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HomeNewsClarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council announces Cal Wray as New Executive Director

Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council announces Cal Wray as New Executive Director

Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development CouncilClarksville, TN – The Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee Economic Development Council (EDC) Executive Board is excited to announce they have received commitment from Cal Wray, 35, of Dublin, GA, to assume the reins as the Executive Director.

The EDC was established in 1996, and currently promotes economic growth and development of Clarksville-Montgomery County.

New EDC Executive Director Cal Wray.
New EDC Executive Director Cal Wray.

The EDC also enhances and supports its member entities, the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Chamber of Commerce. Wray was unanimously selected from 65 applicants after a nationwide search.

Wray currently serves as the President of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority (DLCDA), a position he filled in July 2010. While there, he has played a key role in job creation and economic development for Laurens County and its municipalities, to include Caldwell, Dexter, Dublin, Dudley, East Dublin, Montrose and Rentz. Laurens County and its surrounding area boast a population of over 150,000 residents, and is approximately 55 miles southeast of Macon, GA. It is centrally located between Atlanta and Savannah, GA.

Wray’s experience and inviting personality were an integral part of him becoming the final candidate for the EDC Executive Director position. Prior to his three-and-a-half years as President of the DLCDA, Wray served as Vice President of Economic Development at the DLCDA.

During his tenure there, Wray’s efforts have been focused on aiding existing industries, recruitment of new industries, incentives negotiations, as well as oversight of management and marketing. His time at the DLCDA has seen phenomenal changes for Laurens County, with over $290 million in direct capital investment, the expansion and addition of 43 companies and over 1,200 direct, new jobs for the community.

“We selected our top candidate, who possessed the most important qualifications for our new Executive Director position,” said Kay Drew, Chairman of the EDC. “Cal brings energy and a strong collaborative spirit to our public/private partnership. He has a dynamic personality and his work experiences will be a great asset for the Clarksville-Montgomery County community.”

Drew also stated that the EDC Executive Director’s position attracted many high caliber candidates but Wray’s communication skills, wisdom, education and experience set him apart from the other applicants. Wray has accomplished a great deal in his most recent position, and he brings the know-how, disposition and drive to continue our success here in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Wray not only comes to the table with a strong economic background, he also already has ties with the Clarksville-Montgomery County and Fort Campbell communities. He holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University and a Masters degree in International Affairs from Georgia Tech.

He is an active member of the Southern Economic Development Council, International Economic Development Council and the Georgia Economic Developers Association, where he is currently the Chairman for the Development Authority Executives Committee.

He and his wife, Leigh, have three sons and two daughters, with a new addition due in May. They’re involved in their local community, church activities and youth and children’s programs. His extended family even includes a Fort Campbell soldier, so the mission of Fort Campbell is one that is important to him. Wray and his family are planning on calling Clarksville home in the next few weeks and he is slated to begin his position at the EDC no later than March 31st.

“My family and I are excited to join such a vibrant and dynamic community. We look forward to immersing ourselves into Clarksville-Montgomery County as we explore all it has to offer,” said Wray in prepared comments. “The Clarksville-Montgomery County EDC has accomplished impressive things and I hope to add to, and grow, the endeavors that so many have poured their hearts into. Ultimately, I hope to bring a different perspective to Clarksville and to help form the next wave of innovation in the community.”

In this role, Wray will be the leader of the EDC and is responsible for facilitating, promoting and ensuring economic development in Clarksville-Montgomery County. He will also be tasked with securing opportunities for economic growth and business development, all while increasing employment opportunities and population countywide.

The Executive Director also serves as the Director of the Aspire Clarksville Foundation, a privately funded, non-profit organization that helps to fund the initiatives of the EDC and its member entities. In Wray’s newly named, EDC Executive Director position he will be earning an annual salary of $120,000.

The EDC Executive Director position was posted on national-level career and professional organization sites, with the intent of drawing a pool of highly qualified and competitive applicants from all over the country. The mission of the selection committee was a clear and concise one.

To recruit the best candidate and fill the position quickly and proficiently, so the work of the EDC could continue uninterrupted. The selection committee was comprised of: Kay Drew, Don Jenkins, Carolyn Pierce, Jeff Truitt, Geno Grubbs, John Wallace Crow and Charles Foust, Jr. Each of these individuals serves as representatives on the boards of the EDC partner agencies.

“I want to personally thank the selection committee, as well as the Aspire Board and both Mayor Bowers and Mayor McMillan for their time, support, and commitment in this effort,” said Drew. “It was a smooth process due to the committee being so diligent in finding the right candidate. The decision was an easy one, I know Cal will be an excellent asset to our community.”

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