search process has been to find the most qualified professional in the economic development field that fits the needs of Henry County today and in the future,” according to Pierre Clements, Chair of the Authority and district five representative. “Josh has the experience, contacts and knowledge of the industry to move our community forward in terms of diversification of businesses and developing an economic development strategy for the future.”
Fenn currently serves as Director of Business Development for ECS Southeast, LLP which has a subsidiary in Marietta, Georgia. He has served in this role since January 2016. The company’s key lines of business include environmental, geotechnical, construction materials testing and facilities services. Fenn previously held the President/Chief Executive Officer and director of economic development positions with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson, Georgia. He also served in top leadership positions with the Development Authority of Bryan County in Pembroke, Georgia; Eastman-Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce in Eastman, Georgia; and with the Downtown Waycross Development Authority in Waycross, Georgia.
As a graduate of LaGrange College, Fenn is extremely active in the Georgia Economic Developers Association, Southern Economic Development Council, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties – Georgia Chapter, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors – Georgia Chapter. He is currently completing his final courses to become a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council. The certification is the highest earned designation in the economic development field.
“The opportunity to become a member of the economic development team in Henry County is very exciting for me and my family,” says Fenn. “I plan to be an active member of the community as well as the professional who serves as the point of contact for new industrial and office type businesses looking to locate in the area. I believe my contacts throughout the southeast with economic development project managers and site consultants will serve as a solid foundation for the development authority. Economic development is a journey and Henry County is recognized as a leader in the metro Atlanta region.”
Fenn and his wife, Janell, and their two daughters currently live in Newnan, Georgia.
Georgia law requires a minimum 14-day waiting period from the time a candidate has been selected as the finalist to when a public authority can vote to offer an employment agreement to the candidate. The Development Authority is expected to finalize the deal with Fenn in late August. His anticipated start date is September 1.
The Executive Director’s seat became vacant in May of this year when Leonard Sledge was selected as head of the City of Richmond’s Department of Economic Development in Virginia.
Members of the Development Authority, in addition to Clements, include Casey Crumbley, David Linton, Charles Mobley and Reggie Sylvain. Other members of the authority’s professional staff include Leah Brown, Director of Marketing and Existing Industry and Terry Collins, Executive Assistant.
About the Henry County Development Authority. The Henry County Development Authority was created in 1967 by a local amendment to the Georgia Constitution. The board consists of five members, representing the five geographic commissioner districts within the county. The mission of the Henry County Development Authority is to promote economic development in Henry County through the attraction of new investment and jobs and the retention and expansion of existing industries.
About The Chason Group. The executive search for Fenn was conducted by The Chason Group, an executive search firm specializing in economic development, chambers of commerce, tourism, foundations and other non-profit organizations.